Baldwin to take on Westside amid region logjam

Published 9:00 am Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Currently, in Region 4-AAA football, there are five teams battling for four GHSA tournament positions, those five teams all with one loss. The next two to three weeks should see a lot of changes in that, and for Baldwin High School’s part the Braves, with a 3-1 region record, take on the 4-1 Westside High Patriots of Augusta for Homecoming night at Braves Stadium.

Westside-Augusta was among the ranks of the unbeaten at 6-0 before taking on Harlem High at home last weekend. The Bulldogs ended the Patriots’ perfection in a convincing fashion 24-0, and Harlem is also one of those one-loss 4-AAA clubs at 3-1 that defeated Baldwin 17-14 back on Sept. 13.

Did we learn, though, the truth about Westside? What did the Braves coaching staff see in studying their upcoming opponent?

“It was one of those games where Harlem outplayed them,” said Baldwin head coach Kevin Patterson. “Harlem was coming off a loss (to Aquinas) and just executed better. They were fired up.

“So I’m thinking Westside’s going to be fired up coming in here having an undefeated record until last week. We are going to try to not beat ourselves again. We have to come to play. They have a talented football team, great athletes, big. We have to come out fast.”

Two names really stand out with the Westside offense. MaxPreps stats show that running back Jean Kamga has 11 touchdowns in seven games with 869 yards on 91 carries. The Patriot quarterback is Jaylen Stone, and he has four touchdown passes to five interceptions with 660 yards through the air.

Among the Patriots’ wins, the one with the most ‘quality’ would be topping Aquinas 21-16. Other wins include 25-12 over Richmond Academy and 34-14 over Hephzibah.

“They definitely want to run the ball,” said Patterson. “They are about 70% run. We want to try to take away what they do best. (Kamga’s) a big back, strong. We have to do a good job tackling because he is thick. We have to wrap up and gang tackle. Up front they have some big bodies. We hope the overall pursuit of our defense will wear them down over the course of the game. They are bigger than us, so we will have to have our big boys ready.

“They have some receivers who can blow the top off of it. The quarterback’s athletic. That’s not their first option, but they have athletic guys on the perimeter who, if they do what they’re supposed to do, can make us look bad. They have a lot of two-way players at the skill positions. Our plan is to play our style of football.”

Patterson would also like to make the Westside offensive stars sit back and watch how the Braves execute long drives, getting the football to receivers on the perimeter, block on the perimeter and take Patriot defenders out of the ‘box’ and open up bigger running lanes.

“Try to wear those skill guys out who have to play both ways,” said Patterson.

Baldwin is coming off a big 19-7 win over Aquinas in what was the first road win of 2024. Aquinas did not score until the fourth quarter when the Braves led 13-0. Baldwin immediately answered having to only cover half the field when the home Irish did not execute an onside kickoff. It only took four plays for Sadur Salahuddin to score this third rushing touchdown of the night.

“We’re having good practices,” said Patterson. “We’re starting to play the right way. We are starting to see what we can do if we play the right way and don’t beat ourselves. It was a fun victory (at Aquinas) to go on the road and get it. Not having to pull teeth at practice as much. The kids are seeing what we’re doing is working. We are going to put our head down and just work.

“I believe defense wins championships. If they can’t score, they can’t win. From here on out we’re going to try to limit them, keep them out of the end zone. We are taking pride in (defense), trying to get the ‘goose egg.’”

Salahuddin, along with quarterback Lamar Pounds, is getting in the end zone a lot.

“He’s having a great year,” said Patterson. “Exactly what I expected of him. He’s an even better person. He puts in the time. Respectable kid. Good character kid. He’s getting everything he deserves. The sky’s the limit for him if he continues to work.”

Patterson on Monday was uncertain of the status of center Jace Powell, injured at Aquinas.

Baldwin-Westside will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Friday. For an early football fix, today (Oct. 23) at 4:30 p.m. at Braves Stadium Baldwin’s flag football team will take on Howard High of Macon.