DAPHNE — Like a confident field general, Christian Segar took command when Daphne needed him most, marching the Trojans downfield on an explosive final offensive attack that completed a 13-point comeback and lifted his team past Baker, 22-19, Friday night.

Segar threw three second-half touchdown passes, including the go-ahead score to Chris Wrightington with 17 seconds remaining, as Daphne turned a 13-0 deficit into one of its most dramatic wins of the season.

The comeback capped an evening that began with Youth Night and Sept. 11 recognition before turning into exactly the type of physical contest Daphne head coach Kenny King expected.

King said before kickoff that the matchup would be decided at the line of scrimmage.

“Yeah, definitely,” King said afterward. “That’s exactly where it went. Guys took care of business up front.”

Neither offense generated much momentum early, with the defenses controlling the opening quarter.

Daphne’s John Hill recorded sacks in both the first and second quarters, but Baker eventually broke through when Bennett Morgan connected on a field goal with 5:20 remaining in the second quarter.

The Hornets created another opportunity when Baker defensive back Mason Collins-Scott intercepted a pass with 3:51 left before halftime.

Another Daphne turnover late in the half gave the visitors a short field, and Landon Washington scored on a one-yard run with eight seconds remaining to send the Hornets into halftime ahead 10-0.

Things got worse for Daphne immediately after the break.

The Trojans fumbled the opening kickoff of the third quarter, and Morgan converted another field goal to stretch Baker’s advantage to 13-0.

Segar admitted the first half had been disjointed from the start.

“We came out and played a really bad first half,” Segar said. “Offensively, we didn’t have any energy. I wasn’t playing my best, the receivers weren’t playing their best. We were really out of rhythm.”

King’s halftime message was simple.

“We struggled there at the beginning offensively,” King said. “Came back and said, ‘It’s 0-0,’ and that we needed to go take care of business in the second half.”

That reset eventually took hold.

Segar put Daphne on the board with 6:16 left in the third quarter when he connected with Landon Forrest for the Trojans’ first touchdown of the night.

Malachi Norman added the extra point to make it 13-7.

Daphne’s defense followed with another stop, including a sack from TK Brown.

The Trojans took their first lead with 8:02 remaining in the fourth quarter when Segar found Tay Young for a touchdown. Norman’s extra point pushed Daphne ahead 14-13.

But Baker promptly answered.

Gavin Wood scored on a four-yard run with 4:59 left, then converted the two-point attempt himself to put the Hornets back in front 19-14.

That gave Daphne 4:47 to respond.

The Trojans moved methodically downfield, with Carson Leverett making a key reception and Young converting a crucial third-and-long with just over a minute remaining.

Seventeen seconds remained when Segar found Wrightington for the touchdown that put Daphne back in front.

The Trojans went back to Wrightington on the two-point conversion, with Segar finding him again to make it 22-19.

Segar said one of the key calls came from something Daphne had practiced but not yet used in a game.

“It was a play they’ve been working on for a while now,” Segar said. “We hadn’t run it in a game yet, so when we got the call, it got me excited. We went out and executed it.”

Baker had one final possession, but Karson Lacey intercepted the Hornets to cap the comeback.

Baker head coach Eric Scott credited Daphne afterward while acknowledging that his team missed chances to create more separation.

“They played a good game, credit to Daphne,” Scott said. “We thought we could get the run there. They took things away, and you’ve got to make adjustments on it.”

The Hornets created turnovers and favorable field position throughout the night, but several of those opportunities ended in field goals rather than touchdowns.

“We got the turnover and couldn’t capitalize,” Scott said. “You can’t win depending on field goals.”

From 13 points down early in the third quarter, Daphne scored 22 of the game’s final 28 points to complete the comeback.

Primetime Performers

Christian Segar

Daphne | Quarterback | Senior

Notable Stats: 3 second-half touchdown passes, game-winning score game-winning two-point conversion

Segar’s night changed dramatically after halftime.

He accounted for all three Daphne touchdowns through the air and directed the decisive final possession after Baker retook the lead with less than five minutes remaining.

His composure under pressure was most evident on the final drive, when he kept the offense moving with the game hanging in the balance.

Daphne Receiving Corps

Landon Forrest No. 1 | Chris Wrightington No. 13 | Carson Leverett No. 15

Notable Impact: Two touchdown receptions, game-winning two-point conversion and multiple key catches during the second-half comeback

Daphne’s receivers made Segar’s second-half surge matter.

Forrest caught the touchdown that started the comeback, Leverett made an important reception on the final possession and Wrightington delivered the biggest catches of the night with the go-ahead touchdown and ensuing two-point conversion.

The group consistently found space as the Trojans’ offense settled into rhythm after halftime.

John Hill

Daphne | Edge/Linebacker | No. 7

Notable Stats: 2 sacks

Hill helped keep Daphne within striking distance during a first half in which the offense struggled to generate momentum.

He recorded a sack in each of the first two quarters and consistently gave Baker problems around the edge.

Hill’s early pressure helped prevent the Hornets from building a larger advantage before Daphne’s offense came alive.

Defining Moments

Segar finds Wrightington for the winner — 4th Quarter

Impact Rating: 10.0

With Daphne trailing 19-14 and only seconds remaining, Segar found Wrightington for the touchdown that completed the comeback.

The play capped a drive in which Daphne refused to let the game slip away after Baker had retaken the lead.

Third-and-long completion to Young — 4th Quarter

Impact Rating: 9.0

Before Daphne could score the winner, it first had to keep the drive alive.

Facing third-and-long with just over a minute remaining, Segar connected with Young for the first down.

Without that conversion, the comeback likely ends there.

Forrest’s touchdown changes the feel — 3rd Quarter

Impact Rating: 8.5

Down 13-0, Daphne needed something positive.

Segar’s touchdown pass to Forrest at 6:16 in the third quarter finally gave the Trojans life and helped shift the feel of the game.

From that point forward, Daphne’s offense looked increasingly comfortable.

Quotes To Note

“Once the momentum started rolling, it really just took off from there.” — Christian Segar, Daphne quarterback

Obscure Observations

Segar created throwing windows with his movement: Baker’s pressure forced Segar off his initial spot throughout the second half, but his agility in the backfield allowed him to extend plays while keeping his eyes downfield. That extra time gave Daphne’s receivers opportunities to uncover after the original structure of the play broke down.

Daphne’s defense survived bad field position: Turnovers repeatedly forced the Trojans to defend shortened fields. Even so, the defense limited the damage often enough to keep the game within reach until the offense found its rhythm.

The atmosphere matched the occasion: Daphne’s entrance featured American and Alabama flags, camouflage-clad flag bearers and a “Red, White and Blue” banner, while the stadium videoboard displayed a Sept. 11 “We Will Never Forget” tribute.

Up Next

Daphne: vs. Davidson | Friday, Sept. 18

The Trojans remain at home looking to build on this comeback that tested their resilience from start to finish.

Baker: at Foley | Friday, Sept. 18

The Hornets will look to regroup at Foley after letting a 13-point second-half advantage slip away.