Prep football player profile: Baker's Vada Moore

BAKER — Life as a tackling dummy was good for Vada Moore.

Having been reared in the Baker football family for nearly his entire career, Moore was ready when he became practice fodder for the varsity when he hit ninth grade.

“When I moved up on varsity last year, I got used as a tackling dummy for a while,” Moore said. “I had to pay my dues like everyone else.”

In one year, Moore has gone from being beat up on the practice field to Baker’s offensive workhorse.

At a school where all offenses in the near future will be judged around how they compare to the one run by departed quarterback Cameron Domangue, Baker coach Bob Kellogg pulled out perhaps the biggest compliment he could.

“On the football field, he’s ahead of where Cameron was as a sophomore,” Kellogg said.

As just a sophomore, Kellogg readily admits that Moore still has some growing up to do on and off the field, but he’s been one of the most consistent players on a team that’s struggled through an 0-8 season thus far.

As the head of Baker’s run-oriented offense, Moore is third in the area with 883 yards rushing on 166 carries with eight touchdowns. While Domangue spread the field with his lightning quickness, Moore prefers lowering his shoulder and running between the tackles. To help with this, Kellogg has Moore taking snaps from the shotgun and has pulled in most of his backs to help block.

It’s not quite the speed-based offense Baker is used to, but Kellogg said it’s helped the Gators improve on a weekly basis and given Moore an opportunity to showcase his ability.

Still, Kellogg credits a formative junior class in helping Moore grow into his role.

“It’s what is around him that’s really allowed him to be successful, but on the football field he’s one of our better athletes,” Kellogg said. “Everybody knows coaching-wise you try to put it in the hands of your better athletes and try to let them make plays.”

One of Moore’s grittiest performances this season came in a narrow 14-12 loss to District 1-A stalwart South Walton, which rolled into Baker undefeated on Sept. 25. Moore racked up 103 yards on 25 carries and scored the touchdown that gave Baker a 12-7 lead over a Seahawks team that’s since clinched a playoff berth.

He’s still progressing, but Kellogg hopes big things are in Moore’s future.

“As far as a kid that comes out every day and works hard, he’s a very enjoyable kid to be around on the practice field,” Kellogg said. “He has a good attitude and he’s always happy. He’s going to come out and he’s going to work hard.”