BAKER — It's been 13 years since Baker School's football team won a playoff game. The Gators will try to end that drought 7:30 p.m. Friday when they host Graceville in the Region 1-1A state semifinals. Tickets cost $8.
This will be the second season meeting between Graceville (5-5) and Baker, who beat the Tigers 30-27 in the season's first game. Gator Coach Matt Brunson hopes familiarity with the Tigers will help the Gators.
“… We played week one and we were new to everything we were doing offensively,” he said. “It was our first game setting (running their offense). They defended us and made some adjustments. I’m hoping we are further along now that we can adjust and do some things back to them."
Ty Wise — Northview's offensive coordinator when the Chiefs won the 2012 state championship — coaches Graceville. Brunson said the Tigers run a similar offense to the Chiefs.
“They are very multiple, offensively,” he said. “… They get in and out of several different formations. They go from the double wing, two tight (end) set and then they will be spread all over the field… We’ve seen just about everything, from double wing to the Wing-T to an I formation to the spread. At this point in the season, we are pretty well ready to line up and adjust to whatever formation they come out in.”
The Gators (9-1) turned the ball over three times in the loss to South Walton. Baker must return to playing smart Gator football to beat the Tigers, Brunson said. “We have to get into a formation that we like and get through some things they give us,” he said. We have to take care of the football and keep the chains moving and do what we do.”
“To get to where we want to — we want to be one of the teams in the north (part of the state) that you have to play and contend with to get to the state finals — we have to get out of the first round,” he said.
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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gators eye end to playoff drought