Week 1 Scoreboard: Choctaw and Freeport make statements in opener

GULF SHORES — You simply can't oversell Choctaw's marquee win Friday night.

On the road at Gulf Shores. Against a reigning Alabama 5A champion that in 2023 finished 15-0 and outscored foes 576-138. And with a first-year starting quarterback and running back.

Psh. Piece of cake.

Sophomore Von Keller rushed for 248 yards and three scores in his debut as Tabb's replacement, Niceville transfer Alante Reese had a pick-six and the Big Green defense shut down 2,000-yard back Kolin Wilson in a 31-7 rout of Gulf Shores.

"Our defense played lights out, really ran around and made a lot of plays," Choctaw head coach Frank Beasley said. "We were physical at the point of attack and Tristan Jackson had a great game, Alante had a defensive touchdown and the secondary played really well. And the offensive line handled what they need to do."

Not once last year did the Dolphins' defense allow more than 21 points. Not once was their offense held to single digits. Choctaw, despite the turnover on offense, made a 5A state champ look pedestrian.

Keller, who in the offseason said he wanted to break Tabb's records, needed just 28 carries to pile up 248 yards. Being able to control the clock, Choctaw led 10-7 at halftime before opening things up with Reese's pick-six at the start of the second half. Gulf shores never recovered, and the Big Green outscored the home team 21-0 in the second half as Jackson added the fourth rushing score.

Beasley credited the Big Green's work in the offseason, specifically their two-day trip to Coffeyville, Georgia, to practice with and against a state champ. Iron sharpens iron, as they say, and his focus now shifts to keeping the team culture relaxed and natural as the team progressively gets better.

Up next the Big Green travel to Navarre, which lost 33-0 at Pensacola Catholic in its opener.

Freeport 30, North Bay Haven 0

Ok, Freeport defense, we see you.

Humbled in the offseason by South Walton and then in a narrow loss to Rutherford, the Bulldogs shut out North Bay Haven on the road in an effort where many shared in the game ball.

Joshua Juntunen had two sacks and seven tackles, and Zakade Schiro stripped the ball and went 55 yards to the house to accent four tackles for a loss. Cody Campbell had six tackles for a loss to accent a 60-yard touchdown run, while Julius Miles, known more for his receiver talents, had an interception. And Hunter Bates added three tackles for a loss and seven tackles overall.

"I'm just really proud of the way our defense responded after the way things went against South Walton and Rutherford this offseason," Freeport head coach Shaun Arntz said. "They did an awesome job tonight. The first two drives were shaky and coach (Owen) Cole and the defensive staff made a couple adjustments and the players responded."

Offensively, Carter Nunes threw for two touchdowns, one to Miles and one a 25-yarder to Caleb Leonard. Miles finished with 145 receiving yards and a score and Campbell had a 60-yard touchdown run.

"Our offense grew in some areas but we area still lacking consistency," Anrtz said. "The plays are there and the players are capable, we just have to get it all to meet in the middle."

Up next, Freeport shifts its focus to Thursday's road matchup at Jay. The Bulldogs have been snakebitten against the Royals and haven't beaten Jay since 2011.

Baker 34, FAMU 6

Matt Brunson is back. Winning is back. Following a 3-6 year, the Gators opened with a rout at Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium.

Up next for the Gators is a home tilt Friday against Destin.

Marianna 50, Walton 44

Wells Bettenhausen's career night was all for naught in Friday's road loss.

Bettenhausen threw for 382 yards and five scores and rushed for 21 yards and a touchdowns, but the Braves simply couldn't generate enough stops on the other side of the ball.

Peyton Seay rushed for 103 yards and a score, Dreden Bemboy had eight catches for 141 yards and three scores, Brayden Sampson had 130 yards and a touchdown on five receptions and Elijah Neenan had six catches for 80 yards and a score.

The Braves will try to rebound next week at 5A Crestview, which defeated Milton 42-7.

Pensacola Catholic 33, Navarre 0

The Raiders lost the field position battle Friday night and couldn't get anything going offensively. The result was the first shutout since Niceville beat them 26-0 in 2013.

It only gets tougher for the Raiders, who Friday host a Choctaw program that just beat reigning 5A state champion Gulf Shores 31-7.

Crestview 42, Milton 7

Zy Tassin threw, ran for and caught a touchdown as the Bulldogs running-clocked Milton at Jack Foster Stadium Friday night.

The Braves next host 2A Walton Friday night at 7 p.m.

Northview 26, Destin 7

The freelance Sharks ran into a rural juggernaut Friday in a season-opening loss. A trip to Baker awaits them in Week 2.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Week 1 Scoreboard: Choctaw and Freeport make statements in opener