Macclenny Fl- The Bobcats of Baker County won their 4th consecutive middle school championship Tuesday, defeating the Oakleaf Junior High Yellow Jackets 16-12. With the historic win, Baker County middle has connected it’s current 8th grade class with Baker County High School’s 2025 class. Next year, every player in high school will have won a football championship. Meaning we should definitely keep an eye on the Baker County Wildcats next year.
As for the Bobcats, they found themselves in a rematch with Oakleaf Junior High, a team they faced last year in the championship. The result was the same, as Baker County drove down the field thanks to quarterback Nate Welch. The end result was a touchdown run by Detron Ruise to open the scoring of the game. Ruise would run in the 2-point conversion to make the score 8-0.
Detron Ruise scores twice for Baker County Middle School vs Oakleaf Jr High in the NEFAC championship pic.twitter.com/GMI6Ww08Sv
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) October 25, 2023
Ruise would get into the endzone for a second touchdown in the first half to increase the Bobcats lead 14-0. This time, Jabron Elliot would rumble in for a 2-point conversion to make the score 16-0. Elliot and Ruise have both been an amazing pair for Baker County. Quite possibly the most dominating duo in the last four years that the Bobcat’s have seen.
Baker County Middle 7 Oakleaf Junior High 0, 5:38, 2nd pic.twitter.com/s1ESBvLjLE
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) October 24, 2023
Oakleaf would respond, with the heart of champions just like they have all year. The team faced adversity this season, but overcame it to go 4-2 in the regular season. They’d get revenge against Lakeside 12-6 to win a playoff game, and return to the title game. Players like Amari Green and Landon Nichols have been impact players this year.
Against Baker County in the championship, Jaylon Willis and Gunner Castle would both score touchdowns in the game to bring the contest to within two points. Running behind big linemen like Isaac Glover, they once again showed that never say die altitude. That championship metal originates from their championship head coach Merlin Smith. However, Oakleaf failed to tie the game on 2-point conversions against Baker County. This would prove costly.
Baker started fast against Oakleaf on both sides of the ball in the championship game. Something they did not do in their first matchup this year, in the first game of the season. No doubt this was stressed by Coach Roberts, their legendary head coach. The Bobcats would go on to win that game however, and it was dejavu from their exceptional players who starred all season.
Players such as Gary Mosley, and Brandon Arnold. Linemen Grayson Thrift, and Jackson Girardo who helped secure the line of scrimmage for the big Bobcats. Then there is eighth grade defensive back and wide receiver Abigail Davis . She’s been instrumental on special teams this year, recovering a crucial onside kick in game.
There have been many players contributing to their championship season. A season that saw the team go 8-0, culminating in their fourth title in four years.
