Baker Looks To Replace Key Players In 2021

When Baker beat Hawthorn to win the Florida Class 1A state title, it was a milestone for a program that had been in this position in the past. What head coach<strong> Joe Brunson </strong>and his staff did in winning all 14 games this past season was to get the best out of everyone who played on both sides of the ball. <img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-88994" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/OntheSideline-Logo-8-300x188.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="188" />While this team will lose some key seniors from this state title team – including Coach Brunson’s versatile son, there are plenty of candidates to defend that state title with in 2021. As many new faces will arrive on the scene to mix with prospects that are returning for the Gators, there will be plenty of work to get back to state title game – especially with so many new faces, but Coach Brunson has been down this road before – and everyone in this Panhandle community has bought into what this football program has long been about – and now they are hungry to get back for another chance. The road will be filled with plenty of obstacles – as Blountstown and the three-time defending state champion Madison County Cowboys found out this season. Nothing is guaranteed and getting to the state finals is certainly not a given. The Gators will have some quality faces coming back in 2021. State championship game hero sophomore<strong> Kayleb Wagner </strong>returns to give this team a boost on both sides of the ball. Other Class of 2023 prospects expected to make a push to give this team another lift include <strong>Hunter Allen</strong> (OL/DL), <strong>Brayshawn Baker</strong> (OLB), <strong>Justin Barberee</strong> (WR/DB), <strong>Clay Harppster</strong> (RB/DB), <strong>Garrett McClendon</strong> (FB/DL), <strong>Jace Tolbert </strong>(LB), <strong>Colton Weekly</strong> (QB/DB) and <strong>Ethan Williams</strong> (DL). The Class of 2022 will also give this program so prospects who received valuable exposure this past season. Prospects like versatile tight end and defensive end <strong>Ethan Edge</strong>, who has the size and athletic ability to be a true leader. In addition, the current junior class also features <strong>Ryan Fleming</strong> (RB), <strong>Randall Godwin</strong> (DE), <strong>Alex Johnson</strong> (DL), <strong>Nathaniel Jordan </strong>(DB/WR), <strong>Tanner Kimbrel</strong> (DB), <strong>Raediah Lewis</strong> (OL/DL), <strong>Brandon Moss</strong> (QB/S) and <strong>Jared Raybon</strong> (OG/LB). If this program is going to remain in the spotlight and keep those surging area teams from beating them, the future is a must – and Class of 2024 freshmen <strong>Kurt Armstrong</strong> (OL/DL), <strong>Dustin Clark</strong> (OL/DL) and <strong>Trevor Hansen</strong> (TE/DE) will only add to the future with the new faces that we will see coming in this next year. During the off-season, in addition to bringing you rankings and profiles on prospects – we will stop in on statewide football teams to see what they have cooking for 2021! <strong><em>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: <a href="mailto:Foridakids1@aol.com">Foridakids1@aol.com</a>. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.</em></strong>