Baker is ‘feeling his way’ but figuring it out…
Phillip Baer, Jr., is exactly what Central High in Louisville always seems to have in abundance. Baker is a fantastic athlete pressed into duty at the QB slot because he quietly gives his team what it needs from a player at that post; athleticism, talent, and enough game-play to keep the Yellow Jackets in the game with almost anybody in 3A. Central plays all comers. Though 5-7 in 2025, the Yellow Jackets played Manual (6A), Butler (Lou., 5A), Belfry (3A), Bullitt East (6A), Covington Catholic (3A), Christian Academy-Louisville (3A, four-time consecutive KHSAA champs), Mayfield (2A royalty), Bardstown (3A), and Lexington Catholic (3A). Central will be taking the field without Marvin Dantzler this coming Fall. They will need all hands on deck, and that will definitely include Mr. Baker.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
Big Ass Fans from Lexington, Kentucky has a simple corporate goal. The company is “creating a more comfortable world,” one fan at a time.
The logo is the rear of a donkey (Fanny) swishing its tail back and forth. The trademarked logo is among Kentucky’s more celebrated and well known corporate identities across the commonwealth and has come to represent commitment to quality, cutting-edge innovation, and product reliability.
Big Ass Fans is so much more than just a gigantic fan. It is gigantic quality, gigantic performance, and a gigantic commitment to reliability and innovation. Its size is far from the only selling point about our product. Our product is a Kentucky Comfort Creator…and, these days, isn’t that exactly what Kentucky needs?
This week’s Kentucky Comfort Creator is Central High’s Phillip Baker, Jr. Baker is a ’27 kid playing QB at Central but capable of filling lots of slots next level for a variety of college teams at different levels.
Baker is headed to the Best of the Midwest Combine in Indianapolis, IN. We can’t wait to see him compete there and see what it does for his next-level prospects!
“Fanny” is among Kentucky’s more celebrated and well known corporate logos…
Friday Night Fletch, “KPGFootball”
Louisville, KY: Central High is among the toughest customers a team can draw from the pantheon of KHSAA high schools fielding football teams. The Yellow Jackets have been known to play all comers, no matter how big or small.
Central has won plenty of titles. The Yellow Jackets have won Kentucky (or even national titles) under William Keane, Ty Scroggins, and Marvin Dantzler all of whom we have before featured in our “Slow Motion Series” published last summer.
Central wins with toughness. Central wins with discipline. Central wins with great coaching and tradition. Central wins with talent.
An embodiment of all of the above is ’27’s Phillip Baker, Jr. Baker lacks flash and pizzaz but he is long on performance, athleticism, toughness, and steady execution. Baker returns for his senior year in ’26 and the Yellow Jackets would like to see him continue to improve along the same trajectory as he has been improving thus far.
Baker has the frame and athleticism to plug in lots of places next level
Friday Night Fletch
In ’25, as a junior, Baker threw for a thousand yards (on the dot) and seven TDs. Baker threw 11-picks and that is a number on which he needs to improve for his team to do likewise.
Baker has the frame and athleticism to plug in lots of places next level. Baker is 6’0,” 185-pounds, with a 4.0-GPA. Colleges will love his classroom performance.
We see Baker getting immediate, next level action as a return specialist and perhaps, ultimately, as a slot in college. We could also see him at safety or even a corner with his length and ball skills.
It will be critical for Baker to get to the Best of the Midwest Combine and post some impressive numbers. His speed and quicks will go a long way toward establishing his “level” collegiately. Baker is the kind of competitor who could start one place and both move and thrive at another.
For now, Baker will be focusing on his QB play. That is where he is immediately needed. That is where he can impact Central’s games most effectively.
We are excited about what he gets done this coming final Fall. We are sure the Jacket fans are too.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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