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Wildcats rout ACD 41-0 Wildcats rout ACD 41-0PHOTOS BY: Jud Johnson www.judjohnsonphoto.com The Baker County Wildcats defensive unit continued to dominate their opponents with a shutout performance against the visiting Arlington Country Day (ACD)School Apaches, Friday evening at Memorial Stadium. Thus far this season the Cats defense has been stingy allowing their opponents only fifteen points.
Baker was equally impressive on the offensive side of the ball, scoring early and often in the game. Head Coach Bobby Johns’ team added their third win of the varsity football season by racking up 41 unanswered points. Led by quarterback Darvin Ruise, the Wildcats put the ball in the end zone five times, including three passing play touchdowns. In an early indication of how the game would go, ACD went four downs and out on the game’s opening possession. Their punt rolled to a stop near the midfield stripe and the Baker Boys offense went to work. Three successive long yardage carries by Reuben Jackson, Harold Moore and Greg Williams had the ball inside the redzone. From there, Jackson followed his lead blockers through a big hole on the left side for a 19 yard touchdown. Special teams kicker Brendan Donovan drilled the first of five extra point kicks through the uprights to put the Cats
The Apaches ensuing possession featured quarterback O’Shea Carter leading their wishbone offense. ACD had some success moving the ball with running backs Demetrick Payne and Brandon Boyd. The pair paid a heavy price for their gains as the Cats defenders pounded them with aggressive tackling. That aggressive coverage eventually shut down the Apache drive and forced a punt. Two plays later the Wildcats were in the end zone for their second touchdown of the first quarter. Ruise connected with Harold Moore, running free in the secondary for the 75 yard catch and run score. The Apaches tried some trick plays to move the ball on their next possession, but the Cat defense wasn’t fooled. They delivered one bone crushing tackle after another with the big hits
Baker took over on downs and ran the ball down the field for their third TD. Williams, Moore and Jackson all took a turn handling the pigskin for the Wildcats, before Jarvis Simmons capped the scoring drive with a 14 yard carry. Another four and out possession for ACD, led to an apparent 66 yard punt return by Baker’s Harold Moore that would have given the Cats the ball with first and goal at the two. Instead a costly blocking in the back penalty moved the ball all the way back close to midfield. The Wildcats offense had a rare turnover on the subsequent play, after a pass completion was fumbled as the receiver tried to run with the ball. The Apaches couldn’t capitalize on the miscue and promptly gave the Cats the ball back two plays later, when their center snapped the ball over the QB’s head and Baker recovered the ball on the ACD 23 yard line. Baker County didn’t waste the good field position as QB Ruise found Greg Williams for the Wildcats fourth touchdown. The teams headed to the locker room at the half with Baker leading
The Wildcats padded their lead as the third quarter got underway. Using the option, the Cats took just five snaps to score. Ruise hooked up with Williams over the middle for their second passing touchdown. Game officials instituted the running clock midway through the third quarter and Baker County began getting all their substitutes into the game. The Apaches were stymied by the Cats defenders again and another four and out punt led to Baker backup QB Kendrick Sampson taking the remainder of the snaps. The Cats started in ACD territory and the offense quickly moved into scoring range. With third and goal from the one yard line, a bobbled snap recovery by the Apaches quashed the drive. Seeking redemption, the Cats were looking for a safety but that wasn’t to be as the aggressive coverage unit was flagged for off-sides and defensive holding.
The Apaches weren’t ready to give up and mounted one last attempt to reach the end zone. With Brandon Boyd moved to quarterback, they went to the shotgun and drove all the way down to the 10 yard line before the Cats defense stepped up and preserved the shutout.
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