By By BRUCE HIXON
the brewton standard
In a hard fought defensive battle on Saturday, the Baker Gators held on to edge the East Brewton Eagles 8-6.
During a scoreless first half, both teams mounted impressive offensive drives of 70 plus yards, but tough play by both defensive squads kept the score tied at zero going into the half.
Throughout the game, 14 different defensive players for the Eagles contributed to 39 tackles, 11 of which were for a loss, with 29 assists.
Trevor Burns at linebacker and Brandon Carmichael at cornerback led the defense with more than 10 tackles and assists, while Lededdrick Curry led the team in tackles for loss with 5.
Early in the third quarter, Baker executed a 60-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown that was punched in on an eight-yard rush by Givens.
The two-point conversion led to an 8-0 lead for Baker.
East Brewton was unable to convert on their next possession, punting the ball to Baker where they started on their own 25-yard line.
After a 20-yard drive, Baker attempted a short pass over the middle, but a quick read and leaping interception with a three-yard gain by East Brewton’s Dalton Evans gave the ball back to East Brewton on Baker’s 39.
Trevor Burns was able to rush the ball in several plays later for 18 yards and an East Brewton touchdown, making the score 8-6.
However, a holding call on the two-point conversion pushed the ball back and the second attempt was no good.
East Brewton’s offense mounted several impressive drives with Trevor Burns at tailback carrying the ball 19 times for 84 yards behind the steady blocking of the offensive line and with Brandon Carmichael opening the holes as the lead blocking fullback.
Cam Blackman also gained 14 yards on six carries at tailback, adding to the 112 total offensive yards by the Eagles. Completed passes from Cam Blackman to Gary Likely for 5 yards and from Tyler Joyner to Josiah Nettles for 9 yards finished out the offensive total.