Suwannee edges Baker County, Jaquez Moore scores 4 TDs

Suwannee 35, Baker County 32

Star of the game: Quarterback Jaquez Moore passed for three touchdowns and ran for another as visiting Suwannee (7-2) rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to nip Baker County (7-2).  

Turning point: With Baker County nursing a 32-28 lead, cornerback Keldrick Jordan blitzed off the edge and blew up an exchange between the Wildcats’ Carson Crawford and Jamarian Baker, forcing a fumble which Jordan recovered at the Baker County 23 yard line. Two plays later, Malachi Graham darted up the middle from 4 yards out for the winning touchdown with 1:45 remaining.

On defense: The Bulldogs forced four turnovers in the fourth quarter to turn the game. Safety Keiwan Ladler’s interception and 20-yard return led to a touchdown pass from Moore to tight end Andrew Brown.  ... Ladler later picked off Crawford’s final throw of the night at midfield to seal the game. ... Early in the fourth quarter, Suwannee CB Jay Smith intercepted a pass deep in Bulldogs territory. ... Moore, a two-way starter, recovered a first quarter fumble that led to a touchdown pass and forced a second quarter fumble that was recovered by Smith. . . Wildcats safety De’Heaven Clark’s interception thwarted a Suwannee drive inside Baker County territory. . . Senior LB Toby Kinghorn blocked a Bulldogs punt which was recovered by the Wildcats’ Cain Garrett at the Suwannee 27.

Fast facts: Moore opened the scoring with a 1-yard run. The senior had 63 rushing yards and passed for 181 yards on 19 completions. . . Wesley Jones was on the receiving end of two of Moore’s touchdown passes and had a game-high seven receptions for 62 yards. . . Graham ran for 113 yards on 15 carries. . . Camron Smith woke up the Wildcats with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown after Suwannee had jumped out to a 14-0 lead. . .  Baker County was successful on two-point conversions after all four of their touchdowns. . . Crawford ran for two touchdowns, while Baker scored the other Wildcats touchdown. . .Baker County will travel to face the winner of the first round Class 5A playoff game between Raines and Westside on November 20. . . The Wildcats and Bulldogs could meet again in a regional semifinal.

They said it:  “It was a playoff atmosphere. If we can come into this place and win, we can win anywhere.” — Suwannee coach Kyler Hall.

Mike Zima/For the Times-Union