BAKER — Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium was the scene for Friday’s District 1-1A football showdown between the host Baker School Gators and the Freeport Bulldogs.
When the dust had settled the home standing Gators had dispelled any rumors of a Freeport upset with a decisive 48-6 win as the final 18 minutes of the game were played with a running clock.“We played with great intensity,” Gator Coach Matt Brunson said. “And we played a physical style that I think gave them trouble tonight.
“Our guys had a great offseason and I think we are going to be peaking at the right time at the start of our district play and I think this is definitely the best effort so far and I’m proud of these guys just to be 1-0 in the district.”
Baker (5-0, 1-0) abandoned the shotgun formation it has used all season with starting center Bubba Ellis sidelined after suffering a concussion last week.
Baker-Freeport football photos>>>
Going back in the traditional I-formation with Alec Black making his first start at center didn’t bother the Gators a bit as they ran for 296 yards on 43 carries.
Austin Davis led the charge with 93 yards on 11 carries and first quarter touchdown runs of 13 and 18 yards.
Montae Barto added 80 yards on 14 carries and a 1-yard run. Austin Martin needed just five carries to gain 69 yards. Martin’s 27-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was the longest scoring offensive play of the night.
Baker only went to the air three times. Quarterback Jon Beck connected with Josh Long on two of those passes. On the second pass, which covered 13 yards, Long made a one-handed catch and secured the ball as he crossed the goal line for a score.
Beck said the Gators were determined not to have a repeat of last week’s game against Rocky Bayou Christian when they came out of the gate flat.
“This week we fixed it (being flat) and came out with a win,” he said. “This is big for momentum. This game here was a big mindset thing that has us pushing in the right direction.”
The Gator defense got in on the act as well as Baker extended its regular season winning streak to 16 games.
Jacob Nixon had an interception return of more than 50 yards that set up Barto’s score.
David Oglesby returned a Dillon Bates interception 86 yards for a touchdown late in the first half. Only a missed extra point after the Oglesby score kept the Gators from enjoying the running clock the entire second half.
Defensive lineman Alante Coleman had his third interception in as many games as the first half ended.
The Bulldog offense struggled throughout the night and had less than 120 yards total yards.
The running clock had started by the time Kelvic Thompson scored Freeport’s (3-3, 0-1) only touchdown with 11:15 left in the game.
Baker finished off the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run by backup quarterback Nate Taylor and Josh Springle’s fourth extra point of the night.
Brunson admitted that district game aside the Gators had a little extra incentive.
“We definitely did not want (Daily News sports writer) Devin Golden’s prediction of the streak disappearing happening tonight,” he said.
EmailNews Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gators put chomp on Bulldogs (PHOTOS)