Concepcion leads Holmes County past Baker

BONIFAY — Jomar Concepcion scored five touchdowns and the Holmes County defense came up big when it mattered as the Blue Devils beat winless Baker 35-28 Friday night at Memorial Field in District 1-1A.

Baker opened the scoring after blocking a Holmes County punt, with Vada Moore going in from 4 yards. David Beck’s kick made it 7-0.

Concepcion struck on the ensuing kickoff, following good blocking down the right side for a 91-yard return. Cameron Bailey’s kick tied it 7-7 with 5:19 left in the first quarter.

The Devils (2-5, 2-5) stopped the Gators (0-7, 0-6) on fourth down at the Holmes County 17, but gave the ball back on a botched punt snap at the Devils’ 4. Two plays later, Derek Hall intercepted a Gator pass to end that threat, although his apparent touchdown return was thwarted by an illegal block.

Holmes County then put together an 11-play, 96-yard drive that Concepcion finished off with an 11-yard run with 5:26 left in the half. Baker’s Justin Washington stopped another Holmes drive with an interception, and seven plays later Logan Wagner hit Moore with a 35-yard strike for a touchdown.

Baker then recovered an onside kick, but Concepcion intercepted a pass and raced 77 yards to make it 21-14 at the half.

Baker again tied it with 4:32 left in the third quarter on a 9-yard run by Moore. Holmes answered with Concepcion’s 22-yard run later in the quarter.

Holmes stopped another Baker drive at its 4 with 4:21 left, and two plays later Concepcion dashed 66 yards to make it 35-21 with 3:50 remaining.

Wagner found Moore with a 29-yard touchdown pass to close the gap, but the Devils ran out the final 2:13 to take their second win of the season.

Holmes County is at Chipley next week.