BAKER — Spring practice for Baker School’s football team concludes tonight, when the Gators travel to South Walton for a jamboree.
Baker’s young guns and backups will take on South Walton in the first and second quarters. The Gator starters will play the host Seahawks in the third quarter and Rocky Bayou Christian in the fourth quarter.
Baker Coach Matt Brunson will use the game to evaluate players trying to earn playing time on the varsity in the fall.
“ We’ve got a lot of guys with a lot of experience that we know are going to be fine,” Brunson said. “But it’s an exciting time to get these young guys coming up and get them in these starting roles in a game situation against an opponent and see how they respond. I think it’s going to be exciting to watch them.
“I think we are going to have a good football team. It might take us a couple of weeks to get going in the fall to get these young guys some game experience, but I think we are going to be just fine.”
Baker’s offensive backfield includes Jon Beck at quarterback, Austin Davis at tailback and Montae Barto at fullback.
Things aren’t as clear cut up front, where the Gators are trying to find several starters on the offensive and defensive lines.
“We definitely want to be physical on the line of scrimmage,” Brunson said. “That will be a key because we have about half the group as new starters there.
“Montae Barto is anchoring the middle of our defense, but we’ve got some new outside linebackers working in. We are going to rotate those guys and see who does well in a game setting.
Brunson also sees the game as something the players can enjoy after giving a good effort throughout the spring.
“The main thing is I think the spring game is also a reward,” he said. “These guys have been practicing hard now for about three-and-a-half weeks. And they get a chance to play somebody rather than hitting on themselves.
“Everybody will play over at South Walton, and that’s our goal. If we have to try and make a play at the end, we will try and win.
"Hopefully, we will be in striking distance and we will take a shot.”
UPCOMING
WHAT: Baker School spring football jamboree
WHEN: 6 p.m. tonight
WHERE: South Walton High School, Santa Rosa Beach
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker's football team wraps up spring practice in jamboree