It’s known as “The Game,” the Panhandle’s greatest rivalry, and for the sixth year in a row and the 12th time in the past 13 years, it belongs to Choctaw. The Indians beat Fort Walton Beach 49-13, and Head Coach Frank Beasley moved to 6-0 all-time against the Vikings.
- “Proud of our guys, we didn’t play really well in the first half, but that’s what happens when you’ve got two days of prep, but we’ll get back on schedule next week,” Beasley said. “Proud of our guys. We came back really well in the second half.”
The game began as a defensive slugfest, with neither team able to figure out the other. Toward the end of the first quarter, it was Choctaw that struck first. The Indians got several good runs from Von’Tavious Keller before Baker Giles hit Ryne Burks for a big gain, and Keller took it in on a 17-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0 Choctaw.
The Indians got the ball back soon after and moved it on good runs from Dante Whidbee and Carter Marracco, but the Vikings came up with a fumble recovery to end the drive. Fort Walton Beach had to punt soon after, and the Choctaw offense went back to work. Giles hit Noah Calderon, who took it all the way to the end zone on a one-play scoring drive to make it 14-0.
Choctaw’s defense held again on the next Vikings possession, and Whidbee ripped off a long touchdown run to push the lead to 21-0.
From there, Fort Walton Beach’s offense found its footing. Cannon Wilbur, starting at quarterback in place of an injured Lavin McDaniel, went to work. The Vikings were aided by a personal foul on Choctaw, and Carlos White ripped off a long run deep into Choctaw territory. A pass interference penalty on Choctaw moved Fort Walton Beach closer to the end zone, and Wilbur kept it himself for a touchdown.
- The Indians put together a decent drive before halftime, but it ended with a Fort Walton Beach interception, leaving the score at 21-7 Choctaw heading into the half.
Out of the break, the Vikings picked up a first down on the ground and another on a Wilbur pass to Logan Smith, but Choctaw’s defense stopped the drive. Choctaw’s offense responded. Giles hit Marracco for a first down and Whidbee added a run before Giles found Calderon for his second touchdown of the night, making it 28-7.
“He did really well, he’s starting to build a really good relationship with his quarterback,” Beasley said.
“I had [a] dropped pass and I had to make up for it, second drive, third drive I caught a touchdown and we kept moving,” Calderon added.
The Vikings answered. Wilbur ripped off a scramble deep into Choctaw territory, and with help from a key pass interference penalty on Choctaw in the end zone, he kept it himself for his second touchdown of the night. Choctaw blocked the extra point, making it 28-13.
The Indians needed just one play to respond, as Whidbee broke a long touchdown run to make it 35-13. On the next drive, Choctaw’s defense forced a punt to give the ball back to its offense. Whidbee had another good run, and Giles hit DJ Spence for a touchdown to make it 42-13.
Choctaw then recovered a fumble, and a few plays later Keller found the end zone for his second touchdown of the night, triggering the running clock.
“Our O-line, they juiced it up, and Von and Dante started running really well,” Beasley said.
“I give all the kudos to the O-line. They did their thing,” Whidbee added.
Neither team scored again, and Choctaw closed out the 49-13 win.
Choctaw finishes the regular season 7-2 and currently sits as the No. 4 seed in Class 4A. It will play either Mosley or Ed White.
“We don’t get involved in all of that, we’ll just play who we’re supposed to play,” Beasley said.
Fort Walton Beach finishes the year 3-7 in the second year of the Josh Pulliam era. The Vikings say goodbye to several seniors, including Wilbur, White, Micah Johnson, Dantay Walker, Jeffery King and Eli Crozier. McDaniel, Elijah Donson, Smith, TyShaun Montgomery, Landon McKuhen and Jrue Lee headline the returners for next season.
