Prep football: Wildcats follow Blue Devils script, run way past Panthers, 22-7

Palatka fell to Baker County 22-7 Friday night at Bennett-Cooper Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Wildcats rushed for 239 yards. Jaden Mosley gained 134 yards on 27 carries and scored two touchdowns.

The loss dropped Palatka to 1-4 as the Panthers closed their non-district schedule. Baker County improved to 4-1 by controlling the ball for 31 minutes, 37 seconds, compared with Palatka’s 16:23. The result gave Palatka another difficult home performance before District 4-3A play begins.

Baker County appeared to follow the formula Clay used in a 35-0 victory over Palatka two weeks earlier. Clay rushed for 264 yards in that game, and the Wildcats attacked Palatka on the ground throughout Friday’s matchup.

Mosley scored on a 4-yard run during Baker County’s opening drive after Jake Lee recovered Jaylin Phillips’ fumble at the Palatka 31. Johnny Jakubik kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

The Wildcats extended the margin during a 60-yard, 12-play drive in the second quarter. Baker County called 11 running plays and one pass, with quarterback Nate Welch connecting with Peyton Jones for 12 yards to reach the Palatka 7. Mosley then ran 6 yards for his second touchdown. Rhett Rhoden found Dylan Raulerson on a fake extra-point attempt, giving Baker County a 15-0 advantage.

Palatka answered in the second half with its first home touchdown in three games. Chase Phillips muffed a punt, and Maurice Dumas recovered at the Wildcat 34. The Panthers drove to the Baker County 6 before quarterback Noah McKinley escaped the pocket and ran for the touchdown with 7:32 remaining. Landon Bennett kicked the extra point.

Baker County sealed the result with an 80-yard drive that covered eight plays. Rhoden finished it with a 28-yard touchdown run with 3:19 left, and Jakubik added the extra point. Montrez Aldridge intercepted McKinley at the Panther 34 on the next play, allowing the Wildcats to run out the clock.

Interim Palatka coach Paul Mast said the Panthers struggled to catch a break but continued to support their offensive staff and players.

“We just got out-gunned tonight. We didn’t have things go our way, but I’m proud of every single person in the organization, though,” Mast said.

Mast took over Friday because regular coach Lantz Lowery welcomed his fourth grandchild and third granddaughter earlier in the day. Mast said Palatka needed better preparation after Baker County duplicated Clay’s success on the ground.

Palatka opens District 4-3A play next Friday with a 7 p.m. homecoming game against winless Jacksonville Westside, which entered the matchup at 0-5.