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Wildcats over Bradford, 35-14

The Baker County Wildcats notched their second victory of the varsity football season with a 34 to 15 win over the Bradford County Tornadoes at Memorial Stadium in downtown Macclenny. Wildcat Head Coach Bobby John’s team dominated the Tornadoes during the first half of the Friday night showdown between the long standing cross county rivals.

Baker County's Greg Williams with the run for the touchdown.

Tornado Head Coach Steve Hoard opted to defer receiving the ball, after winning the toss, gambling that his defensive squad could contain the Baker Boys. The Wildcats weren’t able to cash in on Hoard’s gamble. They took the opening kickoff and started the possession with a strong power run by Greg Williams, before busted plays and bobbled balls led to an early punt.

Bradford senior quarterback Trey Winkler never got a chance as the Cats defense swarmed across the scrimmage line on his teams first drive. Led by the bruising tackles of Hank Farmer, the Wildcats forced three and out, leading to the games first score on a special teams miscue.

A Wildcat touchdown

Backed up to their own 17 yard line, the Tornadoes snapped the ball over their punters head into the end zone. Baker County was able to pounce on the ball for a touchdown, after BJ Rowe made a pancake out of the punter who was trying to pickup the ball. Brendan Donovan nailed the extra point kick to give the Cats a seven zip lead.

Coach Jami Rodgers watched his defensive squad including Cody Wheeler, Jarvis Simmons and Ethan Munson crush the Tornadoes on their ensuing possession.

Baker’s offensive stepped up and took command with a sustained touchdown drive. Darvin Ruise showed no lingering effects from an earlier injury as he racked up big yardage gains on quarterback keepers. Ruben Jackson and Harold Moore ran over, around and through the Tornadoes as they plowed down the field. Jackson capped the drive with a short burst into the end zone. After an errant snap cost them the extra point, Baker was ahead 13 to 0 late in the first

#15 gets a good kick return.

quarter.

Bradford’s young offensive team continued to struggle under the heavy defensive pressure and gave the ball back to the Wildcats after another three and out possession. The Tornadoes punt was apparently blocked and recovered for a Wildcats touchdown, but an inexplicable penalty call by game officials led to massive confusion and a second "DO OVER" punt, accompanied by prolonged booing from fans.

Baker and Bradford traded possessions on punts and fumbles until late in the first half, when Kendrick Sampson came in at quarterback for the Wildcats. Operating from the shotgun, Sampson connected with Harold Moore for a 35 yard gain on a nifty catch and run. It looked like the drive would stall until Greg Williams broke free for a 29 yard touchdown run on fourth

Bradford’s running back fights for some running room.

Photos by www.judjohnsonphoto.com

and two. Ruise came back in and added two more on the QB keeper, to give the Cats a three score lead (21 to 0) at the half.

Bradford got the ball first, after deferring to start the game. Baker defenders Hank Farmer and Greg Williams squashed any thoughts of a Tornado drive and the Cats had the ball after another three and out.

Baker dominated with good lead blocking from wide receivers Chris Robinson and Brendan Donovan, as Ruise, Williams and Jackson charged right over the Tornadoes defense on a 83 yard scoring drive. Ruise finished the drive into the end zone with a 13 yard run. Despite another wayward extra point snap, Baker had a 27 point lead.

Coasting on that big lead, the Wildcats offense was lackadaisical for most of the remainder of the game. Another three and out possession by Bradford gave the Baker Boys the ball back, but they didn’t keep it long. The Tornadoes intercepted a Cats pass and capitalized on the turnover and subsequent personal foul penalty. A passing touchdown from Winkler and PAT kick put the Tornadoes on the board 7 to 27.

The Wildcats came up short on their final drive of the third quarter, despite a long rumbling run down the sidelines by Harold Moore. The offensive line was sluggish and allowed Bradford two quarterback sacks in a row.

Back and forth possessions followed until Bradford handed the ball over on downs in the red zone. Ruben Jackson battled his way into the end zone and scored his second touchdown of the game. Donovan booted the ball through the uprights and the Cats had a commanding 34 to 7 lead as the game clock wound down.

It looked like the game would end with that score after the Wildcats defense shut down the Tornadoes ensuing possession. However with just a minute and a half left on the clock, Baker coaches decided against taking a knee and their offensive unit full of substitutes fumbled the ball away. Bradford didn’t waste the opportunity, pulling the old flea flicker pass out of their play book for a 73 yard touchdown.

With the successful two point conversion, the score was 34 to 15.

A hush fell over the previously jubilant Wildcat fans and radio broadcasters could be heard criticizing Coach Johns' decision making.

Baker did take a knee as the clock ran out, but the lackluster second half performance left unanswered questions about the team. The Cats will have one more opponent at home next week, when the Arlington Country Day School Apaches come to town. Then they will face their first big test on the road, against district foes the Raines Vikings.

Bradford County has a bye week.