Every season there are always a list of players that rank as the best in Northeast Arkansas . Sometimes that list is better than others , but it ’ s a rarity that there ’ s typically just a clear cut most valuable player . Connor Baker is that clear cut pick . As the starting quarterback for Pocahontas , Baker has amassed numbers that are unheard of . He scored 40 touchdowns on the ground last season . He ran for over 2000 yards . Those numbers are what you ’ d see on a video game and not at the 4A level . With that said , if Northeast Arkansas had a Madden Football game , Connor would be featured on the cover .
I ’ ve had the pleasure of covering a multitude of Baker ’ s games over the last two seasons . Pocahontas had a highly touted team in 2020 when he was a sophomore . Everyone was talking about QB Dawson Chester and two top notch receivers in Michael Martens and CJ Palmer . NEA Sports / Soncom Media went down to broadcast multiple Redskin games that year . Don ’ t get me wrong , there was great reason for the hype because of those three to go along with several other really good players in Pocahontas . Baker was fresh out of junior high , but you could tell he was going to be very special . He had elite speed and became a pivotal part of the offense that year . “ When I was a sophomore the seniors were a good , hard working group that took all of us under their wing ,” explained Baker . “ Dawson Chester was a really good leader for me . When I was a sophomore in the backfield with him , he helped me learn all the plays and helped me love the game even more . He still comes and supports the Redskins every game , and it shows he cares for the team .”
Strictly based on the numbers , last season was a great year for Connor . He made the transition from running back to quarterback . Baker previously had QB experience in junior high . While Baker is mostly known for his speed and legs , he proved to be an effective passer when the time was right . Baker threw for over 600 yards and six touchdowns . While Connor had a great season , the team was knocked out relatively early in the playoffs to Joe T . Robinson . “ Losing