BAKER — An upset-minded Rocky Bayou Christian School scored early and scored late against undefeated Baker on Friday.
In between it was all Gators as Baker rolled to a 34-21 win at Doug Grittifth Memorial Stadium.
Baker-Rocky Bayou Christian football photos>>>
Gator Coach Matt Brunson was just happy to come out with the win in what could have been a trap game before Baker opens District 1-1A play next week.
“We were coming off an open week and we came out a little flat,” he said. “But (Knight Coach) Josh Childers has done a great job with this Rocky Bayou team. They hung in there and we hung around just long enough to win the game.
“Now it’s turning our focus to the Freeport Bulldogs and a big contest here next Friday night to open up the district.”
The Gators could have been their own worst enemies in the first quarter as they were flagged for 75 yards in penalties in the first 12 minutes of play.
If the Knights (1-4) had been able to capitalize on the Gator miscues the outcome might have had a different ending. As it was the Baker defense stood strong as the game was scoreless at the end of the first period.
The Knights scored the first points of the game on a 27-yard field goal by Zakary Payne with 9:01 left in the first half.
Payne picked up his next score on a 42-yard touchdown pass from David Mareno with 4:31 left in the half.
By the time the Knights next scored they were playing catch up with time running out.
The Gators (4-0), who extended their regular season winning streak to 15 games, got on the scoreboard with 1:52 left in the first half.
Austin Martin scored on a 7-yard run and Josh Springle added the extra point as the Gators closed to within two.
Austin Davis scored on a 5-yard run with 9:38 left in the third quarter to give Baker the lead once and for all. An interception by Gator defensive end Jonathan Gatewood at the Knight 13 set up the Davis score.
A little more than four minutes later it was Davis scoring again from six yards out. The score capped a 6-play, 47-yard drive.
Baker led 21-9 at the end of the third quarter.
The final two Gator touchdowns also were set up by the Baker defense.
A 3-yard touchdown run by Montae Barto pushed the lead to 27-9 with 10:34 remaining. Barto’s touchdown came one play after the Gators blocked a Knight punt that was covered by Baker’s David Oglesby inside the Rocky Bayou 5-yard line.
Oglesby also had an interception to go along with his big play on special teams.
Baker’s final score came when Dylan Locke recovered a Knight fumble in the end zone with 5:34 left in the game. Alec Black forced the fumble.
The Knights had two scores late as Mareno hit Seth Waldron with touchdown passes of 13 and 15 yards. The final score came as the horn sounded to end the game.
The Gators piled up 361 yards in total offense with 277 yards coming on the ground.
Martin led Baker in rushing with 103 yards on nine carries. Davis had 17 carries for 95 yards. Jon Beck had 43 yards rushing on 11 carries.
Beck was 11-of-28 passing for 84 yards. Gator receivers dropped at least a half dozen passes that should have easily been caught.
Dillon Nixon had five catches for 39 yards to lead the Gator receivers.
The Knights had 260 yards on total offense. Mareno threw for 215 yards and Rocky Bayou picked up 45 yards on the ground.
EmailNews Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gators surge past Knights (PHOTOS, VIDEO)