Choctawhatche holds off Escambia in key 3S-D1 showdown

Host Indians are now in the driver's seat for a District championship

FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA – The Choctawhatchee Indians held off the the visiting Escambia Gators, 24-20, in a pivotal 3S District 1 match-up, Friday night, denying the Gators a chance to go 3-0 in the district play and 6-1 overall.

The game started off slow with each team trading blows defensively.

The first points of the night came when Choctaw quarterback, Jesse Winslette, rolled out of the pocket and found Aaron Rowell on a crossing route to make it 7-0. After the Indians touchdown, Escambia drove down the field in an attempt to tie the game before the end of the quarter. Much to the dismay of the Gators, Choctaw forced and recovered a fumble moments before the end of the first quarter.

Later in the second quarter, Escambia kept shooting itself in the foot with costly penalties and Choctaw took advantage of this. Winslette orchestrated an impressive drive which ended with him scoring a rushing touchdown on a quarterback power to make it 14-0. The Gators got the ball back looking to cut into the deficit, but Choctaw recovered their second fumble of the game, setting the Indians up inside the Gators own 30, and Choctaw came away with three points to make it 17-0.

With under three minutes left before halftime, Escambia made its first big play of the game. Winslette ran up the middle, and in the chaos of being tackled, a Gators defender stripped the ball out for a forced fumble, recovered it, and ran it in for a touchdown. The extra point was no good, and Choctaw led 17-6. Escambia managed to find the endvzone for the second time before half when Gators running back, Dorrion White, scored his first rushing touchdown of the game.

Choctaw's Jonathan Boyd runs behind his offensive line in the Indians district victory over Escambia / Photo by Reed Green

Halfway through the third quarter, Escambia was attempting to take their first lead of the game, but Choctaw forced their third turnover of the game. This time it was senior defensive back, Jonathan Boyd, who made an interception in the end zone. The rest of the quarter remained uneventful, and the score was still 17-13 heading into the fourth.

Escambia took its first lead of the game when quarterback, Anthony Hall, scrambled and found White in the flats, who ran it in for his second touchdown of the game. The Gators also made a huge defensive stop on the next possession when they forced a turnover on downs when Choctaw attempted a pass out of the punting formation which fell incomplete.

It appeared that Escambia was going to improve to 6-1 and 3-0 in district play on the season, but Choctaw came up with one of its biggest plays of the season. On 2nd and 10 on their own 42-yard line, Winslette connected with his receiver on a fly route and completed a 58-yard touchdown pass to take a 24-20 lead with 1:13 remaining in the game. This proved to be the difference, and Choctaw escaped with a crucial district win.

Penalties stall Escambia’s offense

Coming into Friday night’s game, Escambia has been all but flawless in the past three games by outscoring their opponents 109-0. The Gators looked to continue this momentum, but they ran into a slew of problems offensively for most of the game. Escambia turned the ball over three times which was one of the reasons, but the Gators were also plagued with penalties throughout the game.

There were numerous times throughout where the offense would be driving down the field only to be slowed by holding or delay of game penalties. This set the offense behind and caused them to be out of rhythm throughout the game. The Gators will have to clean this up and improve upon this as they play at Pine Forest next week in their final district game of the season.

Indians defense frustrates Gators

The Indians defense answered the call in Friday night’s game only allowing two offensive touchdowns to the Gators. Escambia entered the game averaging 36 points-per-game over their previous three games, but they had a difficult time figuring out Choctaw’s defense.

The three turnovers that Choctaw forced proved to be the difference in the game because Escambia fumbled the ball inside the red zone and threw an interception in the endvzone as well.

Choctaw’s front seven also pressured the Gators quarterback all night long and had some huge sacks and tackles for loss. Finally, when it mattered the most, the Indians defense stepped up again forcing a turnover-on-downs with under one minute remaining in the game.

Jesse Winslette steps up in the Spotlight

Star running back, Cole Tabb, did not play in Friday night’s game, but that did not make Winslette and the Indians offense fold under the pressure. Behind his three touchdown performance, Choctaw moved into first place in the district.

Winslette said, “It was huge man. You know getting on the board first. That’s a big deal in a game like this. It was super back and forth the whole game, and getting on the board first was really important.”

Choctaw quarterback Jesse Wiinslette stepped up with a big performance for his team in its victory over Escambia / Photo by Reed Green

Later in the game with just over a minute left, Winslette made one of the biggest throws of the season to give Choctaw the lead and ultimately the win.

“Hey you know, it was, coach drew up a beauty of a play. You know, we motioned a guy across, safety went and we just threw it to the backside for a touchdown,” Winslette said.

Choctaw will look to improve to 6-2 on the season next week when they travel to take on district foe, Booker T. Washington High School.

Photo by Reed Green

Photo by Reed Green

Photo by Reed Green

Photo by Reed Green