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Wildcats notch Homecoming win Wildcats notch Homecoming winBy MELISSA BURNSED
The Baker County Wildcats improved their record to 6 and 1 with a win over the Ocala Vanguard Knights last night at Memorial Stadium in Macclenny. A large Homecoming crowd was on hand to watch as the Baker Boys overcame multiple penalties to lock up the 22 to 12 non-district victory. Coming off an emotional district loss last week, Coach Bobby Johns offense struggled to move the ball in the games first half. Operating from an I formation set, the Cats performance was lackluster as they failed to reach the end zone until late in the second quarter. The winless Knights were able to penetrate into the Wildcats backfield and put pressure on starting quarterback Darvin Ruise, who was sacked twice in the first half.
Sophomore Kendrick Sampson came in at quarterback and led his team 83 yards for the their only touchdown of the first half. Starting with just 2:09 left on the clock it wasn‘t long before, Baker County star running back Greg Williams capped the quick ten play drive with a six yard plunge across the goal line. Ruise added two more on the PAT conversion to give the Cats a 8 - 0 lead at the half. The Wildcats defense continued their dominating play throughout the evening and held the Knights to under twenty rushing yards during penalty marred game. Cody Wheeler, Hank Farmer, Jarvis Simmons, Ethan Munson, BJ Rowe, Chris Robinson and Trek McCullough forced Ocala Vanguards offense to rely on short shotgun passes in the flats to try and move the ball, with only limited success.
It was the fourth quarter before Baker’s offense capitalized on midfield starting possession. After the Knights failed to convert on fourth down, Greg Williams electrified the crowd on the Cat’s first down play. He grabbed the option pitch and cranked up the speed to outrun all defenders on a 50 yard touchdown run (14-0). It was his second score of the game, on a showcase night for him that was highlighted by more than 200 individual rushing yards. Those numbers could have been much higher were it not for numerous offensive line penalties that negated several long runs. The Cats blitzing defense forced three and out on the Knights ensuing possession, only to see their offense stumble. After a Baker County time out they were flagged for back to back drive killing penalties, followed by an interception. The turnover put Ocala’s offense back in business
The Knights capitalized on the turnover with a short scoring drive that was aided by another suspect penalty call for defensive pass interference, which gave them first and goal. James Ivory punched the ball in for the touchdown. After the PAT conversion was stuffed by the swarming Wildcats, the scoreboard read 14 to 6 with under seven minutes left on the clock. Ocala botched the onsides kickoff and Baker County got the ball near the midfield stripe. Three powerful runs by Williams set the Wildcats up in the red zone. Sampson connected with Harold Moore on a 18 yard pass to the end zone, for the Cats third and final touchdown of the game. Sampson added two on the PAT conversion with a quarterback keeper (22-6). The Baker boys defense went back to work and slammed the door on the Knights next possession forcing a turnover on downs, only to see their efforts wasted when their offense fumbled the ball away a few plays later.
Ocala pounced on the turnover and started their short scoring drive with the ball inside the Wildcats twenty yard line. After game officials penalized Baker with another questionable defensive pass interference call, the ball was set up first and goal. The Knights took just two plays to score. Trailing 22 to 12, Ocala tried to make it a one touchdown game with a two point conversion attempt, but the Baker boys defense was having none of that and crashed through the line to smother the ball carrier. The Wildcats ran the final two minutes off the clock to lock up their six win of the season. Baker County will have to eliminate the costly penalties and step up their offensive output if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive. They will face another tough district foe next Friday night when the Bishop Kenny Crusaders come to town.
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