SANTA ROSA BEACH — A busy summer is ahead for Baker School’s football team before the start of the 2015 season.
The Gators closed out spring practice Thursday night at South Walton in a jamboree against the host Seahawks and Rocky Bayou Christian School.
Baker jamboree photos vs. South Walton and Rocky Bayou>>>
Baker’s starters lost to South Walton 7-0 and tied Rocky Bayou 7-7.
A pair of touchdowns by Jayson Moore helped power the Baker backups and junior varsity to a 21-14 win over South Walton.
Baker Coach Matt Brunson took Thursday’s results in stride knowing full well spring games mean nothing.
“We’ve got to get in shape,” he said. “I think we made some good plays and we had some plays that were maybe not so good. At the same time South Walton does a great job and Josh Childers (the head coach) does a great job at Rocky Bayou.
“I think it was a good little jamboree.”
Brunson joked that one thing he could have done better was win the coin toss. In both varsity quarters the opposition won the toss and had the first shot on offense.
The Seahawks took their opening drive the length of the field and scored on 55-yard touchdown pass from Austin Garofalo to Jireh Crittenden.
The Gators picked up a quick first down on runs by Jon Beck and Austin Davis, but were unable to sustain the drive.
South Walton’s second drive of the night ended when Montae Barto picked off a deflected pass. But the Gators were unable to capitalize on the Seahawk miscue as South Walton won the quarter.
Like South Walton, Rocky Bayou scored on its first possession. But rather than striking quickly with a big play the Knights marched downfield with the running game.
Quarterback David Mareno scored on a 4-yard run to put Rocky Bayou in front.
Baker’s offense continued to struggle until late in the quarter when the Gators went to more of a hurry up attack.
Beck did most of the damage with his legs and scored from nine yards out to tie things up.
Baker forced the Knights into a quick three and out, but was unable to score in the final minute of play.
The next time the Gators see Rocky Bayou and South Walton will be on back-to-back Fridays in the fall. Brunson said Baker will be ready.
“The kids understand we have to get in shape,” he said. “We will be playing four quarters in the fall and they saw where our conditioning was.
“We’ve got some to work to do. We have some things to improve on and move forward. We’ve got to finish drives and play good defense."
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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker's football team has work to do (PHOTOS, VIDEO)