Edgewater's Cedric Baxter Jr. returns to score game-winner vs. Tampa Bay Tech
ORLANDO — Cedric Baxter Jr. couldn’t have picked a better time to play his first full game in more than a month.
The Edgewater senior running back, ranked No. 6 on the USA Today Florida Network top 100, rushed for the eventual game-winning score in the fourth quarter as the top-seeded Eagles held on to beat Tampa Bay Tech 28-24 on Friday night in a 3 M regional semifinal.
“This is really my first game back in a long time,” said Baxter, who’s been dealing with a hamstring issue. “So to come out here and get the dub in a hard-fought game, it felt good. I feel good, I’ve just got to get back into the groove of things.”
Baxter, a Texas commit, was the focal point of the Titans' defensive game plan, which helped Edgewater quarterback Chase Carter break loose for a pair of touchdowns in the first half. Carter also threw a first-quarter touchdown pass to Camp Magee, a Northwestern commit.
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Baxter found the end zone in the first half on a play that would have given the Eagles a commanding three-score lead, but it was called back because of a holding penalty.
There were no penalties on his fourth-quarter run — a 47-yard scamper up the middle. Once Baxter broke free of an attempted leg tackle and got into the open field, no one was going to catch him.
“I told the coaches, ‘Let’s keep running power,’” Baxter said. “I felt like I was going to break it. I just needed to get into a rhythm and that’s what we did.”
As for his recruiting, with little more than a month to go before the early signing period, Baxter remains firmly committed to Texas.
He said Florida State’s been recruiting him hard, but he’s not going to flip.
“They’re definitely trying,” Baxter said of the Seminoles. “Nah. I’m committed to Texas.”
Recruiting notes
Edgewater junior Cai Bates had a pair of interceptions, including one in the end zone late in the fourth quarter. Bates has an offer from South Carolina to play defensive back and also holds offers from Indiana, Iowa State and Marshall to play wide receiver.
Tampa Bay Tech senior edge rusher Antonio Camon made multiple stops in the backfield, including a sack in the first half and a key third down tackle for loss that forced an Edgewater punt with less than three minutes remaining in the game. Camon, who came within inches of blocking that punt, is committed to Pitt.
Tampa Bay Tech sophomore wide receiver Dallas Wilson had a big game, catching a pair of touchdown passes from Xavione Washington. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Wilson has offers from Penn State, Pittsburgh, Colorado and others.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Cedric Baxter Jr. returns, scores game-winning TD in playoff matchup
