Holmes County’s strong first half sets the tone for victory
Holmes County’s strong start overcomes Bozeman’s second-half comeback and the team wins 40-23.
Last week we released the power rankings of the regional high school football teams ahead of the season opener on Friday.
Week 1 of Bay County football was no disappointment, bringing us outstanding performances and the end of a nearly two-year losing streak. Rankings are based on game results, win margin and strength of opponent.
Power Rankings for Bay County Football in Week 2
1. Mosley (1-0)
Previous rank: 1
The Dolphins did it, beating Rutherford 53-28. Quarterback Sammy Freitas had a record-setting day, throwing for 288 yards and five touchdowns. Wide receiver Carson Griffin caught six passes for 103 yards and three touchdowns. Mosley’s defense was as advertised, and edge rusher Raedyn Bruens disrupted the game several times.
2. Arnold (1-0)
Previous rank: 5
The Marlins won a regular season game for the first time in nearly two years after putting in a stellar performance on defense to beat Bay 8-7. The defense, led by linemen Will Neely and Will King and corner Darin Elder, held firm in the final seconds of the game, stopping the Tornadoes at the goal line and winning the Battle of the Bridge.
3. Bay (0-1)
Previous rank: 3
The Tornadoes were three yards away from scoring a point but couldn’t convert. With the abundance of talent on offense, it took until late in the third quarter for the team to score its only points. The Tornadoes need to figure out which players to use to maximize their scoring opportunities.
4. Bozeman (0-1)
Previous rank: 2
The only highlight of the first half was senior Lakota Johnson’s kickoff return for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 25 points. Bozeman’s defense held Holmes County to six points in the second half as Johnson and quarterback Hayden Gay scored in the second half.
Adjustments need to be made for the Bucks’ four turnovers and the defense needs to find a safe way to stop the running game.
5. Rutherford (0-1)
Previous rank: 4
The Rams faced a formidable challenge against a high-flying Mosley team. In the second half, Rutherford showed signs of life as quarterback Jaleel Reed connected with his receivers and used his legs to extend plays. As the season progresses, as the Rams face tougher opponents, Reed’s development will be crucial to their games.
6. North Bay Haven (0-1)
Previous rank: 6
The Buccaneers were left without a chance at home, struggling to contain Freeport’s dynamic offense. Turnovers and missed tackles made the difference for North Bay Haven, which could not overcome a 22-0 halftime deficit.
Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. Reach him at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1.
