While Choctawhatchee delivered the biggest win Friday night at Eagle Stadium, elsewhwere Baker continued winning and Fort Walton Beach finally broke through.
Here’s a recap from those wins.
FWB 21, Walton 18
There was no Gatorade bath, just Tommy Johnson giving Josh Pulliam a little squirt with the Gatorade bottle.
Nonetheless, this was a pivotal road win for the Vikings over a program coming off a Sweet 16 trip last year. Cannon Wilbur rushed for two touchdowns, Diandre Mayes delivered a pick-six and Mikko Delong’s fourth-quarter interception sealed Pulliam’s first win as head coach and the Vikings’ first of the season after opening 0-4 against teams with a combined 13-5 record.
“Our defense really had to hold them. It was awesome,” Pulliam said. “The kids were fired up. This was all for them and for the coaches and all their hard work.”
A much-needed move was Lavin McDaniel switching from receiver to quarterback. Pulliam praised the sophomore for his poise and decision making, labeling McDaniel Fort Walton’s future under center. That allowed former QB Wilbur to slot into a role Pulliam called “Thor’s Hammer” or the “Wild Viking,” a play on the wildcat.
For four weeks, Fort Walton Beach’s offense scored just 44 points. Friday represented a brighter future for an offense that hits the road for a 1-4 Rickards team before returning for a three-game homestand versus Wakulla, Arnold and archrival Choctaw.
Baker 27, Rutherford 3
Wyatt Straight had himself a night for the Gators, who improved to 5-0 behind his 156 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Calvin Wilks added 67 rushing yards and Justice Baldwin found Riley Renfro three times for 56 yards for the Gators, who have outscored foes 179-57 on the year.
The Gators next host Houston County (1-4) on Friday night.
Milton 53, Navarre 27
Despite a pair of touchdown catches from Marquez White and two field goals from Jack Beyer, the Raiders fell to 0-4. Tate comes to Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium Friday night.
Florida High 34, South Walton 14
On the road against a 2A powerhouse, South Walton suffered its first loss of the season Friday. The Seahawks look to bounce back next week against archrival Walton at the Hawks Nest.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Week 5 HS football roundup: Baker improves to 5-0, FWB scores road win over Walton
Reporting by Seth Stringer, Northwest Florida Daily News / Northwest Florida Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
