Choctaw gets first win; Niceville falls to Mosley
· Yahoo Sports
PACE — Sitting 0-2, there was never any panic for Choctaw football.
A Final 4 campaign in 2025 and four straight region finals appearances affords a program a certain kind of confidence in its clubhouse culture no matter the graduating seniors and new transfers, and on Friday the Big Green's patience paid off in a gutsy, come-from-behind 21-14 win at a Pace program ranked sixth in 5A.
Visit turconews.click for more information.
Choctaw's defense shined against a vaunted Pace rushing attack, Carter Marracco ran for two scores and both of Choctaw's new additions at quarterback made plays in a game-winning, 75-yard drive that culminated in Baker Giles' 42-yard touchdown throw to Oregon State commit Amir Reese with 1:44 left to play.
"Our kids are resilient," Choctaw coach Frank Beasley said. "We understand and our program understands it's a long season and you have to prepare yourself. We have some pieces that didn't play much last year, some new people who have come in and people are jelling together and we're figuring out what we're good at. You try to do that in summer and you try to do that in fall camp but you can never replicate game reps. It's so important, and when you get in-game reps against the Mosleys and Auburn, Alabamas and the Paces, there's not a lot of time to test things out. You gotta figure out quickly what you can do and I'm just glad we came out on top tonight.
"This game could've gone either way. I was reflecting back earlier, last time we played Pace at our place three years ago they kicked a field goal with no time left to win, and the year before that it came down to the last five minutes of the game, and the year before that we upset them here on the last drive. So we know coming into this place it's going to be extremely difficult. It's an emotional night for them and they did an outstanding job. Credit to him. They had a lot of injuries and their kids are really resilient and tough."
The comeback started with 2:42 left to play and Choctaw trailing 14-13 after a Makael Williams' 60-yard touchdown run. A pair of Carter Marracco touchowns had staked the Big Green to leads of 7-0 and 13-7, but a botched extra point proved the difference. Enter Isaiah Collins, who found Noah Calderon for a 33-yard connection up the right sideline to the Pace 42 yard line. But it came at a cost, Collins limping off the field to set the stage for former starting quarterback Giles to enter the game.
Instead of eating the clock for a field goal with a dosage of Marracco, Choctaw put the game on Giles' right arm. Correction, Giles' cold right arm that hadn't thrown a pass all night. Nevertheless, Giles fired a perfect strike to Reese, who high-pointed the grab at the goal line and fell into the end zone to give the Big Green a 19-14 lead.
Two plays, 75 yards, just 58 seconds off the clock. A Marracco two-point conversion later, Choctaw led 21-14 with 1:44 left to play.
"Our guys are starting to figure it out, which is good because we're only going to continue to get better," Beasley said. "That's how our program's built. We have a plan for everything we do. Sometimes it's not how we draw it up but we're going to make sure we figure it out and stay with it."
Choctaw next travels to District 1-4A foe Escambia (1-1) on Sept. 11.
Mosley 28, Niceville 9
Death, taxes, and Mosley football beating Niceville ... those are the only constants in life.
Well, that's an exaggeration of course, but it feels that way after Niceville (1-2) losing four straight years to Tommy Joe Whiddon's crew.
JP Holsombake threw for two touchdowns and Sam Chisolm rushed for a pair of scores to lift the Dolphins to 3-0 on the season after wins over Choctaw, Godby and Niceville. Yes, three weeks in, Mosley is the class of the Panhandle.
Niceville's lone touchdown came on a 37-yard hookup from Deagan McCoy and Malachi White. Otherwise, four-star Joakobe Gilyard was held in check as Niceville's three red-zone trips in the first half resulted in a Gilyard fumble and just three points.
"They're a disciplined team, and you have to beat them. We did not beat them," Niceville coach Adron Robinson said. "They're not going to give the game away. It's been the same thing for four straight years. We hurt ourselves tonight with three red zone trips that resulted in just three points. We need to get better."
Niceville next hosts District 1-5A rival Navarre (0-3) on Sept. 11 at Eagle Stadium.
Baker 20, Holmes County 14
In what Hall-of-Famer Matt Brunson called a "defensive battle," Baker emerged 2-1 after getting 109 yards and a pair of touchdowns from Dawson Mitchem and a score from Chasen Lawrence Friday night.
Baker ended the night with 200 rushing yards following a banner effort in a win over Destin, and now the Gators will shift their focus to a Sept. 11 matchup at Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium against Blountstown (2-1)
Freeport 36, Gulf Breeze 35
Freeport is 2-1 and thriving under Bobby Johns, whose decision to go for the two-point conversion in overtime Friday fueled the Bulldogs to an overtime win at Gulf Breeze.
Dylan Louthain rushed for two touchdowns in regulation, Dylan Molstead and Talen McElyea scored and the Bulldogs are now 2-1 entering a Sept. 11 matchup at home versus North Florida Christian (1-1).
Florida High 18, South Walton 15
South Walton's defense is legit.
Friday's effort against Florida High reaffirmed that, the Seahawks giving up just 10 points on a "50/50" ball and a field goal and scoring 9 of the team's 15 point on a Connor Rooney pick-six and a safety.
"That's two really, really good defenses," South Walton coach Phil Tisa said.
The Seahawks led 8-0 for most of the first half and 15-8 for much of the second half on a JD Brown screen pass to Max Madden that went nearly 50 yards to paydirt. Florida High knotted the score on a scoop-and-score and took the 18-15 lead with 1:15 left. South Walton marched down to the Seminoles' 30 yard line, but back-to-back sacks pushed the Seahawks back to the 40 and forced a missed 57-yard field goal to knot the score.
South Walton next hosts Pensacola (1-2) Sept. 11 at the Hawks Nest.
Other Area Scores
Destin 59, NBH 37
Milton 51, Navarre 13
West Florida 31, FWB 15
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Choctaw gets first win; Niceville falls to Mosley