Jamichael Baxter delivered a major punch for Chattanooga Christian School in Friday's road upset over third-ranked and previously unbeaten Knoxville Grace.
Baxter was a steady force throughout and provided a crucial blow late.
The senior running back took a handoff up the middle and bounced it to the right sideline to leave defenders in the dust for a 45-yard score with three minutes left to help seal a 59-48 victory.
"Every time I am out on the football field I lock in," said Baxter, who carried the ball 25 times for 162 yards and a career-high four touchdowns to earn Times Free Press Player of the Week honors. "Friday's win showed us what can happen when we all work together and do our individual tasks as a team. That is the best game I have ever been a part of in my time here and we look to build off that."
Baxter has formed a lethal one-two punch in the wing-T backfield with senior co-workhorse Traveon Scott, who carried the ball 21 times for 110 yards Friday.
Athleticism abounds for the Chargers backfield, which rushed for 341 yards and handled a heavy workload with 60 carries behind a tough offensive line last Friday.
Baxter - who is 5-foot-6, 165 pounds - squats 420 pounds, benches 235 pounds and was timed at 4.44 in the 40-yard dash. He has an offer from Milligan University and rushed for a career-high 258 yards against Silverdale Baptist last season.
"Jamichael has a unique combination of speed, vision and power," said CCS coach Mark Mariakis. "His leadership is incredible. You don't ever have to worry if he is loafing or not. In the weight room, practice field, classroom, he is giving everything he's got.
"People underestimate him because of his size, but he plays way bigger than his stature. He embraces contact and is a weapon whether you are handing, tossing or throwing him the ball. He is a vital part of this team and has been ever since he got here."
Coming off the first win against Knox Grace in program history, CCS will look to keep rolling behind Baxter and company this Friday in a home region matchup against Notre Dame.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.
Staff file photo by Troy Stolt / CCS running back Jamichael Baxter (22) looks for an open running lane during the football game between Boyd Buchanan and Chattanooga Christian at Finley Stadium on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020 in Chattanooga, Tenn.