NICEVILLE — Six local senior high school football players took to the field one last time Thursday night in the Pensacola Sports Association Subway Series All-Star Football Game.
Baker School’s Austin Martin and Jonathan Gatewood, along with Crestview High School’s Nathan Gerard, D.J. Stewart, Tyrone “Moo Moo” Baker and Amp Seals, represented the East team against the West team. The East team was made up of players from Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties. The West team was players from Escambia County.
The West won 34-27 in a game that went down to the last second. Baker was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player for the East.
Baker, who spent most of the game in the East backfield from his defensive end position, wasn’t expecting to be named his team’s MVP.
“It surprised me,” he said. “It means a lot. Everybody worked just as hard as me and I’m proud to be a part of a great team.”
Baker’s Crestview teammate, offensive lineman Nathan Gerard, expressed the feelings of most players in the game.
“It was amazing,” he said. “I was just so proud to be nominated to be on this team. It was just a great experience.
“It was different (playing with guys from opposing teams), but we all worked together pretty well.”
While the players from Class 7A Crestview were used to playing at the higher level of competition, the players from Class 1A Baker School had to adjust to the pace of the game.
“I know now that it’s a lot different at the bigger schools,” Gatewood said. “The (offensive) linemen are quicker and as a defensive lineman I’ve got to react quicker if I want to go to the next level.
“It’s an eye opener to see the level of play everywhere else.”
Gatewood’s Gator teammate, Martin, also appreciated the opportunity to compete one last time.
“It was a new experience, but it was fun,” Martin said. “All in all, I had a good time doing it.
“The main challenge was just getting to know everybody and coming together as a team. It was a very nice way of capping it off (his high school football career).”
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Players end high school football career in all-star game