Choctawhatchee Has Everyone’s Attention Across Florida

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the first nine weeks of the 2025 high school football season, the Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee Indians were introduced to the state of Florida as one of the elite programs for the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This program, which had been building since head coach <strong>Frank Beasley</strong> arrived, had finally gotten to the point where they were not just the talk of the Panhandle, but the entire state had started to watch the results come in every Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As they prepared for the state playoffs as district champions, this team was upset by Enterprise, Alabama, which was indeed a wakeup call.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the state playoffs, they got things back together, rolling over Pensacola Booker T. Washington (49-6), and then got by [player_tooltip player_id='2122848' first='Lake' last='City Columbia'] (27-20) and [player_tooltip player_id='1640270' first='St.' last='Augustine'] (31-28) before a home showdown with defending state champion Plantation American Heritage, who had to travel further than any team in state playoff history (523 miles). From the beginning, it was evident that the Indians were up against it – and the dream of reaching the state title game ended, 31-14.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the year ended in disappointment, this program finished 12-2 and outscored the opposition, 449-142, on the way to a season to remember.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As they prepared for spring, the loss to the eventual state champions stayed with them and has been the fuel in the off-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If they are going to take things one step further in 2026, it will be on the shoulders on a gifted rising senior (2027) class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of those impressive prospects:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jamarie Alicide, DB, 6'3, 190 - 3.2 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17686066/Jamaarie-Alcide">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17686066/Jamaarie-Alcide</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Juan Carlos Pupo Buch, LB, 6'1, 210 – 3.74 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19844523/Juan-Carlos-Pupo-Buch">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19844523/Juan-Carlos-Pupo-Buch</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ryne “Rhino” Burks, TE, 6'4, 225 – 3.2 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/15159588/68ec4be08d5f0b67fe955f04">http://www.hudl.com/video/3/15159588/68ec4be08d5f0b67fe955f04</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brody Combs, WR, 5'10, 160.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20270914/Brody-Combs">https://www.hudl.com/profile/20270914/Brody-Combs</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Devante Johnson, OL, 6'5, 320 - 2.6 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/26039446/690380a2f764355452b0b7f2">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/26039446/690380a2f764355452b0b7f2</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Von Keller, RB,&nbsp;5'9.5, 220.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15164326/6757322c456f57b71e1d6719">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15164326/6757322c456f57b71e1d6719</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jordyn Long, CB,&nbsp;5'9,&nbsp;160.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22883791/Jordyn-Long">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22883791/Jordyn-Long</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704878' first='Carter' last='Marracco'], Athlete, &nbsp;5'11, 190 - 3.8 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/15161845/691690e93c43424000ec62c6">http://www.hudl.com/video/3/15161845/691690e93c43424000ec62c6</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amir Reese, CB, 5'10, 165 – 3.5 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE:  <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20079109/68fa39743d533836b9a9d37c">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20079109/68fa39743d533836b9a9d37c</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1618207' first='D.J.' last='Spence'], WR, 6'1, 175 - 3.2 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21687844/690b5c18dd5da57f8088b1db">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21687844/690b5c18dd5da57f8088b1db</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1681945' first='Peyton' last='Youssef'], OL, 6'4, 305 - 3.8 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19431962/69394f5487360a5c4309046e">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19431962/69394f5487360a5c4309046e</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dante Whidbee, RB, 6'1, 210 - 3.7 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15252540/68ee7750d8017da7e3a13c73">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15252540/68ee7750d8017da7e3a13c73</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rayquan Hawkins, LB, 6'1, 205 - 2.5 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>C.J. Reynolds, DB/WR, 5'10, 160 - 2.78 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jabron Ruffin, DB, 6'0,&nbsp;170</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THERE ARE SOME IMPRESSIVE UNDERCLASSMEN WAITING THEIR TURN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the rising senior class will be the engine for this impressive team, keep an eye on the younger players as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several talented young men are ready to make a major contribution:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rives Brown, WR/DB, 5'10, 160 – 3.2 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16595643/Rives-Brown">https://www.hudl.com/profile/16595643/Rives-Brown</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rahmeir Montgomery, WR, 6'0,&nbsp;168.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19321408/Rahmeir-Montgomery" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19321408/Rahmeir-Montgomery</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kevin Bravo, DE, 6'4, 240</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andrew Duzinski, DB, 5'10, 140</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ty'Shaun Montgomery,&nbsp;WR,&nbsp;5'10,&nbsp;158</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Isaak Rogers, OL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key'son Stover, RB,&nbsp;5'8,&nbsp;200</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2029&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaylen Baker, DL, 6'1, 285.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23131803/Jaylen-Baker" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/23131803/Jaylen-Baker</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>T.J. Franklin, Edge, 6'3, 215 – 4.1 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21071743/691cfff52727ce863ba25bef">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21071743/691cfff52727ce863ba25bef</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaiah Matthews, LB,&nbsp;6'0,&nbsp;200.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/24142521/68dd381b6f1a10f63419eca3">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/24142521/68dd381b6f1a10f63419eca3</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Asa Abbott, WR,&nbsp;6'1,&nbsp;175</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Isaiah Collins, QB,&nbsp;6'1,&nbsp;180</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alonzo Hinson, LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Landon McKuhen, WR, 6'0, 165 – 3.6 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee Indians</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gulf Shores, Alabama, W 21-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Navarre, W 42-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crestview, W 28-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pensacola Pine Forest, W 28-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Niceville, W 42-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Panama City Beach Arnold, W 40-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santa Rosa Beach South Walton, W 38-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tallahassee Rickards, W 31-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Walton Beach, W 42-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Enterprise, Alabama, L 20-16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STATE PLAYOFFS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pensacola Booker T. Washington, W 49-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2122848' first='Lake' last='City Columbia'], W 27-20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1640270' first='St.' last='Augustine'], W 31-28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plantation American Heritage, L 31-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FLORIDA EXPOSURE EVENT COMING MAY 23RD. Right after spring and a week before summer. This is a cannot miss exposure camp/combine. Sign Up Early!!! <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2242/register/exposure-series-florida">https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2242/register/exposure-series-florida</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COACHES, PLAYERS: Do You Have A Subscription? Contact us for a savings code so you can see what everyone has been talking about! <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->