Vikings no match for Wildcats
Vikings no match for Wildcats
Story by MELISSA BURNSED
Photos by JUD JOHNSON
The Baker County Wildcats took a big step on the road to defending their District 3-3A title, with a decisive 26 to 6 win over the Raines Vikings at the Graveyard in Jacksonville. The Baker Boys put together a total team effort on both sides of the ball to earn the victory.
Wildcat Head Coach Bobby Johns utilized a well balanced plan that featured quarterback Darvin Ruise operating the option offense. It kept the Raines defenders guessing all night.
Ruise and running back Ruben Jackson combined to use the fake handoff to rack up big yardage carries against the befuddled Vikings, who couldn’t tell which one was going to pop out with the ball.
Baker County racked up 256 rushing yards, which included two QB keeper touchdowns by Ruise. Jackson led the cadre of Wildcat ball carriers with a touchdown.
His team mates Harold Moore, Greg Williams and Hank Farmer continued to build the Cats reputation for big power runs, as they pounded the ball over, around and through the highly regarded Vikings defensive front.
Baker got on the board early in the game, when they took their second possession seventy plus yards into the end zone. With extra point kicker Brendan Donovan missing from the lineup, the Wildcats opted to go for two point plays on their extra point attempts. Their first failed.
Raines tried to keep pace with the Cats and took advantage of blown special teams coverage to return the ensuing kickoff all the way back to the one yard line.
With their Division I prospect Quarterback Cedrick McCloud leading the way, the Vikings matched the Wildcats score less than one minute later (6-6).
That was to be Raines only score of the game, as the Cats controlled, the ball, the clock and the Vikings’ offense. Wildcat defensive coordinator Jami Rodgers had to be pleased as his speedy squad dominated the big frontline of the Vikings. They pressured and sacked the opposition quarterback continuously throughout the game.
Time after time Raines QB McCoud would drop back to pass, only to see multiple Cat defenders roaring into the backfield. Cody Wheeler, Ethan Munson, Trek McCullough, BJ Rowe and Dekembey Hogan were just a few of the Baker Boys who got up close and personal with McCloud and his running backs.
The defense held the Vikings to just three positive yards of offense in the first half and by the end of the game the final rushing numbers were in the negative.
Baker had a solid 20 to 6 lead by halftime and coasted to the final 26 to 6, to add a fourth win to their unbeaten record.
The Wildcats will travel to Orange Park for their next game against the Ridgeview Panthers.
Baker County VS Raines
www.judjohnsonphoto.com
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| #1 stiff-arms the Raines player while getting a big run. |
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| Greg Williams sees the block and heads for open field. |
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| #1 is missed by one tackle and tries to avoid another. |
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| The center for the Wildcats gives an intimidating look to the other side. |
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| Looking for running room. |
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| Rueben Jackson with the touchdown. |
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