FOOTBALL: NHS 42, Crestview 23

Navarre kept its football playoff hopes alive with a 42-23 district win Friday against Crestview.

The Raiders (3-4, 2-1 in District 2-6A) got 140 yards rushing and three touchdowns from Dwayne Carter and quarterback Dusty Jones had his second straight 300-yard passing game. Perhaps more importantly, Navarre's beleaguered defense held the Bulldogs (3-5, 1-2) to just six second-half points. After six games, Navarre was allowing 31.5 points per contest, including 43 and 50, respectively, in losses to Catholic and Choctawhatchee in its two previous matches.

After having last week off, the Raiders scored first Friday and never trailed. But after falling behind by two touchdowns in the second quarter, Crestview had pulled to within 21-17 at halftime.

Choctawhatchee and Niceville sit atop the district standings with 3-1 records, with Navarre a half-game back at 2-1. The Indians routed Navarre but lost by a point to Niceville, while Navarre thrashed the Eagles in its first district game. The Raiders are scheduled to play at Fort Walton Beach (4-3, 0-3 District 2-6A) on Friday and at Lynn Haven-Mosley (4-3, 1-2) on Thursday, Nov. 3, before finishing the regular season Nov. 11 at Gulf Breeze.

Choctaw and Niceville each have one district game left, both on Nov. 4 when the Indians will host crosstown rival Fort Walton Beach and Crestview visits Niceville for its annual grudge match with the Eagles.

If there's a three-way tie for the district's two playoff spots, tiebreakers will be played on Monday, Nov. 7.