Bulldogs handed first loss 40-20
It sure didn’t help the Ida Baker Bulldogs’ chances Friday night, losing senior running back/cornerback Joseph Byrd to a knee injury late in the first quarter of their high school football game at South Fort Myers.
Byrd is the Bulldogs’ most explosive player and his speed and athleticism would’ve helped counter the elite talent of the Wolfpack.
Baker coach Brian Conn, though, wasn’t about to use that as an excuse as his Bulldogs fell from the ranks of the unbeaten in a 40-20 loss.
The Wolfpack (7-0) made enough plays on both sides of the ball to earn the Bulldogs’ respect, and the Bulldogs (6-1) made enough mistakes of their own, including five turnovers, that proved too much to overcome, despite a late flurry.
“(Byrd’s injury) took a little air out of the guys, but Brandon Cruz came in and played a heck of a game,” Conn said. “That’s not the reason we lost. We got beat in some other areas of the game.”
The Bulldogs entered the battle of unbeatens off to the best start in the five-year history of the program. Their defense had allowed only 18 total points through six games, but South’s two biggest threats, junior quarterback Dallas Crawford and junior receiver Sammy Watkins, played up to the hype.
Crawford constantly tested the defense downfield with his arm and finished 12-of-24 passing for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Watkins caught seven passes for 201 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown.
South’s offense stayed relatively balanced, finishing with 106 yards on 40 carries.
“South Fort Myers is the real deal,” Conn said. “You can’t simulate their speed. They made a few more plays than we would’ve liked.”
The anticipated matchup of South’s offense versus Baker’s defense unfolded on the first series of the game. South advanced to the Baker 43, but the Bulldogs held on four downs.
They took a 7-0 lead when junior quarterback Sean Francis hit Justen Urraro on a 43-yard pass, setting up a three-yard TD run by Byrd.
The Bulldogs led 7-6 after one, but it was late in the quarter when Byrd left the field with an MCL injury. Conn said he’ll be examined further and it’s unclear whether he’ll be available next week.
His absence seemed to take some of the life out of the team during the second quarter and the Bulldogs committed two costly turnovers that the Wolfpack turned into touchdowns.
After South had taken a 12-7 lead, Francis threw across the field and Crawford picked off the pass and returned it 37 yards, putting the Wolfpack up 19-7.
The Wolfpack carried that momentum, through the second and third quarters, scoring 40 unanswered points.
Trailing 40-7 late in the third quarter, the Bulldogs put together a comeback bid.
It started when Francis connected with Jacob York for a 68-yard touchdown and continued in the fourth when Cruz returned a punt 41 yards for a score, cutting it to 40-20.
The Bulldogs picked up their defensive intensity and made some key plays. Felix Solano and Tyler Montoney registered sacks, and Francis chased down Crawford in the backfield on fourth down near midfield with approximately eight minutes left.
The Bulldogs, though, were unable to drive the ball on the ensuing possession to keep the rally going.
“Our kids didn’t give up,” Conn said. “We made a play on special teams. The defense was able to get after it, but we just couldn’t string plays together on offense.”
The Bulldogs shift focus back to District 4A-12 play next Friday when they travel to Palmetto Ridge. The Bulldogs are 1-0 in the district with two games left, including the finale against Cape Coral.
Ida Baker 7 0 7 6 – 20
South FM 6 20 14 0 – 40
First Quarter
B – Joseph Byrd 3 run (Cody Kluesner kick)
S – Terrell Neal 3 run (kick blocked)
Second Quarter
S – Neal 6 run (pass failed)
S – Dallas Crawford 37 INT return (Elias Mayer kick)
S – Trey Schley 5 pass from Crawford (Mayer kick)
Third Quarter
S – Sammy Watkins 70 pass from Crawford (Mayer kick)
S – Josh Copeland 13 run (Mayer kick)
B – Jacob York 68 pass from Sean Francis (Kluesner kick)
Fourth Quarter
B – Brandon Cruz 41 punt return (pass failed)