Braves get first win of season

>> BALDWIN HIGH SCHOOL

  • Micah Welch (4) stiff arms a Putnam defender in the loss to the War Eagles earlier this month. He ran for 215 yards on 29 rush attempts with two TDs against Washington County this past Friday. ARELLA CASH/Staff
    Micah Welch (4) stiff arms a Putnam defender in the loss to the War Eagles earlier this month. He ran for 215 yards on 29 rush attempts with two TDs against Washington County this past Friday. ARELLA CASH/Staff
  • Braves’ cornerback Clamarius Burney (4) forces Putnam running back Tamarion Peters out-ofbounds in a game earlier this season. The senior Baldwin defensive back had two INTs against the Golden Hawks on Friday. ARELLA CASH/Staff
    Braves’ cornerback Clamarius Burney (4) forces Putnam running back Tamarion Peters out-ofbounds in a game earlier this season. The senior Baldwin defensive back had two INTs against the Golden Hawks on Friday. ARELLA CASH/Staff

    Baldwin (1-3) finally got in the win column after defeating Washington County (0-4) in a thriller on Friday.

    The Braves left the House of Pain with a 35-28 victory over the Golden Hawks.

    Baldwin went through the gauntlet through the first three weeks of the year. However, the losses to Peach County, Putnam County and Ware County didn’t seem to phase Jesse Hicks’squad on Friday as they finished out the non-region portion of their schedule on a strong note.

    The Braves jumped out to a two-TD advantage behind their offensive attack. Armontae Palmer completed his only pass of the game, which was a 28-yard completion to Deiondre Parks. That connection put Baldwin up 7-0 after the PAT from kicker Dyson Sallad.

    Junior running back Micah Welch scored the Braves’ second TD. The four-star prospect took a direct snap 37 yards into the end zone, giving Baldwin an early 14-0 lead with the XP.

    Baldwin’s defense shined as senior cornerback Clamarius Burney had two first-half INTs. The Braves led by eight points late in the second quarter when backup quarterback Lamar Pounds hit Palmer in the end zone for a touchdown. They led 21-6 at the half.

    Hicks’ defense tried to contain Washington County quarterback Morgan Jones all night.

    The Golden Hawks were without running back Dontavius Braswell, who is currently committed to South Carolina. Instead, it was Jones who led them in rushing with 58 yards and a score. He also completed 12-of-23 pass attempts for 192 yards, one TD and two INTs.

    Welch got his second rushing TD of the night in the second half. The 5-foot-7, 200-pound running back had a team-high 215 yards on 29 rush attempts with two scores.

    Parks also had a productive game on the ground, rushing for 56 yards on four carries with a TD. His only catch was a TD from Palmer in the first half, which got things started.

    Baldwin heads into this Friday with a bye. The Braves will begin Region 2-AAAA competition against the Spalding Jaguars (2-2) at home on Friday, Sept. 23 in Braves Stadium.