When Freeport moved up to join South Walton and Walton in 2A, Shaun Arntz stressed the importance of beating rural teams.
Friday's 36-26 victory over Baker was one of those must-win games.
"Zakade Schiro was the man of the night" according to Arntz, the senior rushing for three touchdowns, hauling in a score and earning Homecoming King honors at the half. Carter Nunes threw for two scores -- one to Schiro and the other to Julius Miles -- and added another on the ground.
Josh Juntunen had two fumble recoveries, Mason Arnold delivered "several key plays" and Anthony Guard also recovered a fumble for the Bulldogs, who improved to 4-4 and sit ninth in Region 1-2A, just behind Baldwin for the final playoff spot. The Bulldogs next travel to district foe Walton, ranked seventh in the region. Baker, falling to 6-3, will enjoy a bye before finishing the season with a must-win tilt versus Vernon at home. The Gators currently rank 16th -- the final playoff spot -- in the Rural class.
Walton's playoff path is pretty much cemented at this point, the Braves currently locked into seventh in Region 1-2A. Friday's win at home over Bay to improve to 4-3 further cemented that.
Wells Bettenhausen completed 14 of 21 passes for 310 yards and four scores and ran for another in the win. Dominic Goodwin found the end zone twice, taking a kickoff 78 yards to the house and hauling in four receptions for 102 yards and a 71-yard score. Brayden Sampson added three catches for 124 yards and two scores, and Elijah Neenan had four receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown.
The Braves host district foe Freeport Friday before welcoming Blountstown in the regular-season finale.
The Raiders (3-5) won the third straight Beach Bowls to improve to 16-2 in the rivalry.
Roman Marshall and Brandon Estrada connected for two touchdowns on screen passes, Keagan Gilbert had touchdown runs of 44 and 38 yards, Andre Spence score twice and Ezekiel Burgess delivered a 100-yard pick-6 for the Raiders, who host Pace Friday.
The Vikings fell to 3-5 in the loss at Steve Riggs Stadium. They travel to Choctaw for "The Game" on Friday at Joe Etheredge Stadium.
Despite a strong start, the Seahawks fell to 2-6 in the road loss. Phil Tisa's crew hosts district foe Pensacola Catholic on Friday.
Crestview fell to 3-5 ahead of next week's trip to Tate.