The Clay High Blue Devils (7-4, 4-1District 4-3A) season came to an abrupt end this evening following a lopsided loss, 44-14, to the Baker County Wildcats (10-1, 4-1 District 3-3A). The Devils were not able to compete against the Wildcats due to the Wildcats relentless running game. Clay High could not run with the Baker County Wildcats and running was the plan for the evening for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats got off to a quick start when Senior QB Carlos Holton took the first carry for a fifty yard gain. The Wildcats were in Devils territory at the thirty two yard line. Following a mixture of running backs and little gain, Junior RB Greg Williams broke free for a twelve yard scamper. Holton then added seven more yards on the ground. Junior RB Hank Farmer would complete the drive by running in from one yard out. Following the touchdown, the Wildcats elected to go for a two point conversion. Holton ran in the conversion and it was quickly 8-0.
The Devils were only able to gain six yards on their second offensive possession. There was an opportunity that presented itself to senior QB Steve Hearons. He found Senior Kris Mena wide open up the sideline in Wildcat territory, but over threw the receiver. This would be a trend that would haunt the Devils for the remainder of the evening.
The second quarter would start with the Wildcats taking control of the ball at their own thirty five yard line. On third down and four, Holton would find a small crease in the defensive line and scamper untouched for fifty one yards and score his first touchdown of the game. The Wildcats elected to go for the second two point conversion and converted. Farmer was able to run in the conversion. The score was now 16-0. It took the Wildcats a total of six minutes to score the sixteen points.
Blue Devils QB Hearons tried to get the offense going through the air. Unfortunately he chose to try and squeeze the ball into double coverage. The final result, an interception for Wildcats Senior LB Roosevelt Williams. The Wildcats would set up at the Devils forty yard line. Holton would begin to spread the ball around. Following two runs, one for three yards and one for eleven yards by Senior RB Lee Battles, Holton would complete a pass for twenty three yards to Junior WR Ike Parker. Senior RB Lee Battles would run through tackles for a sixteen yard touchdown run. Once again the Wildcats would attempt a two point conversion. The Devils would finally stop the Wildcats offense when it counted. Half time score 22-0.
The second half would start with fire works for the Devils. The Wildcats would receive the second half kickoff, and fumble it away. The Devils would set up their offense inside the Wildcats thirty three yard line. The offense would get to work behind a determined running attack. Battle would run hard and would push his way through the Wildcats defensive line. Battle would keep his feet moving and never be stopped for a loss. Senior Aaron Espinoza would finish off the drive with a three yard run. The PAT was successful and the score was now 22-7.
Following a strong defensive stand by the Devils, their offense would again get the ball and try to capitalize on the momentum they were beginning to gain. The offense would return to what they finished with on their last drive, establishing a running attack. Battle would line up in the back field at the thirty yard line. On fourth and four, Battle would break through the defensive line and run through three would be tacklers and wind up in the end zone. Battle was the lone bright spot for the Devils offense. He would finish the evening with 152 yards on 9 carries and 1 td. The PAT again was successful. The score was now 22-14.
The Wildcats would end the third quarter by letting Holton control the ball. Holton again would find running room and break free for a twenty yard gain. Following another big run by Wheeler of twenty yards, he would score from five yards out. The two point conversion was converted by Bryson Johnson. Score 30-14. With only fifty seconds left in the third quarter, Holton, again, would break free for a big gain. The eighty two yard run would end with Holton’s second touchdown of the evening. Holton would finish the game with 240 yards rushing on 11 carries and 2 td’s. Wheeler would convert another two point try. The score was now getting out of reach, 38-14. The momentum that the Devils had begun to gain was quickly returning to the Wildcats.
The Wildcats had the game well in hand at the mid way point of the fourth quarter. The Devils had a few opportunities in the air. Unfortunately, there were either dropped or overthrown passes when a receiver would get open. The Wildcats were content to run out the clock by just handing the ball off. The bad news for the Devils, they could not stop them. With only forty eight seconds left in the ball game Sophomore RB Harold Moore added another touchdown from one yard out. The final score 44-14.
For the Blue Devils they faced a team that dominated from start to finish. The Wildcats were determined to run the ball, and they were successful. For the Wildcats, they will host another playoff game at home versus St. Augustine.
BCW- 8 14 16 6
CBD- 0 0 14 0
BCW Farmer 1 yard td run; 2 point PAT Holton
BCW Holton 51 yard td run; 2 point PAT Farmer
BCW Battles 16 yard td run; PAT failed
CBD Espinoza 3 yard td run; PAT Rizzo
CBD Battle 30 yard td run; PAT Rizzo
BCW Wheeler 3 yard td run; 2 point PAT Parker
BCW Holton 82 yard td run; 2 point PAT Wheeler