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Power Rankings: Niceville proves why it should remain No. 1. But who follows?

seth stringer, northwest florida daily news
·4 min read

The takeaways from Week 2 were mainly positive for area football teams, which collectively went 7-4.

Chief among them was the resiliency of Choctaw, Crestview and Fort Walton Beach, each of which were angry and hellbent on proving those season-opening losses wouldn't define them.

Walton and Niceville, the lone ranked team in the area, lived up to the hype in a pair of routes, while Destin celebrated the program's biggest win ever in a 21-19 victory over 1R powerhouse Baker. Oh, and Rocky Bayou just continues to quietly march on to 2-0.

So how do the teams stack up?

'New Beginnings': Fort Walton Beach snaps long losing streak in win over SoWal

Vote: Daily News' Week 2 Athlete of the Week

Week 2 recap: Top Performers on the Emerald Coast

Eagles head coach Grant Thompson signals a play as Niceville hosts North Miami in the season home opener.
Eagles head coach Grant Thompson signals a play as Niceville hosts North Miami in the season home opener.

1. Niceville (2-0, last week: No. 1)

Two games in, the Eagles' first-string defense has yet to allow a score and the heavy package is thriving with Maddox Fayard at the helm. While the Eagles were without five starters last week, you wouldn't know it by the next-man-up mentality. Just wait until this team is fully healthy.

Up Next: Lincoln at Niceville, Thursday at 7 p.m.

Choctawhatchee High School quarterback Jesse Winslette looks for an open receiver during a home game against Booker T. Washington High School on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022.
Choctawhatchee High School quarterback Jesse Winslette looks for an open receiver during a home game against Booker T. Washington High School on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022.

2. Choctaw (1-1, last week No. 3)

That's more like it Big Green. Following a 44-17 loss at Pace, Jesse Winslette had a pair of scores, Cole Tabb eclipsed the century mark and a Jashawn Armstrong-led defense was back to making stops in a 33-13 win over Fairhope. Now one of the area's best rivalries takes flight at Jack Foster Stadium.

Up Next: Choctaw at Crestview (1-1), Friday at 7 p.m.

Crestview High School Coach Thomas Grant talks to his team during a time out in the Bulldog's playoff game against Niceville High School on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.
Crestview High School Coach Thomas Grant talks to his team during a time out in the Bulldog's playoff game against Niceville High School on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.

3. Crestview (1-1, last week No. 6)

The Dawgs are back on track after Zay Parks' three scores helped them avenge last year's loss to Gulf Breeze in a 35-21 triumph. Now they look for a second dose of redemption against Choctaw, which beat the Dawgs 35-34 last year at Joe Etheredge Stadium.

Up Next: Crestview vs Choctaw (1-1), Friday at 7 p.m.

Head coach Keith White watches over his offensive line workout during a Walton Braves summer football practice.
Head coach Keith White watches over his offensive line workout during a Walton Braves summer football practice.

4. Walton (2-0, last week No. 5)

Keith White has built a winner at Walton, which can beat you with Nuke McKenzie (208 yards, five scores) and Peyton Seay on the ground and Wells Bettenhausen (479 yards, five touchdowns) and Dalton Kolmetz (seven receptions, 168 yards) through the air.

Up Next: Walton vs. Union County (1-0), Friday at 7 p.m.

5. Navarre (0-2, last week No. 2)

No one's had a tougher schedule two weeks in than the Raiders, who lost to a pair of 2-0 programs in Pensacola Catholic and Pine Forest. Now they get a Rickards program that beat Crestview opening week at Jack Foster Stadium. Normally a defensive stalwart, Navarre has to clean up the mistakes that've led to 74 points allowed just two games in.

Up Next: Navarre vs. Rickards, Friday at 7:30 p.m.

6. FWB (1-1, last week No. 7)

Vikings QB Harrison Orr celebrates his touchdown during the South Walton- Fort Walton Beach football game at South Walton.
Vikings QB Harrison Orr celebrates his touchdown during the South Walton- Fort Walton Beach football game at South Walton.

Are the Vikings back? Well, that's to be determined. Last week's 28-13 victory over SoWal ended a 24-game losing streak, and this week Rutherford will offer little resistance as the Vikings make it a win streak. Navarre transfer Eddie love Jr. is on pace for a 2,000-yard rushing campaign after last week's 259-yard, three-touchdown effort. Keep feeding the man.

Up Next: FWB vs. Rutherford (0-2), Friday at 7 p.m.

The Seahawks sideline watches as the Vikings tack on another score during the South Walton- Fort Walton Beach football game at South Walton.
The Seahawks sideline watches as the Vikings tack on another score during the South Walton- Fort Walton Beach football game at South Walton.

7. South Walton (1-1, last week No. 4)

The Seahawks were simply overmatched on the line last week by a bigger, more athletic Fort Walton program. Carson Hawk didn't do himself any favors with the worst start of his career, while the defense let Love Jr. get to the perimeter repeatedly. The Seahawks are much better than thus. Let's see how they respond.

Up Next: South Walton at Port St. Joe (1-0), Friday at 7 p.m.

8. Destin (2-0, last week No. 8)

Some offseason drama clouded the program, but none of that has fazed E.G. Green and his crew from opening with wins over Freeport and Baker. Already doubling up their inaugural season win total on Hugh Boudreaux's game-winning 59-yard touchdown reception last week, now they face the one team they beat last year.

Up Next: Destin at North Bay Haven (1-1), Friday at 7 p.m.

9. Rocky Bayou (2-0, last week No. 10)

In KC Woods the Knights trust. With an 83-13 margin of victory and two running clocks to their name, the Knights will try to avenge last year's 26-22 loss to Cottondale.

Up Next: Rocky at Cottondale, Friday at 7 p.m.

10. Baker (0-2, last week No. 9)

When's the last time Baker started 0-2? (Checks notes) ... That'd be 2009 when the Gators opened with losses to Crestview and Sneads en route to an 0-10 campaign. The Gators aren't in danger of regressing that far, but the road doesn't get any easier moving forward as they now travel to a Bozeman crew they narrowly beat 21-20 in 2022.

Up Next: Baker at Bozeman (2-0), Friday at 7 p.m.

11. Freeport (0-2, last week No. 11)

Injuries and depth issues are the story early on for the Bulldogs, who are struggling to put up points (just 29 points scored this year). Cam Fernandez, who has four touchdown tosses this year, needs to dial it up to Julius Miles and Brayden Sampson. A matchup against a team they beat 20-13 last year may just be what the doctor ordered.

Up Next: Freeport at Liberty County (0-2), Friday at 7 p.m.

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Seth Stringer is sports editor of the Northwest Florida Daily News. Follow him on Friday nights @SethSnwfdn and contact him at sstringer@nwfdailynews.com.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Week 2 high school football power ranks on the Emerald Coast