MACLENNY-Four weeks ago, Clay traveled to Maclenny to take on the Baker County Wildcats for the District 5-5A title. They left without a trophy and having to win on the road in the playoffs if they wanted a rematch.
They got it. Both Baker County and Clay won setting up Round 2 winner take all meeting Friday in Maclenny. Both love to run the ball with super stars Colin Wilson, Seth Paige and Joe Green taking the stage, but this one comes down to who can stop who.
Clay Blue Devils (8-3) at Baker County Wildcats (9-1)
Where: Memorial Stadium
When: 7:30 p.m.
What: Class 5A second round
Last meeting: Baker County won 28-14 in regular season
TOP PLAYERS
Clay
Jaylen Jenkins (Sr., ATH): 846 passing/9 TDs, 402 rushing/3 TD, 179 receiving/1 TD
Colin Wilson (Sr., RB): 129 carries for 1074 yards, 14 TDs
Caleb Eason (Jr., QB): 34 of 51 for 453 yards, 6 TD, 3 INTs
Cedric Brown (So., RB): 95 carries for 497 yards, 7 TDs
Ajay Belanger (Sr., WR): 27 catches for 531 yards, 8 TDs
Rico Schnitzler (Sr., LB): 118 tackles, 6 TFL
Evan Martin (Sr., DB): 101 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks
Marquez Delafield (Sr., DB): 3 INTs, 41 tackles
Baker County
Regular season stats
Joe Green (Sr., QB): 47 of 83 for 745 yards, 8 TD, 3 INT, 450 rushing/6 TD
Seth Paige (Sr., RB): 120 carries for 1159 yards, 19 TD
Josh Haygood (RB): 90 carries for 705 yards, 8 TD
Offense: 2259 rushing, 980 passing (393 ypg)
Defense: 790 rushing, 1162 passing (216 ypg)
Outlook: A lot has changed since these two met a month ago with the District 5-5A title at stake. Clay opened up the offense and moved Jenkins back to receiver the last three games, while moving up newcomer Caleb Eason to quarterback. The move has seemed to work as the offense 114 points over the last three games. With Jenkins at receiver, it should free up Belanger who was doubled team in the last meeting. The sudden emergence of Brown has allowed Wilson time to rest as well. Clay has no answer for containing or stopping the Wildcats rushing game of Green, Paige and Haygood. Green gets defenses to bite on Paige and then pulls the ball back and takes off for huge gains. While defenses key on stopping Paige, Haygood easily hits the edge or the middle of the field providing another spark on offense. The meeting four weeks came down to the fourth quarter and two defensive stops by the Wildcats we get no respect defense.
Who is next: Winner would travel to the Nature Coast-River Ridge winner in the third round of the playoffs next Friday.
Who do the fans like?
Class 5A second round game in Maclenny
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) November 16, 2016
