Baptist Prep rolls past Foreman 48-6 in season opener
Baptist Prep turned takeaways into touchdowns and built a 42-point halftime advantage Friday night, defeating Foreman 48-6 at Eagle Creek Field.
The Eagles scored 22 points in the opening quarter and led 48-6 by halftime. Neither team scored after intermission as the second half was played with a running clock.
Baptist Prep made its biggest impact early with a defense that continually created extra possessions. The Eagles forced three turnovers in the first quarter alone, including an interception by Aaron Fielder and fumble recoveries by Boaz Benson and Josh Bledsoe.
Fielder opened the scoring when he caught a 2-yard screen pass for a touchdown. Baptist Prep stretched the lead to 14-0 after Shep Garrison scored on the ground and quarterback Titus Benson ran in the 2-point conversion.
Andrew Green added another rushing touchdown late in the first quarter. Benson again handled the conversion himself, giving Baptist Prep a 22-0 lead with 1:44 remaining in the period.
Foreman produced one of the night’s biggest individual highlights early in the second quarter. Quarterback Hayden Easter escaped pressure before pitching the ball to Kalin Easter, who broke several tackles and raced down the sideline for a touchdown. The conversion failed, cutting Baptist Prep’s lead to 22-6.
The Eagles answered immediately.
Titus Benson connected with his brother Boaz Benson on a deep completion that put Baptist Prep near the goal line. Titus finished the possession with a touchdown run to make it 28-6.
Benson scored again later in the second quarter, walking into the end zone on fourth-and-1. Green’s extra point made it 35-6.
Special teams then created another opportunity. Green’s deep kickoff bounced near the Foreman 20 and Baptist Prep recovered, immediately giving the Eagles another red-zone possession. Garrison finished that opportunity with his second rushing touchdown of the half for a 41-6 advantage.
Baptist Prep added its final touchdown shortly before halftime following another takeaway. Titus Benson threw to Boaz Benson in the corner of the end zone, and the 6-foot-4 senior made the contested catch through double coverage. Green converted the extra point for the 48-6 halftime advantage.
The Eagle defense continued producing after halftime. Fielder recorded his second interception of the game in the third quarter and returned it across midfield. Junior linebacker Joseph Somerville recovered another Foreman fumble early in the fourth quarter.
Foreman continued competing behind Hayden Easter, Brody Bearden and Kalin Easter. Hayden Easter made plays with his legs and on kickoff returns, Bearden provided physical carries between the tackles, and Kalin Easter delivered Foreman’s touchdown and also made an impact defensively.
Baptist Prep’s combination of defensive takeaways, quarterback production and special-teams play gave the Eagles control from the opening quarter and a 48-6 victory to begin the season.
SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
- Baptist Prep — Aaron Fielder 2-yard touchdown reception. Conversion failed. Baptist Prep 6-0
- Baptist Prep — Shep Garrison touchdown run. Titus Benson 2-point run. Baptist Prep 14-0
- Baptist Prep — Andrew Green touchdown run. Titus Benson 2-point run. Baptist Prep 22-0
Second Quarter
- Foreman — Kalin Easter touchdown run following pitch from Hayden Easter. 2-point conversion failed. Baptist Prep 22-6
- Baptist Prep — Titus Benson touchdown run. 2-point conversion failed. Baptist Prep 28-6
- Baptist Prep — Titus Benson touchdown run. Andrew Green PAT. Baptist Prep 35-6
- Baptist Prep — Shep Garrison touchdown run. PAT failed. Baptist Prep 41-6
- Baptist Prep — Boaz Benson touchdown reception from Titus Benson. Andrew Green PAT. Baptist Prep 48-6
Third Quarter
- No scoring.
Fourth Quarter
- No scoring.
FINAL — Baptist Prep 48, Foreman 6
PLAYERS WHO STOOD OUT
Baptist Prep
Titus Benson, QB — Accounted for multiple scores, rushing for two touchdowns and two 2-point conversions while throwing touchdown passes to Aaron Fielder and Boaz Benson. His running ability was a major part of the Baptist Prep offense.
Aaron Fielder, WR/DB — Scored the game’s first touchdown and intercepted two passes defensively. His second interception came in the third quarter and included a long return across midfield.
Boaz Benson, TE/DE — Made several important plays on both sides of the ball. He recovered an early Foreman fumble, caught a deep pass that helped set up a touchdown and made a contested touchdown reception in the corner of the end zone late in the first half.
Shep Garrison, RB — Scored two rushing touchdowns, including Baptist Prep’s second touchdown of the game and another during the Eagles’ second-quarter surge.
Andrew Green, RB/K/DB — Contributed in all three phases. Green scored a rushing touchdown, made two PATs, consistently drove kickoffs deep and broke up a pass from his safety position. His kickoff also helped create a Baptist Prep recovery deep in Foreman territory.
Brody Babcock, WR/DB — Made an important fourth-down reception to move Baptist Prep inside the 5-yard line early and contributed as a blocker and defender. He also came off the edge for a second-half sack.
Josh Bledsoe, DL — Recovered a first-quarter fumble after Baptist Prep pressured Hayden Easter.
Hunter Welchman — Recovered a Foreman fumble in the second quarter, giving Baptist Prep another possession in plus territory.
Joseph Somerville, LB — Recovered a fourth-quarter fumble and also made a tackle against the Foreman running game after entering defensively.
Foreman
Kalin Easter — Produced Foreman’s biggest offensive play, breaking multiple tackles and racing down the sideline for the Gators’ touchdown. He also made an impact defensively with an interception in the second half.
Hayden Easter, QB — Showed athleticism throughout the game, extending plays, contributing as a runner and handling kickoff returns. His scramble and pitch created Foreman’s touchdown.