BAKER — It seems as if the more things change with the Florida High School Athletic Association’s football district reclassifications, the more they stay the same for Baker School’s football team.
The Gators, who have won the past two district titles, have been in District 1-1A the last four years, along with Freeport, Jay and Northview. The FHSAA’s recent reclassification proposal did nothing to change Baker’s district for the next four years.
'NATURAL RIVALRIES'
For the most part, Baker athletic director and head football Coach Matt Brunson is happy with staying in the same district.
“Those are our natural rivalries (Freeport, Jay and Northview),” he said. “We’ve been in that district the last four years so it’s fitting. It would be good if they made the districts a little larger, which would give us some more guaranteed games.
“But our district has been pretty evenly matched.”
For the most part, scheduling won’t change too much. Brunson said teams will continue to sign two-year contracts giving them a home game and away game with each opponent.
That doesn’t mean Baker’s schedule will look exactly like it has recently.
“We will play some different teams than we’ve played the last couple of years,” Brunson said. “But we don’t have all that locked down yet.”
FAMILIARITY FACTOR
Brunson quickly shoots down any suggestion that the Gators play Crestview.
The best thing Brunson sees in staying in the same district is familiarity with the opposition.
“We play each of our district opponents in JV ball and we kind of keep up with personnel,” he said. “It’s good to always know what (players) they’ve got and what they’ve got coming…
“Our region, which is District 1 and 2, did not change. Our goal is to win the district championship and make a run in the playoffs. To do that, you have to win your region, and we are very familiar with those teams.”
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 stay in same district, eye same goals