BAKER COUNTY VS JACKSON

Cat fight ends with Wildcat loss

By MELISSA BURNSED
Photos By Jud Johnson  
www.judjohnsonphoto.com

POSTED 10/10/2008 - The highly anticipated defensive showdown between District 3-3A rival, the Baker County Wildcats and the Andrew Jackson Tigers, exceeded expectations last night at Memorial Stadium in Macclenny. Both teams came into the game undefeated and ranked in the

Dekimby Hogan loses his helmet on the tackle.

top ten of state football polls, after allowing their opponents less than 28 total combined points in their first five outings.

The game was a physical slugfest with the squads playing aggressive smash mouth football. Tigers Head Coach Kevin Sullivan described the game as a "good old slobber knocker," in a post game interview. Officials got their yellow flags dirty with numerous penalty calls. However there were some very questionable calls and no-calls which were costly to Head Coach Bobby Johns’ Wildcats.

The Baker Boys put up a valiant effort, but were unable to move the ball consistently against the Tigers. They contained the Cats usually potent offense that had been averaging more than 300 rushing yards per game, limiting them to just over 100 yards in the 21 to 8 loss.

BJ Rowe was loving this game early on.

A packed stadium of Wildcat fans watched as their Friday night warriors struggled to get a handle on the ball. Heavy Tigers pressure led to the Wildcats turning the ball over or stalled drives. Those turnovers included numerous fumbles, busted plays and costly interceptions.

After a scoreless first quarter where the two teams traded possessions, the Tigers capitalized on a bad snap that sailed over Punter Harold Moore’s head. Setting up in the red zone, the Tigers drove to first and goal. It looked as though the Cats stiff defense would hold until Jackson quarterback Corey Addison ran for a touchdown on fourth and one. The PAT kick gave the Tigers an eight point lead just four seconds into the second quarter.

The teams traded four and outs until Baker gained some momentum midway through the quarter. After twin personal foul penalties against Jackson moved the ball out to midfield, Darvin Ruise and Greg Williams broke containment for big gains. The Cats were unable to sustain the drive when penalty calls reversed their downfield momentum.

A few plays later Ethan Munson gave the Wildcats offense another shot at scoring, when he recovered a fumbled Tigers handoff. The Cats wasted the opportunity and returned the ball three plays later with a pass interception as the first half ended.

#1 working hard for the yardage.

The Cats defense shut down the Tigers as the third quarter began, but their offense went four and out. Jackson took over and they scored on a catch and run. Baker’s defense had a chance to stop the play and save the touchdown when the pass slipped right through the fingers of their cornerback before the Tiger’s receiver caught the ball for the score.

With the Tigers leading 14 to 0, the Wildcats rallied and put together a solid drive, only to falter after reaching first and goal.

Both teams continued to play fierce defense, but the Cats missed a second golden opportunity when another Tigers pass sailed through their defender’s hands.

Following a Baker fumble, Jackson added to their lead and scored a final touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

The Baker boys were playing for pride and took advantage of a Tiger turnover to get on the scoreboard. Greg Williams intercepted the ball and ran it back to the 11 yard line.

Rueben Jackson with the only Wildcat touchdown of the game.

Darvin Ruise and company went to work and Cats sophomore running back Rueben Jackson punched the ball into the end zone. Kendrick Sampson connected with Chris Robinson on the extra point conversion(21-8).

The teams traded possessions until Jackson assumed the victory formation and took a knee to end the game and claim the top spot in the district.

The Wildcats hopes of making the playoffs are still alive. They took the district championship last year despite a lone season loss to the Tigers. Their final two district games against Bishop Kenny and Suwannee are must wins, if the Baker Boys are to make it to post season play.

Baker County will host Ocala Vanguard for Homecoming next week. Jackson will host Ed White.

#40 celebrates a great play.

Greg Williams takes a licking, but keeps on ticking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ref shows how short Jackson was on this play.

 

 

 

Greg Williams tries to get the ‘Cats moving down the field.