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Dallas' Choctaw Football Page
Dallas played several sports in his youth but always liked football the best. He started playing in Fort Walton Beach Pee Wee leagues. In 1991 his family moved to Shalimar, FL. The next school year Dallas started 11th grade at Choctawhatchee High School. He made the Choctaw Indians varsity team and had a standout year as a linebacker. The team finished with a solid winning season for the Tribe of 7 wins and 3 loses. Dallas continued on with the team in his senior year, and was really excited about his new role as a team captain on the defense, but was injured in the first game of the season and had limited play that year. His jersey numbers were #13 and # 66. Dallas played in two meetings of the CHS Indians and FWB Vikings, crosstown rivals who meet yearly in a contest better known as "The Game" .
Go Dallas! Go Big Green!
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Here he is, No. 13 ,catching his breath while the Choctaw Indians offense takes care of business.
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Slideshow of from 1992 Tomahawk Yearbook
"Big Green Defense Dominates"
"#13 takes him down at the line of scrimmage"
"Tribe on Road Tonight"
"... and the throw is batted down by Dallas Gray, denying a first down"
"6-1 Indians Face Challenge"
"Dallas Gray, #13, is having a great game tonight for the Indians..."
"Choctaw Wins at Home"
Dallas (#66) dancing with Willie Gosha #81) and the Indians defensive line at a Choctaw pep rally
Northwest Florida Daily News 12 Sep 1992 Football Tab Page 4
Defense looking solid, but depth with a small roster a big concern
DENNIS SPEARS Daily News Sports Writer
The 38 varsity players and nine coaches at Choctawhatchee High School face a difficult mission. Besides going against the usually tough competition in District 1-AAAAA, the Indians take on the successful programs of Gainesville Buchholz, Jacksonville Raines, Niceville and Fort Walton Beach. ``We have the toughest schedule in Florida,'' Coach Lionel Fayard said. ``It concerns me. There's no easy game. Our players will have to mature in a hurry.'' The team's youth and depth are also on the coach's mind as he expects sophomores to start in seven positions and many experienced players to see action on both sides of the ball. There are 16 lettermen returning from a team that finished 7-3 in 1991. ``With only 39 on the squad, everyone has to learn two or three positions,'' Fayard said. ``Depth is a concern. ``We'll shuffle players in and out. We have good enough personnel to give others some rest.'' Fayard can find comfort in that the Indians have a solid defensive nucleus to rally around and a squad of anxious, fired-up young men, who the coach ``wouldn't trade for 60 of anyone else's.'' ``The kids are working hard. Our spirits are up and we're getting close as a team. We're ready for the challenge,'' Fayard said. ``We won't back down.'' Choctaw will feature a solid, experienced defensive line, anchored by 1991 starters David Barron, Karl Lavine and Nate Smith. Providing support are '91 starters Mark Jacobs at middle linebacker and Willie Gosha in the secondary. Other expected starters include senior linebackers Dallas Gray and Chris Spence, juniors Mike Huffman and Eric Lang, and sophomore Joe Markoch. Senior Rudi Diamco and junior Mike Aitken will fill out the defensive line. Senior Marco Jackson could also see time with the linebacking corps. Fayard expects to spread things around with his young offense, which has only two returning starters. ``We'll build our offense around the 11 in the game. Everyone will get the ball,'' the coach said, adding the Indians have used linemen as ball carriers in the past. ``We'll run 60 percent of the time, throw 40 percent. We'll try to stay balanced.'' Matt Parker is expected to be the starter at quarterback. Although the senior took only 10 or 12 snaps in 1991, Fayard said, ``Matt has the talent to do the job.'' Parker's backup will be junior Chris Kirkland. Joining Parker in the backfield are senior running backs William Washington, Marco Jackson and Rodney Oliver. The running game figures to be Choctaw's biggest strength. It will also feature senior Bryan Pope and juniors Richard Blunt and Leo Hill. Molding an effective offensive line figures to be a major chore for the Indian coaching staff. At least three sophomores _ Brian McCormack, Henri Harrison and Kevin Miller _ may start. Junior Mike Fermin is the dean of the trenches. The team's early roster shows some senior linebackers and defensive linemen could spend time on the offensive front. Fayard is expecting good things from his kicking game, with sophomore Shane McDonald and Kirkland handling the placekicking, and Jacobs the punting. Choctaw's receiving unit consists of sophomores Chris Donlon and a host of multi-position players, including seniors Gosha, Johnny Rogers and Vincent Pass, junior Ty Bowser, and sophomores Larry Larkins and Curt Hale. ^NOTES: The Indians will field 10 sophomores, 15 juniors and 14 seniors ... 31 Choctaw players are listed on the team's early roster as playing more than one position ... The 1991 Indians lost three games by a total of 11 points.
Defense looking solid, but depth with a small roster a big concern
DENNIS SPEARS Daily News Sports Writer
The 38 varsity players and nine coaches at Choctawhatchee High School face a difficult mission. Besides going against the usually tough competition in District 1-AAAAA, the Indians take on the successful programs of Gainesville Buchholz, Jacksonville Raines, Niceville and Fort Walton Beach. ``We have the toughest schedule in Florida,'' Coach Lionel Fayard said. ``It concerns me. There's no easy game. Our players will have to mature in a hurry.'' The team's youth and depth are also on the coach's mind as he expects sophomores to start in seven positions and many experienced players to see action on both sides of the ball. There are 16 lettermen returning from a team that finished 7-3 in 1991. ``With only 39 on the squad, everyone has to learn two or three positions,'' Fayard said. ``Depth is a concern. ``We'll shuffle players in and out. We have good enough personnel to give others some rest.'' Fayard can find comfort in that the Indians have a solid defensive nucleus to rally around and a squad of anxious, fired-up young men, who the coach ``wouldn't trade for 60 of anyone else's.'' ``The kids are working hard. Our spirits are up and we're getting close as a team. We're ready for the challenge,'' Fayard said. ``We won't back down.'' Choctaw will feature a solid, experienced defensive line, anchored by 1991 starters David Barron, Karl Lavine and Nate Smith. Providing support are '91 starters Mark Jacobs at middle linebacker and Willie Gosha in the secondary. Other expected starters include senior linebackers Dallas Gray and Chris Spence, juniors Mike Huffman and Eric Lang, and sophomore Joe Markoch. Senior Rudi Diamco and junior Mike Aitken will fill out the defensive line. Senior Marco Jackson could also see time with the linebacking corps. Fayard expects to spread things around with his young offense, which has only two returning starters. ``We'll build our offense around the 11 in the game. Everyone will get the ball,'' the coach said, adding the Indians have used linemen as ball carriers in the past. ``We'll run 60 percent of the time, throw 40 percent. We'll try to stay balanced.'' Matt Parker is expected to be the starter at quarterback. Although the senior took only 10 or 12 snaps in 1991, Fayard said, ``Matt has the talent to do the job.'' Parker's backup will be junior Chris Kirkland. Joining Parker in the backfield are senior running backs William Washington, Marco Jackson and Rodney Oliver. The running game figures to be Choctaw's biggest strength. It will also feature senior Bryan Pope and juniors Richard Blunt and Leo Hill. Molding an effective offensive line figures to be a major chore for the Indian coaching staff. At least three sophomores _ Brian McCormack, Henri Harrison and Kevin Miller _ may start. Junior Mike Fermin is the dean of the trenches. The team's early roster shows some senior linebackers and defensive linemen could spend time on the offensive front. Fayard is expecting good things from his kicking game, with sophomore Shane McDonald and Kirkland handling the placekicking, and Jacobs the punting. Choctaw's receiving unit consists of sophomores Chris Donlon and a host of multi-position players, including seniors Gosha, Johnny Rogers and Vincent Pass, junior Ty Bowser, and sophomores Larry Larkins and Curt Hale. ^NOTES: The Indians will field 10 sophomores, 15 juniors and 14 seniors ... 31 Choctaw players are listed on the team's early roster as playing more than one position ... The 1991 Indians lost three games by a total of 11 points.
Slideshow from 1993 Tomahawk Yearbook
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Style Marchers at the Choctawhatchee High School 60th Anniversary
Dallas Gray... Choctaw Indian
Developing and promoting numerical guidelines
to regulate the amount of brain trauma that
children and youth are allowed to incur in sports
to regulate the amount of brain trauma that
children and youth are allowed to incur in sports
