Clutch teams, stud QBs, contenders and rivalry wins: 5 things we learned from Week 5
In the 58 years since Choctaw and Niceville met for the first time, there's been an ebb and flow of streaks.
Believe it or not, this isn't the first win streak to reach 12 between the programs. After all, Choctaw won the first 12 meetings from 1965-1980, including a 33-19 victory to kick things off. In between there was a run of four years where they didn't play because, well, who likes losing?
Niceville finally got its first win in 1981 in a 14-7 defensive gem. Ever since the Eagles have enacted revenge with a 32-11 record over Choctaw, including Friday's 42-21 rout.
Statement win: Cole Tabb finally bottled up by stingy Niceville defense
Some may think the rivalry tag is a bit generous considering the ebbs and flows in this series. But 58 years and 56 matchups is undeniably a big chunk of history. So for now, let's call it a rivalry. Niceville can celebrate the 33-23 edge as it prepares for Crestview, while Choctaw can use the bye week to recover and get better.
With that said, here's what we learned from Week 5.
Walton is a Final 4 contender in 2S
Great teams win in the clutch. After back-to-back overtime wins, 4-0 Walton is just that.
Friday's 34-31 double-overtime triumph at South Walton's Hawks Nest, where everybody and their cousin in Walton County assembled Friday night, was just the latest highlight in reel full of them. And it only reinforced what we already know.
For starters, Nuke Mckenzie is inarguably the area's best two-way player, the running back/linebacker rushing for 200 yards and two scores and also finding the end zone on a scoop and sore. Another strength, Walton has the area's best kicker in Maston Joyner, who split the uprights on his second straight game-winner in double overtime to make him 6-for-7 on field goal attempts this season (lone miss was a 52-yarder in the wind).
And Walton is no longer the one-dimensional rushing threat known for its 3,000-yard campaigns. Wells Bettenhausen and Dalton Kolmetz are keeping opponents from stacking the box.
This crew will be slept on come playoff time. That’s a shame because at worst they’re good for a region win or two.
Kane Lafortune is morphing into the QB Niceville needs
Two plays stood out for Lafortune from Friday's 42-21 win over Choctaw.
One came with game deadlocked and Niceville facing fourth-and-12 from inside Choctaw's 40. Lafortune took the snap, stepped back in the pocket and looked downfield, finding nothing open. So he tucked it, turned upfield and was met by a sea of pressure. He veered left, saw an open Jordan Bryant and threw an off-balanced throw to the left sideline. Bryant did the rest, picking up 15 yards to preserve the drive and set up Maddax Fayard's 3-yard score.
The second play occurred before the half with Niceville up 21-7. After missing Robert Stith on a post route for an easy score, two plays later Lafortune threw a perfect dime to Stith for a 34-yard touchdown that proved he can adapt and learn on the fly. On the night he had 173 passing yards, two scores and another 32 rushing yards.
In a year marred by one quarterback transferring and another no longer being on the team, Lafortune has seized the opportunity and is getting better each week. His O-line is the best Niceville's seen in years, his backfield features three playmakers in DJ Robinson, Uriah West and DJ Shorts, and Maddax Fayard spells him in a heavy package that continues to move the chains. If Lafortune can avoid the self-inflicted mistakes, the sky's the limit. What's not to love?
Destin's Hugh Boudreaux is a bona fide stud
The man throws bombs, catches game-winning scores, kicks field goals and runs downhill like a tailback. He's Destin's Swiss Army knife.
Friday's three-touchdown game was the latest, with Boudreaux spreading the love in a 42-0 win over Lighthouse Christian. As Boudreaux goes, so does Destin, which might run the table as it gears up for FHSAA eligibility.
FWB yet to play in close matchup, trend likely to continue
The dichotomy of Fort Walton's season is Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde.
Their three wins, including Friday's 56-0 homecoming victory over Arnold, the Vikings have outscored foes 131-25. Their two losses, the Vikings have been outscored 65-6. Looming are tougher matchups against Pine Forest and Choctaw and easier matchups vs. Bay and Booker T. Washington, so that trend is here to stay for a team still gelling after welcoming in a new coaching staff in the offseason and several transfers.
Regardless, wins are wins and in just half a season the Vikings have won more games than the last three combined. At long last, the rebuilding phase appears in full motion.
Snakebitten Freeport can't buy a break
New week, new heartbreaker.
Five games in, Freeport is 1-3 in one-possession games and has yet to be blown out by more than 16 points. The latest was Friday's 22-19 loss to Vernon where the Bulldogs forced three turnovers and had two rushing touchdowns. Injuries, lack of depth and experience have hurt the Bulldogs, who could very easily be 4-1 as they are 1-4.
The road doesn't get any less bumpy next week when Shaun Arntz's crew hosts 4-0 Bozeman.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Top 5 high school football takeaways from Week 5
