GRACEVILLE — A member of the Baker Gator spirit line pointed out fog looming over the stadium in Baker’s first road game in over a month.
It was a metaphor to describe the Gators’ demeanor in the game’s first three quarters.
A fumble by the Baker offense one yard shy of the end zone, followed by a 99-yard scoring drive by Graceville, put the Gators behind for the first time since their last road game.
Jalen Ciurleo answered back immediately with a kick return for a touchdown and Rashaun Smith blocked a field goal attempt on Graceville’s following drive.
The momentum shift wouldn’t last, however. Graceville was just too tough.
At halftime, Baker was down 14-7, but the feeling on the sideline was as if the game and their season were all but over — no chatter, heads down, blank stares of frustration and disbelief.
Who was going to make the inspirational halftime locker room speech to light a fire under the Gators? Defensive coordinator Keith White called it more of a “Come to Jesus meeting.”
White said that Graceville was, “taking it to us, and we were just taking it.”
Senior Jamaal Day felt motivated. “Coach White just kept asking us, ‘Who’s gonna be tougher?’”
It took a scoreless third quarter for everything to sink in. Logan Rickmon made the two biggest catches of his life to help the Gators mount a fourth-quarter comeback.
With a minute remaining, the Gator defense was in old yet familiar territory, having to mount a goal line stand like they did against Blountstown in week two.
Baker’s defense was successful, showing that they make the difference, allowing them to make a better push for the state title than in years past.
Baker’s journey isn’t over, though. The Gators must cross the Choctawhatchee River yet again and face the team that gave them their biggest challenge of the season.
Baker plays in Blountstown on Black Friday for the FHSAA Class 1-A semifinals at 7:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gators move on to Thanksgiving Four