BAKER — Simply put, the District 1-1A football title is on the line Friday as Baker host Northview in a small school showdown.
Not only will the game determine the district champion, it also will assure the winner home field advantage if the two were to meet in the second round of the playoffs. And for good measure Baker’s 19-game regular season winning streak is on the line with the last Gator loss coming to Northview on Nov. 2, 2012.
Gator Coach Matt Brunson said his team is just where it had hoped to be at this point in the season.
“Our guys have done a great job all year,” he said. “If we could have written a script for this season we would be right on schedule.
“We have fought through some adversity. We had some injuries early in the season and we’ve tweaked a few things as we went along and I feel like we’ve gotten better all year.”
Northview’s (7-1, 2-0) only loss came at the hands of Class 6A Choctawhatchee. The Chiefs beat Freeport 43-9 and Jay 53-20 in district play.
The Gators (8-0, 2-0) are coming off a nice homecoming win and playing their best football of the season. Baker beat Freeport 48-6 and Jay 42-14.
Win or lose Friday night both team will still be playing football when the playoffs start Nov. 14.
“The game Friday night is not an elimination game,” Brunson said. “But it is for a district championship and for home field advantage in the playoffs. Our guys understand all of that and I think they will be ready.”
Brunson admitted that Northview is probably the fastest team the Gators have faced this year.
The speed of the Chiefs coupled with Northview’s mixed bag offense that will feature everything from a double-wing to a spread formation could present problems for the Gators.
“We have to take perfect angles (when running to the football),” Brunson said. “We have to play perfect technique. We have to have discipline on defense, read our keys and get to the right spots.
“We will have a plan and hopefully we will be successful, but we have to go out and execute it and make plays.”
Brunson said the Chiefs will line up in a 3-4 defense that is similar to what the Gators have seen several times this year. But, he was quick to point out Northview has better players than anyone Baker has faced.
Brunson is hoping Baker’s multiple offenses will cause the Chiefs some trouble.
“Our kids are very smart and able to adjust to a lot of different things,” he said. We’ve been spread, under center, we’ve run some option and we’ve run some Wing-T.
“They definitely have a lot to prepare for. We will see what works and go with it.”
Brunson said he felt the Gators had an element of surprise last year when they upset the Chiefs, but this year that surprise factor is gone.
“Last year I felt like we slipped up on them a little bit,” he said. “I don’t think that will happen this year. We will have their full attention.”
UPCOMING
WHAT: High school football, Northview vs. Baker
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Baker School, Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium
EmailNews Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: District title on the line as Gators host Northview