BAKER — A perfect regular season is on the line Friday night when Baker School's football team travels to Santa Rosa Beach. They Gators will face a tough South Walton team in a battle of district champions.
The Seahawks, District 3-1A champions, bring an 8-1 record into the game, with their only loss coming to Class 4A Walton by a score of 27-17.
The Gators (9-0) wrapped up the District 1-1A championship last week with a win over Northview.
Baker Coach Matt Brunson believes the game will be a good test for the Gators as they prepare for playoffs.
“This week is going to enable us to play in a playoff atmosphere against the District 3 champions,” he said. “We will definitely be tested. They do a great job with their spread offense.
“I tell you this: Phil Tisa (South Walton head coach), in my book, is one of the most innovative young minds coming up in the ranks of coaching. You turn on the film and they look like (the University of) Oregon on offense and Michigan State on defense. I think it will be a great high school football game."
Both teams feature high-powered offenses and strong defenses.
South Walton has scored a staggering 404 points this year, averaging 44.9 points a game. The Seahawk defense has held the opposition to 113 points, which averages to less than 12 points per game.
Baker has scored 321 points and allowed 129 points.
The Seahawks run a 3-4 defense and are a much improved defensive squad, Brunson said.
“They look a lot stronger than they did in the past,” he said. “They get after it and pressure the ball. Maybe we can knock some holes in there (with the run game), but we are going to have to throw it a little bit too. Maybe some stuff will be open down the field with them getting so many guys inside to stop the run.”
Brunson isn’t concerned about the Gators looking past South Walton and to the playoffs.
“We have a special group of young men and they’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do,” Brunson said. “We are the undefeated district champions and we would love to run this thing (their record) to 10-0.
“Our guys will be focused. We will have a great week of preparation and they will be ready to play Friday night.”
UPCOMING
WHAT: High school football, Baker at South Walton
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: South Walton High School
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 face competitive South Walton team