Rutherford, Choctaw finish 5-4

PANAMA CITY - As it turned out, both Rutherford and Choctawhatchee will finish the 2008 football season with a winning record.

Their season-ending game at Tommy Oliver Stadium was called with 3 minutes, 19 seconds left in the second quarter Friday when a violent storm blew through Bay County. Choctawhatchee was leading a competitive game, 13-12, at that stage.

The storm not only left the field a quagmire, but caused a problem with the stadium lights that most likely could not have been resolved Friday evening.

It wasn't expected that the game would be resumed, and each school ended with a 5-4 record.

"I think the lights were shorted out," Bay District Schools Director of Extracurricular Activities Tommy St. Amant said. "The field looks like a rice paddy out there anyhow."

St. Amant spoke with Rutherford Athletic Director Kirk Harrell from the press box via radio. Harrell had been in contact with Rutherford Principal Mike Kennedy, who also attended the game.

Once the officiating crew cleared the field following a lightning strike in the vicinity, it was believed to be Kennedy's decision whether or not to continue the game.

Choctawhatchee was in possession of the football at its 15 following a Rutherford punt. The Indians had responded to a game-opening scoring drive by the Rams with a 48-yard TD pass from quarterback David Weber to wide receiver Devontee Lawson with 44 seconds left in the first quarter.

They mounted a smart 69-yard drive to answer the Rams' second score, running back Freddie Gray rolling in from the 5 with 5:19 left in the second quarter.

Rutherford also was impressive, amassing 231 total yards to 175 by the Indians. Choctawhatchee's lead resulted from blocking Rutherford's first extra-point attempt, and stopping a Rams' conversion pass following the second score.

The slim margin also was the product of the Indians recovering two fumbles. The first, by Paul Spikes, stopped what looked like an impending scoring drive at the Indians' 10. The second, by Taylor Kelley, gave Choctaw possession at Rutherford's 30, but a fumble recovery by the Rams' Charles Collins ended that threat.

The suspension likely cost Rutherford junior quarterback Cordarryl Rogers a 1,000-yard rushing output for the season. Rogers entered the game with 910, and had 55 as the Rams drove 61 yards to score on the opening series.

Rogers scored from the 28 with a burst up the middle with less than two minutes elapsed. A sack by Mike Brantley limited him to 0 yards on his next four carries.

Once Choctawhatchee eased ahead on Dillon Drake's extra points following Lawson's touchdown, Rogers hooked up with wide receiver Enrico Williams for a 76-yard scoring pass.

Rutherford had third-and-4 from its 24, and when a defensive back slipped trying to duplicate Williams' out cut, the Ram receiver covered the final 65 yards untouched.

The game kicked off at 7 p.m. It officially was called at 8:15 p.m.