BRATT — Two years ago a hungry Baker School football team took the field at Northview High School in search of its first district championship in a dozen years.
The Gators accomplished the mission that night beating the then defending state champion Chiefs.
Baker returned to Northview on Friday seeking a third straight district title. The sophomores on the 2013 team are now seniors and intent on carrying out that proud Gator tradition.
There would be no upset Friday as Baker continued the championship run with a 35-21 win over the Chiefs to claim the District 1-1A title.
“Two years over here was an awesome night,” Baker coach Matt Brunson said. “These guys have battled hard and gotten better all year. We take pride in district championships and I’m proud of this group carrying it in to three in a row.
“When we needed to run the ball and get first downs and score touchdowns our offensive line did an awesome job. District championships are awesome, but we need to make a little run in the playoffs.”
Run the ball is just what the Gators did picking up 299 yards on the ground on 48 carries.
Montae Barto led the Baker (7-2, 2-0) charge scoring three touchdowns on runs of four, 11 and 19 yards.
On the final score Barto lowered his shoulder and used his 220 pound frame to run through and over would-be tacklers.
And while Barto found the end zone three times on 12 carries for 63 yards it was Jalen Ciurleo who led the Gators in rushing, He finished the night with 158 yards on 15 carries.
The Chiefs (2-7, 1-1) struck first scoring on a 2-yard run by Toney Harrison with 4:43 left in the first quarter.
Baker’s first score of the night came on a 5-yard run by Austin Davis with 11:03 left in the half. Davis’ score came after the Chiefs failed to convert on a fourth down at their own 23-yard line. Josh Springle added the extra point and the Gators led the rest of the way.
Barto scored the next three Gator touchdowns. The first two came in the second quarter and the third came on the opening drive of the third quarter to put Baker up 28-8.
A 74-yard run by Jalen Ciurleo set up Barto’s first touchdown run. A 47-yard pass from Jon Beck to Kalee Ciurleo was the big play that led to Barto’s second score.
The Chiefs answered Barto’s third quarter with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Gavin Grant to Jacob Dunsford that made the score 28-15 with 4:40 left in the third quarter.
Less than a minute later Jalen Ciurleo scored from 53 yards out to put the Gators back up by 20.
Luke Ward scored for Northview midway through the fourth quarter, but there wasn’t enough come back left in the Chiefs.
As the song “Final Countdown” echoed through the stadium the Gators were counting down to a three-peat and looking forward to hosting the opening round of the playoffs on Nov. 13.
“It feels great to get three district championships back-to-back,” Beck said. “It’s something special you won’t forget.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker downs Northview for third straight district title (PHOTOS)