Not only did the Baldwin Braves win their first road game of the season last Friday in Augusta; they picked up a huge region victory over the Aquinas Fightin’ Irish. It also marked backto- back victories and the Braves’ third win in their last four games.
The 19-7 result improved the Braves’ record to 3-3 overall and 3-1 in region play, tying them in second place within the region, trailing only Westside (Augusta), and West Laurens, with both now 4-1 in region play.
Baldwin was aggressive Friday night, running a fake punt on a 4th-and-8 on the Irish 40-yard line in the first quarter, but coming up short and turning the ball over.
Regardless, in the middle of the second quarter, the Braves were again driving. With a scoreless ballgame at that point, Sadur Salahuddin broke free for a 55-yard run to the endzone, giving Baldwin a 6-0 lead after a failed two-point conversion.
The score remained 6-0 at halftime.
Aquinas threatened to score on its second offensive possession of the third quarter; however, the Irish ball carrier fumbled the ball, leading to a Baldwin recovery on its two-yard line. The ensuing drive went nowhere, though, leading to a Baldwin punt.
Meanwhile, Baldwin’s Quintavious Russell and Gavin Jarrett made key defensive plays to keep the Irish offense from finding any rhythm.
At the start of the fourth quarter, after some successful plays made by LJ Pounds and Jaylen King, Salahuddin received a direct snap from the wildcat position and ran the ball from nine yards out for Baldwin’s second touchdown.
Josh Rhodes followed up with a successful kick for the extra point, giving Baldwin a 13-0 lead and some breathing room. Russell and Brandon Whisby also came up big on defense, sacking the Irish quarterback to force a turnover on downs.
But Baldwin struggled on offense and was forced to punt back to Aquinas, which then drove 69 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown pass to cut Baldwin’s lead to 13-7 after the extra point. A failed Irish onside kick attempt followed, and the Braves got the ball back.
Baldwin began a latequarter drive that ended with an eight-yard rushing score from Salahuddin, his third of the night for the Braves to reach the 19-7 final score.
The win meant the Braves arrived home in Milledgeville with a .500 record for the first time all season and momentum heading into this Friday’s matchup versus the 6-1 Westside (Augusta) Patriots. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Braves Field.