They haven’t lost a game since 2020, and they won their 5th consecutive NEFAC middle school football championship in 2024. Baker County Middle School defeated Oakleaf Junior High 42-6. The Bobcats found themselves in a rematch with Oakleaf Junior High, a team they faced last year in the championship.
Led by quarterback #0 Keldon Dupree, and Detron Ruise #5 RB on offense, the Bobcats ran through the Yellow Jackets for a dominating win. On defense, defensive end Knox Underwood, line backer Roberto Barragan, Terrance Parker (DL), linebacker Peyton Jones, and CB Zane Corder locked down the Oakleaf offense.
Jones, and Corder were key components on offense as well, along with the big guys up front Jax Sharman, Hunter Jagodnik, and tight end Jacory Smith. These players contributed mightily all year and are big reasons for the success of the team. Dupree had a special year at quarterback. The first time the team has had a 6′ foot signal caller at the position. He is going to be a special player.
Also, linebackers Barragan and Jones were studs at backer and coaches believe they crucial to the success of the defense. Quite possibly the best unit on the team was defensive tackles Jacory Smith and Terrance Parker were monsters on the D-line.
Said assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Tucker Roberts, “If this team stays together all through High School, this group can go far”. Roberts continued, “this was the fastest team we have ever had, this group was head hunters, and they loved the game of football”.
What made this team elite is if you focused on one player ,the other guys were going to beat you. That trickled down from the 8th graders to the 7th graders. For the 7th graders, the Bobcats have about 5-9 players that started, and will be returning, so watch out for Baker County to go for 6 straight next year, unprecedented dominance by Head Coach Roberts, his staff and the entire team.
Featured Images courtesy of Baker County Facebook
