>> BALDWIN HIGH SCHOOL
Baldwin got a much-needed 42-21 victory over West Laurens on Friday night in Dublin.
The Braves (3-5, 2-2 Region 2-AAA) showed a lot of grit in the contest as they got down by two scores to the Raiders (1-7, 0-4 Region 2-AAAA) early. They erased a 14-point deficit in the first quarter after a costly mistake on the offensive side of the ball.
A Baldwin fumble gave West Laurens some confidence just two minutes into the game. The Raiders marched right down the field, scoring a few plays later on a Dustin Couey TD. His rushing score put them up 7-0 following the made PAT attempt.
West Laurens got into the end zone again later in the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead. However, the Braves responded immediately with a TD of their own, making it a one-score game headed to the second period. The score would remain the same at halftime.
The start of the second half was when the game changed for the better, though.
Baldwin’s Omarion Fraley stepped in front of a screen pass and ran it back 62 yards for a score. His first INT of the season gave the Braves’ sideline a spark as the game was tied after Dyson Sallad’s PAT. That sense of excitement would soon be taken away.
The Raiders retook the lead on the ensuing kickoff. Junior Johnny Williams took the kick and ran it back 90 yards for a score, and West Laurens led 21-14 following the PAT.
The Braves’ resiliency showed again as Armontae Palmer returned the ensuing kickoff deep into Raider territory. A few plays later, junior running back Micah Welch punched it in for six, and the game was tied again following Sallad’s PAT attempt.
The turning point came later on in the third quarter when Baldwin quarterback Lamar Pounds connected with Palmer for a long run-and-score, giving the Braves their first lead, 28-21. They controlled the tempo for the rest of the game and never gave it up.
Baldwin was able to move the ball fluidly in the final quarter of regulation. The offense turned to Welch, who kept his feet churning and reached the end zone a few more times. The highly-touted prospect ended up with four TDs in the region contest.
The Braves handed West Laurens its seventh straight loss of the season. The Braves also kept their playoff hopes alive with the victory over the Raiders. They have two games left against Westside of Macon (5-3, 1-3 Region 2-AAAA) and Griffin (3-6, 3-2 Region 2-AAAA), both of which are important contests in terms of the playoffs.
According to Georgia High School Football Daily newsletter, Baldwin is currently fourth in the Region 2-AAAA standings. The Braves are behind Perry, Spalding and Griffin. They have beaten two of the three teams behind them, being Howard and West Laurens. So, this Friday’s matchup at Westside of Macon is very important.
Still, it appears that this matchup plays into Baldwin’s favor because all three of their wins have been on the road. The Braves haven’t won a game in Braves’ stadium yet. Their final home game of the season is Senior Night on Nov. 4 against Griffin.
Jesse Hicks’ squad seems to have it coming together towards the latter half of the year. They have now won two of their last three games, dating back to mid-September.