MACLENNY – With the new playoff system firmly in place, coaches know the only way for certain to lock up a automatic playoff spot is to win your district.
Baker County took a gigantic step towards securing its third consecutive District 5-5A title with a 28-7 win over visiting Orange Park Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
Both Baker County and Orange Park entered Memorial Stadium with the goal of leaving with the top spot in 5-5A as both entered unbeaten in district play.
Yet despite being in the fourth spot of the Region II-5A power rankings, there was still a possibility of Baker County missing the playoffs with a loss.
Here come the Wildcats pic.twitter.com/nAtnXneSph
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 13, 2018
Fortunately that didn’t happen as the Wildcats dominated both sides of the ball and the line of scrimmage to take control of the 5-5A race.
The offensive line of Matthew McDuffie, Myles Morrison, Chase Hancock, Tyler Burnsed and Wesley Staggs manhandled the Raiders front seven allowing backs Jon Green and Scooby Graham to both have big nights.
While the defense led by Kelton Knabb, Kayden Hill, Tracy White, Chris Smith and Hancock locked down the Raiders offense and held them in check.
After giving up a first down on the Raiders opening drive, the Wildcats didn’t waste any time establishing the lead driving 80 yards in 9 plays capping the drive with a Alex Bowen 18 yard touchdown pass to Will Keinath putting the Wildcats ahead 7-0 with 5:18 left in the first.
Bowen recovered a high snap over his head on a punt attempt on the ensuing Wildcats possession, which gave the Raiders the ball at the 28 yard line.
Five plays later, Juwan Swain took a end around for a 8 yard score tying the game at 7-7 with 12.2 left in the first quarter.
Juwan Swain 9 yard run ties it at 7-7 with 12.2 left in first. @DuvalSports @FlaHSFootball pic.twitter.com/3rSV9xHaGL
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 13, 2018
That would be as close as the game would get, as the Wildcats went on a 21-0 run to take control of the game.
It wasn’t for a lack of effort on the Raiders part, as they drove inside the 20 twice and came up with no points, any kind of points on those drives would have made it a different game.
Vincent Walker 60 yard toss to Kendy Charles set up the Raiders inside the 16 yard line and a 22 yard run after a sack from Alex Collier moved the Raiders down to the 4 yard line.
However, three straight runs were stuffed by the Wildcats defensive front forcing a short 21 yard field goal Jean Bevile that never had a chance missing badly.
Both defensed turned up as the Raiders forced a quick three and out and Chase Hancock sacked Walker on a fourth and six play at midfield.
With great field position, the Wildcats took advantage of it as Bowen picked apart the Raiders secondary with his arm and kept them on their heels guessing by picking up key first downs with his legs.
Eleven plays after the sack, Scooby Graham’s 4 yard run on the left side put the Wildcats back in front 14-7 with 21.5 seconds left till half.
The score before the half was huge as the Wildcats took over to start the third quarter and had a chance to put the game away quickly.
Coming out of the locker room, the Wildcats seized control of the game as Graham busted a 14 yard run on the first play of the third quarter to bring the crowd back into it.
Four plays later, Graham found a hole and rumbled 21 yards down to the 10 yard line. Graham finished the drive with a 10 yard run increasing the lead to 21-7 barely two minutes into the second half.
Scooby Graham had two rushing touchdowns for the Wildcats tonight. pic.twitter.com/qAVbPVVcum
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 14, 2018
Things changed dramatically on the Raiders ensuing drive as tailback Alex Collier was stopped and met head on by Kelton Knabb, a helmet to helmet legal hit sent Collier to the ground motionless. Collier remained on his knees with his head still on the ground as referees and coaches immediately signaled for a rescue unit.
Collier was put in a neck brace, strapped to a backboard and then put on a stretcher before being taken off the field after several quiet intense moments as both teams stood in shock. Orange Park players huddled up near Collier on the ground and said a quick prayer.
Crowd is silenced as Alex Collier is down after short run and is being attended to by rescue unit on hand.
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 14, 2018
im ok ❤️ thank you for the prayers just need to rest up i’ll be back https://t.co/H4yLZwcC5p
— ManMan 3️⃣ (@therealac6__) October 14, 2018
After a lengthy delay to attend to Collier, the game resumed with the Raiders back on offense and incomplete pass forced another Raider punt.
Taking over near midfield, the Wildcats offense went back to work, two plays later Bowen found Chris Smith all alone on a fade route and Smith hauled in the 41 yard catch for a 28-7 lead with 7:42 left in the third.
Chris Smith hauled in a 41 yard touchdown reception from Alex Bowen to give Baker County a 28-7 lead in third. pic.twitter.com/ygfrCjzZMx
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 14, 2018
Walker and tailback Zykeim Sermons guided the Raiders down the field and back in the red zone down to the 16 yard line but the Wildcats defense forced three incomplete passes to take over possession at the 16 yard line with 5:56 left in the third.
Charles partially blocked Bowen’s punt giving the Raiders the ball at the 39 yard line with 5 minutes left in the game and another scoring chance.
However, the Wildcats defense kept them out of the end zone again as Walker fourth and 12 pass sailed incomplete giving the Wildcats the ball back with 2:39 left in the game.
Graham led the Wildcats with 151 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, while Green chipped in 49 yards on 10 carries, Bowen 32 yards on 9 carries and Knabb 7 yards on 2 carries. Bowen finished 5 of 9 for 76 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
“My offensive line was great tonight I kept telling them lets keep grinding and keep doing what we do,” Graham said. “Our defense is unstoppable, we have the best defense in the district hands down. From day one our goal was to win the district and get back to state.”
Baker County takes control of District 5-5A with 28-7 win over Orange Park tonight. pic.twitter.com/gHqrmUfVRw
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 14, 2018
“With three college players on the offensive line, that’s what we should look like,” Baker County head coach Jamie Rodgers said. “I told those guys if you want to play in college that’s what your suppose to do, play with an edge.”
Defensively the Wildcats played very aggressive and held the Raiders offense in check and nearly off the scoreboard if not for a bad snap.
“Those guys are relentless, we take a lot of pride in our defense and their goal is to not let any opponent score and really other than the turnover they did that,” Rodgers said. “We tackled really well tonight, our goal is to get 5 three and outs a game, a couple times they got inside the ten but we kept them out.”
Baker County (5-2, 3-0) hasn’t clinched the district yet, something Rodgers is well aware of with games remaining against Clay and Ridgeview looming.
“It shouldn’t be that hard for us to get up for Clay, for years Clay has always been the top team in the district and our guys understand what’s at stake and its a rivalry with them. If you can’t get up for Clay, you can’t get up for anybody.”
Baker County remains in control of District 5-5A with convincing win over OP. pic.twitter.com/brj2BqbMXD
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) October 14, 2018
