Josh Flowers accounted for five touchdowns to lead Baker over Class 6A No. 5 Theodore 36-20 Friday night at Clem Richardson Stadium in West Mobile.

Flowers, a Mississippi State commit, rushed for a pair of scores and tossed three touchdowns to Auburn WR commit Bryce Cain.

“Having Bryce and knowing when Josh throws the deep ball Bryce will go up and battle for it, gives him so much confidence,” Hornets coach Steve Normand said. Baker snapped a six-game losing streak to Theodore and ruined the debut of coach Steve Mask on the Bobcat sideline.

Flowers connected with Cain four times, including touchdown receptions of 3, 40 and 47 yards. Cain finished with 133 yards receiving.

“We just have this great connection and chemistry with each other,” Cain said.

The Hornets’ defense swarmed the Bobcats, only allowing 43 yards total offense and one first down in the first half, as they built a 15-0 lead.

“The first half really hurt us, not being able to move the ball, but credit to Baker,” Mask said. “They were much more physical than we were.”

The Bobcats made it a one-score game twice in the second half, but were unable to stop Flowers and the Hornet offense.

Cameron Rigby added a pair of second-half passing scores for Theodore. The Bobcats senior quarterback finished with 209 yards passing after managing only 28 in the first half.

“We kept battling back but could never get that one stop we needed,” Mask said.

Star of the game: Flowers avoided the negative plays and still had the wow moments, finishing with 254 yards passing and 66 yards rushing. He scored on runs of 1 and 12 yards. “The offensive line kept me comfortable tonight against a very good defensive front,” Flowers said.

Play of the game: After the Bobcats cut the lead to 15-7, the Hornets faced a third-and-long from their 20. Flowers connected with Troy commit Kevin Beckham, who broke several tackles and raced downs sidelines for a gain of 68 yards, the longest play from scrimmage for the Hornets. Flowers punched it in from 12 yards out on the next play, extending thee lead to 22-7 and reclaiming the momentum.

Stat sheet: Roderick Taylor had 5 receptions for 40 yards for Baker, rushed for 81 yards and added 61 yards on special teams returns. Beckham led the Hornets with 8 receptions for 112 yards. “We didn’t have Kevin on the field last season for us. He makes a big difference in our offense,” Normand said.

Theodore’s Braxton Clark caught 6 passes for 107 yards, Rigby rushed for 36 yards on the ground for Theodore. Navontay Richardson added a four-yard rushing score for Theodore. The Bobcats’ 13-game regular-season winning streak was snapped.

By the numbers: (2019) the last loss by the Bobcats on the road during the regular season. (15) longest offensive play by the Bobcats in the first half, Rigby to Braxton Clark. (29) Margin of victory last season when Theodore defeated Baker 32-3.

Coachspeak: ”They utilize their weapons so well, and they came with a great gameplan tonight.” — Mask.

“We’ve go some things to clean up, some special teams errors, but what a way to start the season in this atmosphere.” — Normand.

They said it: “We are young on defense. I have to do a better job leading and showing these guys where to be and put them in position to make plays. It’s a long season, and we will rebound.” — Theodore LB Bobby Pruitt.

Next week: Baker (1-0) plays at Wetumpka, while Theodore (0-1) plays at Robertsdale.