CRESTVIEW — For the next four years, Crestview High School’s football team will join Okaloosa County neighbors Choctawhatchee, Fort Walton Beach and Niceville in District 3-6A.
Tim Hatten, Crestview’s head football coach and athletic director, says the new district will benefit everybody.
“The bottom line is you know the programs you are playing,” he said. “It’s about the kids that are in the programs. I think it will be four good programs in District 3-6A.
“Certainly, attendance-wise, all of us draw good people. We all travel well. So it’s going to be a win-win for us in terms of playing some district competition in front of full houses.”
The tentative districts, which the Florida High School Athletic Association released last month, had Mosley in the district instead of Niceville. Continuing to have the perennial power Eagles in the district doesn’t concern Hatten.
“We were going to play Niceville anyway, and this way it means something other than just a rival game,” he said. “It really doesn’t affect us other than the original schedule had Mosley in the district, which would have given us an additional game.
“I think it’s kind of neat that all four Okaloosa County schools are in the same district. I think we are going to plan a spring jamboree this spring with all four of us. I think it’s (the district) is a lot cleaner for all involved and I’m pleased with it.”
In a perfect world, Hatten said he would like to play in a six- or seven-team district. But he’s happy with the four-team alignment after being in a three-team district the last two years.
“The margin of error is a little greater than it is in a three-team district,” Hatten said. “You lose one game in a three-team district and you are pretty much pinned against the wall. You do that in a four-team district you may have a little margin to make it up.
“We are excited that it’s finalized and we can finalize our schedule. We are happy.”
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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bulldog football coach: 'Pleased' with new district (VIDEO)