BAKER — Matt Brunson, entering his fifth year as his alma mater, Baker School's, head football coach is filled with expectations.
The Gators have won back-to-back district championships, but Brunson said the team is hungry for more.
“Our goal is to go another step further (in the playoffs) and to play on the weekend of Thanksgiving,” he said. “That would be the semifinals.”
The Gators seem to have all the key players in place to make a run in the playoffs, and Baker will focus on improving during the four weeks of spring football.
The Gators opened spring practice Monday with clearly defined goals.
“We spread it out some (on offense) last year and ran some stuff with some tempo,” Brunson said. “We are going to try and go faster. We are going to get our stuff in and we are going to read everything (at the line of scrimmage).
“Our motto this spring is going to be, ‘Option with tempo.’”
The Gators have the players in place to run the up tempo style Brunson wants.
Rising seniors Jon Beck, Austin Davis and Monte Barto man will be the starters in the backfield. Beck returns for his third full year as the starting quarterback.
Davis led the team in rushing last year at tailback and Barto split time at fullback with Austin Martin, who was a senior.
Tom Crowson will be Beck’s backup. Oakley Kimbrel, who also saw action at fullback, will split time with Barto at the position. Chris Roller, who played on the junior varsity last season, will backup Davis at tailback.
Rising seniors Bubba Ellis and Dakota Blackburn will anchor the offensive line.
The Gators will try to break in four new starters and two new cornerbacks on the defensive line.
Blackburn is a returning starter on the defensive line. Barto will be a force at linebacker, and Davis will man the safety position.
Brunson expects a productive spring.
“This group has been a hard-working group and our strength levels are there and our speed is getting right,” he said. “I think this is going to be a special group.
“We’ve got some guys that have grown a little and they are definitely faster and definitely stronger.
"We want to get out there in spring ball and put on the gear for the first time and see how they have developed. It’s an exciting time.”
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker Gators open spring football with big expecations (VIDEO)