“Big-Boy Football”
On Friday night, Veteran’s Day, the Jay Royals will be traveling down highway 4 for the second time this season. The two schools have made the 33 mile trip through the Blackwater Forrest over the last 40 years many, many times. However, this will be the first time the two schools have met in the playoffs in football. Ever.
Baker was expected to be here. They have won 20 regular season games in a row. The Gators played in the 1A FHSAA State Championship last year (lost to Pahokee, 34-21). They are currently #2 in the state rankings. With 21 seniors on the roster, the Gators have rarely been challenged this year. One of those challenges coincidently, was the last time the Royals met the Gators. Baker has found themselves trailing in the second half only twice in the last 11 games. In last year’s state championship game with Pahokee and on September 29, 2017 when Jay made the trip to Baker. The Royals took the lead over Baker in the 3rd quarter, 21-20 that night.
It was a game that many in attendance said, including coaches on both sides, reminded them of old-school Jay-Baker games. Hard hitting and great plays added to a great atmosphere that night as the Royals tried their best to ruin Baker’s homecoming. The Gators outscored the Royals 29-7 after the Royals took that second half lead.
While Baker has won 10 in a row to have their second undefeated regular season, the Royals seem to have just as much momentum on their side, if not a little more. Winners of 5 straight, the Royals have virtually came out of nowhere to stake their claim in the FHSAA playoffs and are playing tough, hard-noised football. In those last five games, the Royals have won by an average score of 45-13. With wins including rival Northview, playoff bound J. U. Blacksher from Alabama, and a very talented Freeport team, Jay finds itself in the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Led by James Eddings, one of, if not the best back in Northwest, FL,, the Royals offense seems to have caught fire the last half of the season. Eddings has rushed for 1,681 yards on 248 carries scoring 23 touchdowns. But make no mistake, the Royals have been plenty balanced this season offensively, with quarterback Connor Moye throwing for over 900 yards and 15 touchdown passes.
Friday night history will be made as the “War on Highway 4: Playoff Edition” will take place.
The Gators, expected to be here. The Royals, fought and clawed their way to be here.
Should be a good one and maybe, one that both Baker and Jay residents will be talking about for years to come as an instant classic.
Friday Night, November 10
Jay @ Baker Region 1A Semi-finals
Game time-7:30pm
