BAKER — There shouldn’t be any surprises Friday night at Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium when Baker hosts Franklin County for Homecoming 2014.
The Gators (7-0) are coming off a big 42-14 District 1-1A win over rival Jay and are riding an 18-game regular season winning streak.
Baker has outscored the opposition 251-95 this year.
The Seahawks are heading the opposite direction from Baker. Franklin County is 0-7 and has been outscored 288-64 on the season. Things are even worse in the last four games, as the Seahawks have been hammered a combined 187-23.
Baker Coach Matt Brunson admits things couldn’t be going much better for his team.
“It’s great to be a Gator,” he said. “It’s great to be 2-0 in the district and to have locked down a playoff spot with the big Homecoming festivities this week.
“We are going to have a reunion of the 1984 state championship team, but it’s a great environment and atmosphere here around Baker Country this week.”
In theory, this week’s Homecoming game against what seems to be an outmanned opponent could cause Baker problems. The Gators are coming off a big district win last week and host Northview to decide the District 1-1A championship a week from Friday.
If Brunson is concerned about his team having a letdown, he’s not showing it.
“Our goal for this week is to keep improving as a football team, which our guys have done every week, and ultimately to get a good win over Franklin County and for everybody to have a good Homecoming,” he said. “I think there are some alumni that will be coming in, or members of the ‘84 team that haven’t seen us play before so it’s very important for us to play well.”
Brunson expects the Seahawks to line up in a Power-I offense and to run a 3-4 defense. The Gators have seen similar offenses and defense and Brunson is confident Baker will handle whatever Franklin County tries on either side of the football.
If Friday’s game against Jay is any indication Brunson has every reason for his confidence.
Gator quarterback Jon Beck had perhaps the best game of his career, running for more than 100 yards and three touchdowns while throwing for another 100 yards and two touchdowns. Linebacker Montae Barto also came up big against the Royals with 24 tackles.
“I think we played our best game against Jay Friday night,” Brunson said. “I thought we played real well against Freeport (Oct. 3). Our guys are hitting their stride right now at the right time.
“We are going to keep trying to improve the things we do getting ready for a district championship game next week and, at the same time, get ready for Franklin County. It should be a good week for the Gators.”
UPCOMING
WHAT: High school football, Franklin County at Baker
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Baker School, Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gators host Franklin County for Homecoming