BAKER — Baker quarterback Jalen Ciurleo has to correct people all the time.
His surname, with its Italian ancestry, is pronounced Chuh-lay-oh.
Get used to it and get it right, because Jalen, his twin brother Kalee and their Baker football teammates deserve respect. With a 49-0 victory over Liberty County, the Gators (10-0) are undefeated and well on their way to making noise in the 1A state playoffs.
“It’s amazing. We worked hard over the summer and we’ve been working hard the whole year. It’s a great feeling to be sitting here undefeated,” said Ciurleo, a Gators running back entering this season. “But now that the playoffs are here, we’ve got to take it game by game.”
On Friday night against Liberty County in Baker, Ciurleo had 153 yards of total offense, including 111 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Baker will host District 2-1A runner-up Cottondale at home in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday in the first round of the playoffs. The winner advances to meet either Northview or 2-1A champ Graceville in the regional final on Nov. 18.
Q&A
How tough was it to actually pull off? You guys beat two teams that beat you last year.
JC: It was pretty hard, but we’re very disciplined and we listen to our coaches. Our coaches do a great job.
When did you realize you had a chance to do it?
JC: I think it was the South Walton game (in Week 6, Baker beat the Seahawks 35-9 in Santa Rosa Beach). I felt after that game we could go all the way.
When did you actually first start playing football?
JC: I’ve been playing since I was a little kid. I played in the Shalimar city league.
What’s your favorite memory from playing football?
JC: It’s probably now going undefeated because it’s just been amazing.
Who’s your favorite college or NFL player? Why?
JC: I like Ezekiel Elliot. I’ve been watching him ever since he was at Ohio State. I was watching his highlights the other day and a graphic popped up with what his strengths are. It was like well-balanced runner, great footwork and agility, great vision, burst through holes. And his speed. I try to work on all that.
He’s brought a change to the NFL. He’s doing his thing.
So are you a Cowboys fan?
JC: I’m actually a Falcons fan.
Do you think with guys like him (and David Johnson and Davonta Freeman) the NFL will go back to being a run-first league?
JC: It could, but there’s a lot of good receivers now, too. It depends on what kind of team it is and what kind of players they’ve got.
If you could go to dinner with three guests, dead or alive, who would you go with?
JC: My brother, of course. Drake and Emmitt Smith.
What’s your favorite sport other than football?
JC: Basketball. I’m also thinking about doing track this year. I did it in middle school but I haven’t done it since. I’d do the 200 and maybe the 400.
DN: If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
JC: Steak and mashed potatoes.
DN: Name a product you use all the time that you’d happily be the spokesperson for?
JC: Jordan Brand.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'IT'S AMAZING'