There's nothing wrong with a little preseason affirmation. That came for Choctawhatchee football this week, the USA Today Florida Network Super 25 including the Big Green for the first time.
Ahead of Thursday's road trip to Bay County powerhouse Mosley, Frank Beasley's crew came in at No. 25 and trailing only defending champion American Heritage (No. 5), Jones (No. 15), McArthur (No. 18) and Port Charlotte (No. 22) among 4A programs.
Choctaw's inclusion on the prestigious list — put together by Jon Santucci and voted on by Florida's network of USA Today prep writers — comes after a 12-2 campaign that ended in a 31-14 Final 4 loss to American Heritage at Joe Etheredge Stadium back in December.
Choctaw graduated nearly three quarters of its defense that limited foes to 10 points per game in 2025 and also lost quarterback Tamen Zabetakis, but the Big Green reloaded by bringing in IMG quarterback Baker Giles among other transfers and returns a vaunted backfield featuring Dante Whidbee, Von Keller and Carter Marracco.
It's fitting that the Big Green breaks every huddle on "state," because region titles are the new standard. Choctaw didn't do itself any favors with a schedule that features Mosley, Auburn (Alabama), Pace, Niceville and Thompson (Alabama), but even so the Big Green remain the team to beat in District 1 and Region 1.
No other area team in Okaloosa or Walton County was ranked in the Super 25 or the top 10 of their respective class, with Niceville receiving votes in 5A.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Choctaw football earns Super 25 preseason rank; top 5 in 4A
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