JAY – “The War on Highway Four” dubbed by Baker coach Matt Brunson was more like an all-out invasion of Jay.
Junior quarterback Kalee Ciurleo – whose name was consistently mispronounced by the Royals’ public address announcer – set the narrative when he ran over 60 yards for a touchdown in the first play of the game.
Kalee’s twin brother, junior running back Jalen Ciurleo, ran in two touchdowns after the Gator defense forced a three and out and a blocked punt respectively in the two following series.
Baker led 21-0 in the first five minutes of the game.
Austin Oglesby caught an interception early in the second quarter to earn the defense’s coveted championship belt for the game. Derek Peoples Jr, Jayson Moore and Chris Roller Jr. each scored touchdowns respectively. Backup quarterback Ryan Stoutenburgh came in with the rest of the second string since the officials allowed the game clock to continuously run down in the second half.
The only negative moment for the Gators was when sophomore running back Junior McLaughlin – who was their primary running threat coming into this game – came out early with an injury to his right knee. In the second half, however, McLaughlin was standing on his own with his teammates on the sideline.
The second-string defense only allowed six points from the Royals early in the fourth quarter.
The Gators’ 42-6 win over Jay was an important one since it was a district game. A win over Northview in four weeks puts them in the playoffs with home-field advantage in the first game. According to the rules of the FHSAA, those are the only games that matter.
While Baker’s game next week against the South Walton Seahawks may not be a district matchup, it will be a game between two 5-0 Class 1-A teams. But that game won’t matter, right?
Baker plays South Walton in Santa Rosa Beach on Oct. 7.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker Gators win their first district game of the season