BAKER — Bubba Ellis is on the move for Baker School’s football team.
The rising senior is a two-year starter at center, but this spring he has moved one gap over on the line to right guard.
Gator Coach Matt Brunson is quick to compliment the offensive line's anchor.
“He’s a three-year starter,” Brunson said. “He’s handled all the snapping duties the last two years and he’s done a great job. We haven’t had any bad snaps and we changed from being under center to going in the (shot) gun, and he did a great job.”
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Ellis is excited about the move to a new position.
“I think I’m a whole lot more mobile there,” he said. “I think I can help us at guard more than at center.
“It’s just seeing everything from a different point of view. I’m used to seeing everything from the center of the line, but now I’m on the right side of the line.”
It didn’t take Brunson long to realize Ellis was going to be a good player.
“He was a good middle school player,” Brunson said. “He was a great JV (junior varsity player) and he kind of moved right up strength levels. He worked hard and got strong enough to play on the varsity and he’s done a great job for us.
“He’s a smart kid too. He can help the kids that line up beside him know what to do.”
Baker quarterback Jon Beck feels a certain comfort knowing Ellis is on the line.
“It means a lot to have him up front,” Beck said. “It’s a big help having him on the offensive line, that’s for sure.”
Ellis takes pride in the fact that he will be a three-year starter and a part of two district championship teams. But he still has some unfinished business.
“It means everything (the starting on the district championship teams),” he said. “It makes me want to go out and do more and win a state championship.
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bubba Ellis makes his mark on Baker School's line