FORT WALTON BEACH — Frank Beasley said Ellis and Mario Alloway “set the standard of how we play defense at Choctaw.”
And he called Zion Legree “an outstanding person, an outstanding athlete” and said the transfer has taught him and his coaching staff a lot about how to coach the wide receiver position.
At every key point amid a 12-1, Final 4 qualifying season that has the Big Green two wins away from the program’s first state title since 1990, the trio has proven their leadership, talent and ability to take over games. Soon those big personalities will take their talents to the next level, the trio etching their futures in Choctaw High’s Tee Pee before Thursday’s pep rally.
In front of a standing-room-only gym, Legree signed with the University of Wisconsin, Mario Alloway signed with Jacksonville State University and Ellis Alloway signing with Liberty University.
Beasley gushed over all three, saying the Alloway brothers were “like sons to me” and telling Legree he lights up every room he walks into. But, he noted, their work is far from done. After all, defending champion American Heritage awaits, the Patriots coming town for Friday’s 4A state semifinal set to kick off at 7 p.m. at Joe Etheredge Stadium.
“There’s a reason why we’re 12-1 right now,” Beasley said of the trio’s contributions, “and we’re going to be 13-1 after tomorrow night.”
Ellis Alloway, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound linebacker, has the all-time sacks record at Choctaw and turned down multiple Power 4 offers to sign with Liberty. He opened with a pair of sacks against Lincoln his freshman year, and he’s followed with 10 sacks his sophomore year, eight his junior season and 11 so far his senior year. His 100-plus tackles and 30-plus tackles for loss lead the Big Green, who are allowing just 8.5 points per game with four shutouts.
“To my family, teammates and friends and everyone who’s supported me on this journey,” Ellis told the packed gym, “I’m grateful for all of year. I’m ready to work hard, represent, do the right thing and make everyone proud.”
Mario Alloway, a defensive end standing 6-3, 215 pounds, burst onto the scene with four sacks as a sophomore, led the Big Green in tackles and eight sacks last year, and is tied with his brother with 11 sacks this year.
“My time at Choctawhatchee High School changed my life,” he said. “Playing defensive end gave me a purpose, gave me confidence, taught me what it is to work for something you really want. Every sacrifice, it led to this moment.”
Legree, meanwhile, made an immediate impact after transferring in as a senior. He leads Choctaw’s receivers with 42 receptions for 627 yards and 10 touchdowns after being hobbleded for the first third of the season, and over his last five games he has 25 touches for 317 yards and six touchdowns. His speech Thursday ended with one final goal: “Win a state title.”
Distance runner Izzy Harter also signed Thursday with Flagler College after a historic run for the Big Green. The back-to-back Okaloosa County and district champ finished runner-up at regionals the past two years and holds the school record for the 5K in cross country as well as the 1600m and 3200m records in track and field.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Choctaw celebrates signings of Alloway bros, Zion Legree, Izzy Harter
Reporting by Seth Stringer, Northwest Florida Daily News / Northwest Florida Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
