Coming off a state runner-up finish last season, a lot was still expected from the Baker County Wildcats this season but things have been up and down all season. However, a win Friday night would go along way towards solidifying another solid season. Here is a rundown of what to expect Friday night at Nature Coast.
REGION 2-5A
No. 4 Baker County (7-4) at No. 1 Nature Coast (10-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Shark Tank
About Baker County: To say it’s been a roller coaster type of season for the Wildcats would be an understatement. Coming off a state runner-up finish last season, you knew they would likely take a step back after the loss of a huge senior class, just didn’t expect this kind of season at all. A close loss to St. Augustine at the time was not a cause of concern at all but struggle wins over Ed White and Ribault were head scratchers, however a 27 point win over Menendez and a win over Palatka seemed to get them on the right track again. A shut out loss to First Coast was definitely the low point of the year, however they rebounded to win their third consecutive district title with wins over Clay and Orange Park. As up and down the season has been, the Wildcats are finally getting into their playoff groove again after a 28-14 win over Hernando last week. Now comes the daunting task of trying to stop likely the most potent rushing attack they will have faced all season long. Which means the front seven and guys like senior linebacker Kelton Knabb, senior defensive end Chase Hancock and junior defensive end Kayden Hill will be heavily relied on like usual to play discipline football and try to contain the Sharks attack. Offensively, the Wildcats are led by junior quarterback Alex Bowen, sophomore tailback Scooby Graham, senior athlete John Green, senior receiver Will Keineth, fullback Kelton Knabb and senior receiver Chris Smith along with a massive offensive line featuring seniors Max McDuffie, Tyler Burnsed, Myles Morrison and Hancock. Grind it out lengthy drives would go along way in taking control of the game as the Wildcats have plenty of weapons to move the ball down the field behind the arm of Bowen, the running of Graham, the arm or running of Green, the bruising physical running of Knabb and the receiving core of tight end Hancock and receivers Keineth and Smith. The longer the Wildcats are able to keep the Sharks offense off the field they longer they are able to stay in the game and pull the upset. Of course one thing we have learned from covering Baker County over the years is never count out that coaching staff, Hank Farmer, Greg Harrison, Scott McDonald, Brock Canaday, Josh Donaldson, Freddie Smith, John Staples and the head ball coach Jamie Rodgers. The staff is responsible for three consecutive district titles and a 29-8 record over the last three years. Rodgers is 57-17 over the last six years between Baker County and Suwannee including six straight playoff appearances. The man can flat out coach especially when it comes to the playoffs where he has guided his teams to at least the second round five of his six years, including trips to the third round in 2015, state semi’s in 2014 and state title game in 2017.
About Nature Coast: Nature Coast won’t need any extra motivation for this one as the Sharks were knocked out of the first round of the playoffs on the road last season 34-7 by Baker County. You can bet the team, staff and fans haven’t forgot that. Its not secret what the Sharks are going to do on offense give it to their senior tailback Michael Weston nearly every play. Weston scorched Eastside last week with 240 yards and 4 touchdowns on 38 carries and has now run for 2.518 yards and 31 touchdowns on 324 carries. Stop Weston and you have a really good chance to come away with a win, easier said than done though. As Weston goes, the Sharks offense goes it seems as the Sharks have only thrown the ball 84 times this season and are 33 yards from reaching 4.000 rushing yards. That’s not to say junior quarterback Fabian Burnett can’t throw it, he’s 55 of 84 for 830 yards and 12 touchdowns, they just likely haven’t had a need to. As teams concentrate on stopping Weston, Burnett has other weapons like junior receiver Cai Teague (14 catches for 299 yards, 21.4 y.p.c., 7 TD) to go to. Defensively, the Sharks are led by a pair of linebackers junior Anthony Houston (116 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, sack), senior Corey Peterson (98 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 4 sacks) and a secondary featuring senior Shemar Lawson (6 INT) and sophomore Kinyatah Morgan (5 INT). These two have two teams in common as Nature Coast opened the season on the road at Ridgeview and lost 30-27 and hasn’t loss since winning 10 in a row, including a 35-14 win over Hernando; while Baker County lost to Ridgeview 24-21 and beat Hernando 28-14 last week in the first round.
Joe Pinkos: Nature Coast by 5
Next: Baker County would travel to the North Marion/Zephyrhills winner next week in the Elite 8 of the playoffs.
Helmets courtesy of FloridaHSFootball.com
