BAKER — It will be another playoff rematch for Baker School’s football team Friday night, when the Gators host Vernon in the Region 1-1A final.

Last year, the Yellow Jackets beat Baker 30-14 on their home field. The Gators will try to return the favor Friday night.

Vernon (9-2) has a new coach this year with Willie Spears, having replaced Bobby Johns, but that hasn’t slowed down the Yellow Jackets, who repeated as District 2-1A champion.

Vernon advanced to the region final last week with an 8-7 win over Northview.

The Yellow Jackets' offense will present a different challenge for Baker's defense.

“Willie Spears does a good job of running the triple option,” Baker Coach Matt Brunson said.  “They are going to run the middle line and inside and outside veer. It will definitely be a different presentation because Northview and Graceville were both spread teams.

“Vernon is going to get in two tight ends and run right at us. But our guys are in very familiar territory facing Vernon. We were at (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) camp with them and I think on our home field, if we play like we did Friday, with a great week of preparation we should be fine.”

The Gators seem to have the advantage on offense as Vernon is only averaging 25.5 points a game compared to the 36.6 points per game the Gators are scoring.

The edge on defense seems to go to the Yellow Jackets, who have only allowed 163 points this year, which comes out to 14.8 points a game. Baker has allowed 288 points on the season, which averages to 26.2 points per game.

But the Gators are coming off their best defensive performance of the season, having opened the playoffs with a 26-0 win over Graceville.

“Our defensive guys prepared hard, and I think we have gotten better all year,” Brunson said. “I think our performance Friday was the best all year. If those guys can play with their hair on fire, then I think great things are ahead for our defense.”

If the Gators win Friday, they will have gone the farthest in the playoffs any Baker team has gone since 1999, when they lost in the state semifinals.

The winner of Friday’s game between the Gators and Yellow Jackets will host the winner of the Port St. Joe-Blountstown game. Port St. Joe is the defending state champion.

WHAT: High school football Region 1-1A final — Vernon vs. Baker

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Baker School, Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium

COST: $8

UPCOMING

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker seeks to even score with Vernon

BAKER – It was the same song with a different verse as Baker hosted Graceville for the second straight year in the Region 1-1A football semifinals.

And for the second straight year the home crowd left Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium smiling.

The family of legendary Baker sprinter Houston McTear, who passed away Oct. 31, was recognized in a pregame ceremony. The Gators then made Houston proud with a 26-0 win.

“It’s awesome,” Baker Coach Matt Brunson said. “Our kids have been fighting and preparing all year. To have defensive performance like we did tonight against a team as athletic as Graceville, I thought that was awesome.

“Our kids have worked hard and gotten better all year. I think we are peaking at the right time.”

Jon Beck threw touchdown passes of 22 and 54 yards and Montae Barto scored twice, the first on the 22-yard pass from Beck and then late in the third quarter from five yards out to help seal the win.

Barto’s touchdown catch came on a swing pass to the left flat with a second left in the first quarter to put the Gators up 6-0. Josh Springle added the extra point and Baker was in business.

Beck’s second touchdown pass, the 54-yarder, was a fly route to Kalee Ciurleo, who was streaking down the west sideline. Ciurleo made a spectacular juggling catch to secure the ball and outran the Tiger defenders to the end zone with 9:33 left in the half.

Baker added a safety sacking Tiger quarterback Preston Nichols in the end zone with just under four minutes left in the half.

Springle closed out the scoring in the first half with a 40-yard field goal to put Baker up 19-0 at the intermission.

Graceville (7-4) took the opening kick of the second half and drove into Baker territory before being forced to punt. The drive took more than six minutes off the clock and seemed to seal the fate of the Tigers.

Baker got the ball on its own 6-yard line and marched 94 yard on 10 plays to put the game out of reach. Barto finished the drive but Jalen Ciurleo was a workhorse in moving the ball for the Gators gaining 31 yards on the drive.

Graceville had one final chance to score as time was running out, but Nichols fumbled inside the Gator 5-yard line and Logan Cadenhead jumped on the ball to secure the Baker shutout.

The Gators finished the night with 361 yards in total offense. Baker had 180 yards rushing and 181 yards passing. Graceville had 207 yards in total offense.

Baker (8-3) will host Vernon on Friday in the Region 1-1A finals.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker shuts out Graceville (PHOTOS)

BAKER — A hopeful march to a state football championship starts Friday, when Baker hosts Graceville in the Region 1-1A semifinals at Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium.

The game is a rematch of last year’s playoff opener, which the Gators won 21-7.

“Last year, we played them in the first game of the regular season, and in then in the first round of the playoffs,” Gator Coach Matt Brunson said. “So we are familiar with some of their personnel. Grant Thomas, the offensive coordinator from Niceville, took over the Graceville job last year.

“They are 7-3, just like we are. They  are the runner up in District 2 to Vernon. They have to come to our place Friday night, and we are glad we are getting them at home.”

Graceville operates out of a spread offense with senior quarterback Preston Nichols as the triggerman. Nichols’ top target is sophomore receiver Camerot McClain.

The Tigers will line up in a base 4-3 defense.

“They’ve got some guys on the defensive side that are college prospects,” Brunson said. “We are going to  have our hands full against a very athletic Graceville team.

"I think our guys are playing well, even though we hit a bump in the road last week (losing to Liberty County). We are looking forward to it; having home-field advantage in the playoffs is going to be big.”

Brunson said his biggest concern is Graceville’s team speed.

“Last week we saw a lot of speed at Liberty County, and we didn’t handle it real well,” he said. “If you let them (the Tigers) get on the perimeter, they can go. We are going to have to contain them and get some guys to tackle them.”

Brunson hopes Friday’s game will be just the first step of a playoff push.

“We are trying to get hot at the right time and make a little run,” he said. “We want to represent North Okaloosa County well.

“We want to invite everybody to come out for a great high school football game.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker hosts Graceville in playoff opener

It was a tough night for Baker School's football team Friday as the Gators fell to Liberty County 55-39 in a battle of Class 1A district champions.

Montae Barto led the Gator attack with 101 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Jalen Ciurleo added 87 yards on the ground and a touchdown.

Gator quarteback Jon Beck had 55 yards rushing and 106 yards through the air.

Baker (7-3) hosts Graceville on Friday in the opening round of the playoffs.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker falls to Liberty County

GULF BREEZE  — Crestview had less than 250 yards in total offense Friday night at Dolphin Stadium against a gritty Gulf Breeze team.

But the Bulldogs came up with big plays on defense and special teams when they were needed. In the end the offense did just enough.

Rusty Moorer hit Keenan Redd with a 6-yard scoring pass in overtime to give the Bulldogs a 27-24 win.

“You always want to end the season on a positive note,” Bulldog Coach Tim Hatten said. “We lost so many close games that we should have won.

“We needed to win a game that was close and finish the game at the end. I’m happy about the way we competed and I’m glad to finish 5-5.”

Crestview intercepted three Gulf Breeze passes and turned a blocked punt into a touchdown as the Bulldogs often had the Dolphin offense on its heels.

Gulf Breeze was driving on its first possession when Capri Jones intercepted a Tristan Covell pass in the end zone to turn back the only scoring threat of the period for either team.

Crestview struck first in the second quarter when Lajonte Watson recovered a blocked Dolphin punt in the end zone. Sam Johnson got the block for Crestview.

The Dolphins came back and scored two twice in the quarter on touchdown passes from Ricky Alexander to Cole Shepherd. The first pass covered 12 yards and the second four yards as Gulf Breeze took the lead.

Crestview tied the game in the third quarter with Corey Armstrong scoring the first of his two touchdowns from a yard out with 3:59 left in the quarter. The score was set up by Malcolm Galbreath’s second interception of the game.

The interception gave the Bulldogs a first down at the Dolphin 12-yard line. An 11-yard run by Antryon Gloster set up the 1-yard score by Armstrong. Seth Kootsouradis added the extra point as the Bulldogs tied things up.

Gulf Breeze (2-8) regained the lead early in the fourth quarter on a 57-yard run by Tyler Dittmer.

The Bulldogs took the ensuing kick and drove 69 yards to on five plays to tie the game. The big play of the drive was a 39-yard pass from Moorer to Alik Whited.

Armstrong finished the drive with a 2-yard run.

Crestview won the toss in overtime and went on defense and forced a field goal.

The Bulldogs had a third and goal from the six when Moorer connected with Redd for the game winner.

Gloster led the Bulldog attack with 104 yards rushing on 15 carries. Crestview finished the night with 123 yards on the ground.

Moorer was 12-of-23 passing for 121 yards.

Tight end Matt French had one catch for 53 yards. Whited had to grabs for 47 yards.

Crestview finished the night with 244 yards in total offense. Gulf Breeze had 311 yards in offense.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview ends season with win over Dolphins (PHOTOS)

NICEVILLE — David Jackson — nicknamed "Djack" in the Niceville locker room — looked like he hadn't played a single snap.

After the shaking of hands with the Crestview players Friday, Jackson was the first one to race toward the post-game team huddle where coach John Hicks stationed with a single fist-pump after a 38-3 rivalry win.

Jackson was a little more animated.

The senior left tackle was jumping 3 feet in the air for shoulder bumps, chest bumps and every other celebration with his teammates.

He looked fresh despite playing a full 48 minutes — but that's what winning the District 3-6A championship feels like.

"I feel we put in work from day one," he said. "I was excited. I was happy. We didn't want to lose to (Crestview) again."

Jackson refers to the 17-12 loss at Eagle Stadium — where Niceville (8-1, 3-0) has won 17 straight — and he and his offensive line comrades were a big reason the Eagles defended their home grass.

Niceville running back Deonte Sheffield had 180 yards from 19 carries and the Eagles totaled more than 220 rushing yards against a Crestview defensive line that includes a Division I college prospect, senior Marcus Flavors.

"They've got some good players," Jackson said. "From the first play, we had to give them body shots."

For the Bulldogs (4-5, 1-2), this signals the end of any postseason hopes with Choctaw beating Fort Walton Beach and clinching the district's No. 2 playoff berth.

Niceville started a running clock when quarterback Tyler Russell pushed into the end zone from a yard away. That ended the third quarter with the 38-3 tally. Before that, it was a lot of Niceville running the ball and Russell lobbing pretty passes into the end zone.

 Sheffield opened the scoring midway through the first quarter, and Russell's first pass went 32 yards to a falling-down Romeo Finley in the end zone.

By contrast, Crestview quarterback Rusty Moorer fell down in disappointment after his best chance for a touchdown bounced off his wide receiver's hands in the second quarter. Crestview settled for Seth Koostouradis' 27-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 14-3. That score became 21-3 before halftime when Russell hit Jake Bari for a 21-yard lob to the corner of the end zone.

Moorer tallied 153 passing yards and the Bulldogs rushed for 154 yards, 62 from Moorer.

Russell, who had 176 passing yards, gave kudos to his offensive line — which, along with Jackson, includes Andrew Gudson, Donnie Brechtel, Jacob Nihill, Matthew Marks and Kini Makaneole.

"The offensive line just had a great push the whole game," Russell said.

Sheffield scored from 21 yards away to start the second half's scoring, and put the district title in the Eagles' hands yet again.

He agreed, too — "Djack" and the rest of the offensive line deserved to catch a second wind after the game. District titles are special, and they helped make it happen.

"I'm really impressed with them," Sheffield said. "This summer, we started slow. We didn't think we would have a good running game, but they came on strong.

"We can run the ball whenever we want."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview falls to Niceville

BRATT — Two years ago a hungry Baker School football team took the field at Northview High School in search of its first district championship in a dozen years.

The Gators accomplished the mission that night beating the then defending state champion Chiefs.

Baker returned to Northview on Friday seeking a third straight district title. The sophomores on the 2013 team are now seniors and intent on carrying out that proud Gator tradition.

There would be no upset Friday as Baker continued the championship run with a 35-21 win over the Chiefs to claim the District 1-1A title.

“Two years over here was an awesome night,” Baker coach Matt Brunson said. “These guys have battled hard and gotten better all year. We take pride in district championships and I’m proud of this group carrying it in to three in a row.

“When we needed to run the ball and get first downs and score touchdowns our offensive line did an awesome job. District championships are awesome, but we need to make a little run in the playoffs.”

Run the ball is just what the Gators did picking up 299 yards on the ground on 48 carries.

Montae Barto led the Baker (7-2, 2-0) charge scoring three touchdowns on runs of four, 11 and 19 yards.

On the final score Barto lowered his shoulder and used his 220 pound frame to run through and over would-be tacklers.

And while Barto found the end zone three times on 12 carries for 63 yards it was Jalen Ciurleo who led the Gators in rushing, He finished the night with 158 yards on 15 carries.

The Chiefs (2-7, 1-1) struck first scoring on a 2-yard run by Toney Harrison with 4:43 left in the first quarter.

Baker’s first score of the night came on a 5-yard run by Austin Davis with 11:03 left in the half. Davis’ score came after the Chiefs failed to convert on a fourth down at their own 23-yard line. Josh Springle added the extra point and the Gators led the rest of the way.

Barto scored the next three Gator touchdowns. The first two came in the second quarter and the third came on the opening drive of the third quarter to put Baker up 28-8.

A 74-yard run by Jalen Ciurleo set up Barto’s first touchdown run. A 47-yard pass from Jon Beck to Kalee Ciurleo was the big play that led to Barto’s second score.

The Chiefs answered Barto’s third quarter with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Gavin Grant to Jacob Dunsford that made the score 28-15 with 4:40 left in the third quarter.

Less than a minute later Jalen Ciurleo scored from 53 yards out to put the Gators back up by 20.

Luke Ward scored for Northview midway through the fourth quarter, but there wasn’t enough come back left in the Chiefs.

As the song “Final Countdown” echoed through the stadium the Gators were counting down to a three-peat and looking forward to hosting the opening round of the playoffs on Nov. 13.

“It feels great to get three district championships back-to-back,” Beck said. “It’s something special you won’t forget.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker downs Northview for third straight district title (PHOTOS)

BAKER — Baker School's football team travels to Northview on Friday in a game that will determine the District 1-1A champions.

Defeating the Chiefs would give the Gators their third straight district championship. It also would assure them of hosting at least the playoffs' first two rounds if they continue to win.

Two years ago, Baker clinched its first district title since 2001 at Northview.

The Chiefs have struggled this year, entering the game with a 2-6 record. But one of those wins was a 7-0 victory over Jay, setting up the district showdown.

Northview last week lost to Walton, 49-7. The Chiefs have scored 99 points while allowing 261.

Baker (6-2, 1-0), coming off an open date, is riding a four-game winning streak. The Gators have scored 303 points while giving up 212.

Still, Coach Matt Brunson takes nothing for granted.

“Northview is probably the most athletic two-win team there is,” he said. “Their two wins (are) predicated on how tough their schedule (is) and how tough the teams they’ve played are. They opened the season at Crestview and battled for a half in that game.

“They’ve played some larger schools. Coach (Sid) Wheatley and his staff do a good job.”

The Chiefs have the same incentive as the Gators, Brunson said. “They understand that winning the district means home field advantage in the playoffs, and that’s their goal,” he said. “We are both 1-0 in the district, and that’s the only win-loss column that matters.

“We are looking for a hard-fought game. They are tough at home. We have to go to their place, and it should be a great game.”

Brunson expects the Chiefs to throw the ball a lot and try to beat the Gators with the pass. If Baker’s defense can force Northview into third down and long-yardage situations for a first down, the Gators get the advantage.

“I think the game will be determined by how well we stop them on first and second down so we can get them in third and long, and bring pressure (on the quarterback),” Brunson said. “We should be fine then. If they get hot throwing and catching the football, anything can happen.”

Brunson believes Baker’s recent success against Northview will give the Gators a boost Friday night. “Some of these guys have played over there as varsity players and won,” he said. “That’s our goal Friday night.

“Our guys will be confident going over there. I’ve said this several times, but our team hasn’t reached its full potential yet. I think we are peaking at the right time.”

WHAT: High school football — Baker at Northview

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Northview High School, Bratt

DIRECTIONS: At traffic light in Baker turn left onto Highway 4 west. Stay on Highway 4 until it dead ends into U.S. Highway 29, approximately 40 miles. Take a left onto U.S. 29 South. Stay on 29 about a mile or mile and a half. Make sure you are in the right lane. You will see a sign that tells you to turn right to go to Northview High School. You will turn back onto Highway 4 and go another nine or 10 miles. The school will be on the right. The stadium is in the back of the school.

UPCOMING

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Stopping Northview on first and second down crucial for Baker

CHIPLEY — Montae Barto scored a pair of touchdowns as Baker rolled to a 45-27 win over Chipley on Friday.

It was a team effort for the Gators as they improved to 6-2 on the year.

Barto was the only Baker player to score more than one touchdown. Dillon Nixon scored, Austin Davis scored, Jalen Ciurleo scored a touchdown as did his twin brother, Kalee Ciurleo. Josh Springle kicked a field goal and six extra points.

The Gators rolled up 392 yards in total offense and 21 first downs. Jalen Ciurleo led the Baker rushing attack with 85 yards on 11 carries. Jone Beck ran for 57 yards and threw for another 101.

Davis gained 55 yards on 12 rushes. Chris Roller had 18 yards rushing on three carries. And Kalee Ciurleo had 25 yards on three carries.

Nixon had 117 return yards for Baker.

The Gators have an open date Friday. They return to action Oct. 30 at Northview in a game that will decide the District 1-1A championship.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker takes care of Chipley

CRESTVIEW — There was no drama Friday night as Crestview High School hosted Fort Walton Beach in a District 3-6A football game.

Technically, at 0-2 in district play, the loser would still have a chance to make the playoffs. The winner would be in much better shape heading into the final district games in two weeks.

Playing perhaps their best game of the season, it was the Bulldogs making a statement with a 48-7 win.

“When you play turnover free ball you have a chance, and we played turnover free ball,” Crestview Coach Tim Hatten said. “We limited our penalties. We made pretty good decisions at our quarterback position.

“Andrew Adkins and Marquis McClain are players that make plays and we got the ball to them. I thought Antryon Gloster ran the ball really, really hard tonight. Corey (Armstrong) gives a new dimension inside at running back.”

About the only thing that went wrong for Crestview was a missed field goal and a wide right extra point.

Crestview’s defense set the tone early when Andrew Adkins picked off a Brady Ooten pass. The Bulldogs failed to capitalize on the turnover, but the next time the Vikings (1-6, 0-2) wouldn’t be so lucky.

Armstrong, the Bulldog middle linebacker, plucked a Viking fumble out of the air and raced 25-yards for the first points of the game with 5:42 left in the opening period. Cody Traywick added the extra point and the route was on.

Any hope the Vikings fans had after only trailing 7-0 at the end of the first quarter were quickly crushed. Bulldog quarterback Rusty Moorer, who was playing in just his second game after returning from a broken hand suffered in the season opener was just getting heated up.

Moorer dissected the Viking defense with surgical precession hitting 15-of-21 passes for 248 yards in the first half.

Moorer hit Adkins with touchdown passes of 23 and 20 yards in the second quarter. Moorer also hit McClain with a 34-yard strike with 18 seconds left in the half.

Crestview (4-4, 1-1) also had a touchdown on the ground as Armstrong pounded into the end zone on an 11-yard run as the Bulldogs were up 34-0 at the half.

Crestview’s Malik Studevan returned the opening kick of the second half to the Viking 48-yard line. The Bulldogs only needed five plays to cover the distance. Moorer scored the touchdown on a 1-yard run.

The rest of the game was played with a running clock. Gloster closed out the Bulldog scoring with a 3-yard run with 7:09 left in the game. Gloster was the workhorse on the drive covering the 68 yards on six carries.

The lone Viking score came as time expired with Chase Geissel hit Alex Cum with a 13-yard touchdown pass against the Bulldog reserves.

Moorer finished the night with 272 yards passing and three touchdown passes to go along with his rushing touchdown.

Adkins had six catches for 106 yards. Matt French had five receptions for 59 yards and McClain had three receptions for 59 yards.

Gloster led Crestview in rushing with 82 yards on eight carries.

“We are starting figure out who we are,” Hatten said. “I think we were a little more talented than this group (the Vikings). We were able to put it in cruise control and that’s what good teams have got to do”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Moorer leads Crestview past Fort Walton Beach (PHOTOS)