Freeport within one victory of first district championship

FREEPORT — The Freeport football team’s offseason discussions centered on capturing the program’s first-ever district title but, once the year began, Bulldog coach Jim Anderson wanted all title talk to cease in favor of a “one-game-at-a-time” approach.

But this week chatter of a district championship was rekindled. And why not? With a victory tonight over District 1-A rival Baker (0-7, 0-6) at home, the Bulldogs (6-1, 6-0) would clinch the landmark title that has eluded the program for so long.

Not that Anderson has been beating that drum to death. He’s also cautioned the Bulldogs about getting too preoccupied with championship thoughts, which could lead to fractured concentration.

“They’re excited,” Anderson said, “but everybody is trying to stay focused on Baker.”

The young Gators have flirted with victory on several occasions this season but have yet to enter the win column. An upset of Freeport would no doubt be a season-making triumph. The smallest margin of victory for the Bulldogs in league play has been 13 points.

“It’s kind of like the SEC with everybody playing Florida and Alabama,” Baker coach Bob Kellogg said. “You ain’t supposed to win, but you can win on any Friday night and a lot can happen. You just never know.”

Kellogg said that defensively the Gators have done a sound job of getting into position to make tackles but finishing has been a major issue. He said if Bulldogs such as Nathan Hendrickson, who leads the area with 1,011 yards rushing, get into the secondary it will be difficult for the Gators to track them down.

“They are a big-play team,” Kellogg said. “And when you make a lot of big plays, that means you’ve got athletes.”

Anderson said Baker’s offense has the potential to give the Bulldogs’ defense fits with its diversity, particularly the underrated Vada Moore (743 rushing yards, 151 receiving yards, eight total touchdowns).

“(Baker moves) so many people around that it’s difficult to defend,” Anderson said.

As far as Freeport’s overall approach at this point in the season, it’s that of having unfinished business.

“We’re happy to have clinched a playoff spot, but our goal is to be district champs,” Anderson said. “I don’t think anything’s gone to their heads because we haven’t accomplished anything yet.”