BAKER — Friday’s football game at Doug Griffith Stadium started with a turnover from both teams on their opening series.
After the Baker defense forced a three-and-out, sophomore running back Junior McLaughlin scored a 60-yard touchdown run.
In the following defensive series for Baker, sophomore cornerback Derek Peoples Jr. returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown. Junior running back Jalen Ciurleo scored a 13-yard touchdown run on a short field after Rocky Bayou turned the ball over on downs. Quarterback Kalee Ciurleo ran in a touchdown of his own during the following offensive series.
This was all in the first quarter.
Rocky Bayou ran in a 75-yard touchdown to end the period but missed the extra point. Those were the only six points that Baker’s defense allowed in the game. Rocky Bayou only got two first-downs the rest of the night: in the fourth quarter, when officials let the clock run down after Coach Matt Brunson put in his second string.
Jayson Moore, Lane Boone, Chris Roller Jr. and Josh Ramsey each scored a touchdown in the rout, giving eight scores to eight Gators on the night.
The final score was 56-6; Baker was still undefeated.
Brunson said he looks forward to Baker’s first district game on the road against Jay next week.
“Our goal is to win the district, get in the first round of the playoffs at home and see if we can get back into that semi-final round,” said Brunson, who credited his lines for the Gators’ success. “Our lines are getting better each week, and our success is a product of how well we’re playing up front.”
The “War on Highway Four” is Friday, Sept. 30 at Jay.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gators stay unbeaten in return to the Swamp