Starke FL- Bradford is set to defend their NEFAC football championship against a familiar foe in Oakleaf Junior High, after a thrilling comeback against Baker County Junior High in their playoff game.
With just 2:34 remaining in the game, #10 Chason Clark caught a pass from Da’Jon Shanks for the go ahead Bradford touchdown! An incredible 2-point conversion was good by Shanks to give Bradford the 22 to 15 lead over Baker County. On the final play of the game, Bradford’s defensive end Dayton Roberts sacked Baker’s quarterback as time expired giving Bradford the hard fought win.
Baker County won the first match up between the two teams this year, so Bradford came out determined to make a statement. #1 Torin Brazell would score first for the Tornadoes giving them a 6-0 lead as the 2-point conversion was no good.
Baker would respond when running back Ke’Nais Williams ran a 10 yard touchdown. Williams, would be effective in the run game for Baker County in the first half, but was used sparingly in the second. Hudson Register would pound in the 2-point conversion giving Baker the 8-6 lead.
Bradford would strike back like a whirlwind in the form of #2 Chalil Cummings. Cummings took a swing pass to the house with electrify speed to give Bradford the lead going into halftime!
In the second half, Bradford was in control of the game until suddenly the Wildcats made something wild happen. Safety Ma-Khai Mosley snatched an interception and returned it 96 yards to the Bradford 1-yd line.
Hudson Register would run it in from 1-yard out to tie the game at 14-14. Leave it up to the smallest player on the field, Baker’s kicker Brock Boatright to split the tie as he knocked the extra point through giving Baker the lead 15-14 going into the 4th quarter.
In the fourth, Bradford would make the plays necessary to win the game and return to the championship to face Oakleaf. The two teams met last year in the title game.
Bradford will play at Oakleaf today, 6pm at Oakleaf Senior High School.
