Oakleaf- Both teams came into the contest undefeated, but only one could leave unblemished. Both came into the game with the top play-makers in middle school football, but only one could leave on top. Both teams played hard throughout the game, but only one could last to the final whistle. It was Baker County who ran away with the game in the end 26-8 to remain undefeated on the season.
It was a stale-mate in the first quarter which saw both defenses stop the opposing offenses on fourth down. One of the top defensive plays was an interception by Michael Connor III of Oakleaf that stopped a Baker County drive in the first quarter.
However, Baker County’s defense would hold again, forcing a turnover on downs and giving their offense the ball back. Finally, the stale-mate ended when Baker County running back Chase Phillips broke a long run up the middle for a touchdown. The score and 2-point conversion would give the Bobcats a 8-0 lead in the second quarter.
Oakleaf could not get the offense going, as the Baker County defense kept stifling them at the line of scrimmage. Several player such as #53 Cortez Major and #9 Elmore Thompson were dominant forces on the defensive unit, penetrating the back-field and clogging running lanes.
Baker County would get the ball back, and go to their most trusted tool in their tool-box in running-back Chase Phillips. Like a “phillips screw-driver”, #8 Chase Phillips gets the job done. He would take a hand-off and zig-zag his way through defenders for a touchdown. The score would put Baker County up 14-0 in the second quarter.
Oakleaf needed an answer, so they turned to the man so nice that you have to say his name twice, #3 Michael “Mike Mike” Conner III. Conner would take the ensuing kick-off 80-yards for a touchdown. The amazing play was exactly what the Jackets needed to get back into the game, as Oakleaf closed the gap 14-8.
Oakleaf’s defense would gain energy and not give up after their leader made such an inspiring effort on special teams. The defense started to hit a little harder and play a little tougher to fight off the Bobcat onslaught. Oakleaf’s toughness was pay-off as they stopped Baker County on the 1-yard line to end the first half trailing by just 6-points.
Baker County would completely run away with the game in the second half of the game. Leading 14-8 to start the fourth quarter, #1 Jaden Mosley took over the game. First he would take a hand off right up the middle following the blocks of his big offensive linemen to the end-zone for a back-breaking score.
Later in the quarter, Mosley would hit another big time run up the middle, accelerating from 0 to 100 for the score. Mosley’s ability to stop on a dime was on full display and too much for Oakleaf defenders to stop.
Speaking of stops, fittingly Baker County’s defense would end any chance of an Oakleaf comeback when linebacker Hudson Hodges burst through the line for one of his many ackles on the night with a bone cruching hit to give the ball back to the offense.
After a big play on offense, the Wildcats would take a knee and the victory 26-8 over Oakleaf. Amazingly, it was Baker County’s 22nd consecutive win. They’ve scored 784 points during that span, only yeilding 48 points in those 22 contests. Coach Roberts, their head man, has been coaching for 58 years as another group of promising stars get ready to move up to high school after playing for him in middle school.
But first, Baker County must finish business. They have a home game in the first round of the playoffs where they will play the #4 seed. Win there, and they will host the championship again, looking to win their third championship in a row.
