FWB romps Niceville in Kickoff Classic (with VIDEO, PHOTOS)

By TRAVIS DOWNEY

travisd@nwfdailynews.com

FORT WALTON BEACH - If its performance in Friday night's Kickoff Classic against Niceville is any indication, Fort Walton Beach could be on the cusp of a special season.

Matched against an Eagles team that enters 2008 in search of its sixth straight District 1-5A title, the Vikings dominated Niceville, turning a contest that had the pre-game feel of a late season clash into a surprisingly one-sided 20-3 romp.

The varsity teams played the first half of the game, while the junior varsity teams played after halftime.

Fort Walton Beach established the tone early, jabbing at the Eagles' defense on its first possession with short runs before landing the knockout blow when quarterback Luke Barnes dumped a screen pass toward Matt Coffee.

Coffee caught the pass and broke through two would-be tacklers before bursting down the sideline for a 54-yard score.

"I really wanted to set the tone," said Coffee, who has verbally committed to South Carolina. "I was just running for my life."

Once Niceville regained possession, it was Coffee again setting the tone for the Vikings.

Faced with a third-and-eight situation, Niceville quarterback Rick Whiddon looked to pick up the Eagles' first first down of the night with a pass toward the flats, but there was Coffee, who made a leaping play on the ball to bat it down.

From his vantage point on the Eagles' sideline, coach John Hicks thought the Gamecocks may want to give the Vikings' roster another look.

"I know Matt is going to South Carolina, but they're so good on defense I think he could take the other 10 with him," Hicks said.

Fort Walton Beach allowed just 154 yards of total offense, forced and recovered one fumble and did not allow a point until Niceville kicker Reed White connected on a 23-yard field goal with just 18 seconds left before halftime.

Fort Walton Beach found the end zone once more in the first quarter when following a 22-yard completion to J.T. Wortham, Coffee pounded his way for a 3-yard touchdown run to give the Vikings a 13-0 lead.

Wortham would later score on a 4-yard run to cap a seven-play, 45-yard drive.

For the night, the Vikings racked up 304 yards of total offense with sophomore runinng back Charlie Lott rushing for a team-high 88 yards.

Coffee finished with 36 yards on four carries.

Barnes was 8-of-12 passing for 148 yards.

Whiddon threw for 70 yards on 6-of-11 passing to lead Niceville, while also gaining 45 yards rushing on seven carries. Junior wideout Roy Finch had three receptions for 28 yards.

While his players celebrated, Owens offered a voice of reason.

"It is what it is," Owens said. "We've got talent, we've got a lot of them back. We've got a chance if we can keep our heads on and play hard.

"But it is what it is, we're not going to get overly excited about it."

PHOTOS: Click to view more photos from the game