Crestview looks to upset Niceville, shake up playoff picture

Motivation has never been lacking for either side of the Crestview-Niceville rivalry, but tonight’s showdown between the two county rivals carries with it distinct postseason implications as well.

For Niceville (8-0, 2-0 District 2-4A), the state’s top-ranked team in Class 4A, the writing is on the wall — win and the Eagles secure the school’s sixth district title in the last seven years. Lose, however, and the picture becomes a bit hazier.

“We’ve brought it up to them,” Niceville coach John Hicks said of the implications tonight’s game carries. “But they probably know more about the (different) scenarios than I do.”

With Fort Walton Beach defeating Mosley on Thursday, both Niceville and Crestview (5-3, 1-1) enter tonight’s clash with a clear vision of what it will take for each to qualify for the postseason.

Niceville can do no worse than qualify for a three-team shootout. That’s what would happen if Crestview pulls the upset. The Eagles, Bulldogs and Vikings would all be 2-1.

A Crestview loss would clinch a playoff berth for Fort Walton Beach.

Bulldogs coach Matt Brunson has his team right where he hoped it would be.

“With the exception of a couple of games we would have hoped to have go our way, we’re playing for a (shot at the) district championship,” Brunson said. “We’re right where we want to be.”

Just last season, the Bulldogs joined Fort Walton Beach and Choctawhatchee in a three-team shootout at Steve Riggs Stadium that saw the Vikings escape with the district crown when a two-point conversion attempt by Crestview was stopped for a loss.

It was also just last season when Crestview upset another highly-ranked team in then third-ranked Fort Walton Beach.

“This will probably be the biggest game we’ve played so far,” Bulldogs defensive lineman Levi Hendrix said. “It will be just like it was last year when we played Fort Walton Beach and they were ranked pretty high.”

Lining up opposite of Niceville hasn’t gone well for anyone this season.

Behind an offense that already featured the likes of running back Roy Finch and receiver Kody Williams, the Eagles’ attack has evolved into a more well-rounded unit thanks in large part to the development of first-year starting quarterback, Kyle McDorman. In his first season under center, the lanky junior enters tonight’s game two touchdown passes shy of the school’s single-season record (19).

Crestview is not without its share of playmakers on offense.

Chris Pickett has been a dual-threat terror for the Bulldogs, accounting for 1,314 all-purpose yards with 16 touchdowns on the year.

Niceville will have defensive end Charles Phillips back in the fold after the senior’s two-game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct was reduced to one game by the FHSAA. Phillips’ actions that led to his ejection came in the Eagles’ win over Fort Walton Beach. After reviewing film of the incident, Niceville appealed and received a lighter punishment.

The Niceville defense’s to-do list extends beyond simply locating and hemming in Pickett.

“They are one of the best teams we’ll play this year,” Niceville senior linebacker/tight end Stefano Schutte said. “They have one of the best backs we’ll ever see. If we don’t come ready to play, they have a chance to beat us.”