Starke Fl- There’s no atmosphere quite like Bradford County High School in Starke Florida on a Friday night. Add the fact that it’s a 70 degree late November Friday night with a Class 2S Regional Final on the line, and you’ve got the perfect storm for a heated playoff matchup, featuring visiting Baker County against neighbor Bradford County.
Fireworks went off just before kickoff in the air and then proceeded to go off on the field, as both teams made spectacular plays to start. In fact, the very first play from scrimmage saw Baker County complete a long pass down field, but was nullified by two off-setting penalties.
The intensity would remain high with both teams. After Bradford forced Baker County to turnover the ball on downs, Baker County would stifle the Tornadoes when defensive end Orlando Holland raced in for a sack. Baker County would be forced to punt.
After another punt by Baker County, Bradford started to move the ball as running back Willie Pollard found running lanes. With first and goal on the 1-yard line, Bradford attempted to punch it in the endzone, however Baker County would stuff Bradford on first down, and cause a fumble on second down which was picked up by Makhai Mosely and returned 94-yards to the Bradford 5-yard line.
Baker County’s Blake Mays would score the first points of the game on a touchdown to give Baker County a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
Bradford would respond to the score with a score of their own. Willie Pollard would take the hand off and race aroun the right side for a 46-yard score as the game was tied 7-7 in the second quarter.
It was Baker County’s turn to respond and they did by changing up personnel. They inserted Jabari Ruise into the game at quarterback to run zone read. This would open an alley for running back Davion Dean who took the hand off and raced 50-yards down to the Baker County 25-yard line.
Shortly after the play Baker County’s Cam Smith would take it off tackle for a short touchdown run up the middle as Baker County took a 14-7 lead in the second.
Bradford would attempt to put point on the board before thre end of the half, driving near mid field with less than 30 second to play in the half, but Gaker County’s Blake Mays intercepted a pass down the middle of the field and returned it into Bradford territory.
After a penalty on Bradford county instituted an untimed down, the Wildcats would extend the lead to 17-7 on a field goal. They would take that lead into halftime.
In the second half, Bradford came out explosive on the very first play. Those fireworks would come from Jametrius Pringle, who took the opening secodn half kickoff all the way for a Tornado touchdown. The spectacular play changed the momentum of the game, and gave Bradford much needed momentum again.
The second half was a completely different story for Baker County. What seemed to work in the first half was inoperable in the second, as Baker County completely cooled off. Unable to move the ball, the Wildcat’s would be forced to play defens. That defense would crack on 4th and short when Bradford’s Jeremiah McKenzie took the direct snap and ran off the right side for a long 40-yard touchdown.
Leading 21-17, Bradford could now pin their ears back, get after the quarterback, and that’s exactly what they did. Defensive end Torin Brazell came up with two crucial sacks in the game, one forcing a long field goal by Baker County that sailed short. The other sack, stopping a 4th down play by Baker County.
Bradford would then commence to sealing the win. McKenzie would drop back on 3rd down and hit Chason clark on a quick tight end pop pass, and Clark would do the rest, racing 79-yards for a final touchdown.
Bradford’s defense put a cherry on top of the second hald of whip cream when safety Chail Cummings intercepted a deep pass by Baker County which ended any hope of a comeback. The Tornadoes would advance by defeating Baker County 28-17.
Bradford (12-1) will advance to face Cocoa in the State Semifinal next Friday. Cocoa (9-3) defeated South Sumpter 35-7 in their Region 3 final contest.
