Braves get immediate rematch with WL to start playoffs

Published 8:41 am Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Crazy. That worn-out word of description.

Crazy catastrophic weather caused a crazy change to some high school football schedules, like three games in a 10-day span. Some of those games ended in a crazy manner, like the deciding touchdown scored in the closing minutes. And, with the new format for setting the playoffs in certain classifications, you are seeing a region rival in the opening round in your home stadium, a rival that beat you during the regular season … at home … during that crazy 10-day span.

Yes, the Baldwin High Braves will see the West Laurens Raiders again at Braves Stadium 10 days after losing to the Raiders at home 28-14. But despite that loss, Baldwin still managed to finish in a three-way tie (6-2) in Region 4-AAA with West Laurens and Westside-Augusta when the regular season ended Saturday. The proverbial chips of the tiebreaker after head-to-head fell in Baldwin’s favor to finish as region runner-up.

And since the Georgia High School Association is using a new power ranking system for Class AAA sports, Baldwin’s region was not paired with a specific region for the first round. The Braves instead were seeded No. 14 and paired with the No. 19 seed to start the tournament Friday. That No. 19 seed, West Laurens.

“It was something kind of unexpected,” said Baldwin first-year head coach Kevin Patterson, who saw his team achieve a major goal of getting a playoff game at home. “But at the same time, we are looking forward to the opportunity. We know each other pretty well. Last time they caught us on a short week. We had some injuries; I think we are a little healthier this time. They know what they are going to get out of us; we know what we are going to get out of them. We accept the challenge.”

The chips, by the way, were a better point differential in the region games, especially Baldwin’s 42-21 win over Westside.

West Laurens has not played since that Nov. 5 trip to Milledgeville. The Raiders’ ‘bye’ week was to be Sept. 20 when Baldwin was to play at Richmond Academy. But what the tropical system Helene did to those communities forced games on those days in 4-AAA to be played this past Saturday. So Patterson and his staff didn’t have to acquire film on any unknown opponent but could concentrate on what happened Election night.

Again, Baldwin-WL was supposed to be Sept. 13, but the actions of Helene forced a move to Nov. 5.

“We are going to get busy,” said Patterson. “I don’t know who has the advantage. The team that’s going to be the most physical and protect the ball has a high chance of winning this game. I thought they were more physical than us. Our kids know about it. Our coaches know about it.”

The Braves know they must look for No. 3, Ty Cummings, a sophomore who took several direct snaps for 28 carries, 171 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

“He’s very dangerous,” said Patterson. “We will know where he is at all times. I think we have a good game plan. Just execute.”

It always helps to supplement Cummings’ type of attack, and West Laurens did that on Nov. 5 with 93 passing yards from Cason Pollock. He completed six passes with one touchdown.

“We respect him. Does a good job throwing the ball,” said Patterson. “I don’t think that’s the biggest part of their offense. We expect them to be wildcat and put the ball in No. 3’s hands, and we are going to try to take him away. Some of the stuff they had success on the last game, we have to make sure they don’t do it this time.”

Injuries are a common part of football, but they can be magnified in the unprecedented situation Baldwin was in beginning Halloween night in Macon. Patterson said there are some ankle issues they need to watch in some key offensive players. He said the task is to be creative in keeping players fresh.

“We have a great trainer on staff, and that’s helped,” he said. “Getting kids ice baths, doing the rehab to keep them fresh.”

On Saturday, Baldwin got more than it could ask for from Richmond Academy in Augusta, ARC a team that was not going to make the postseason. Kaiden Gibson’s touchdown run late in the fourth quarter was the game-winner, 28-23 Braves.

Whereas Cummings racked up yards on the ground, the Musketeers got 256 passing yards from sophomore quarterback Andrew Barton. ARC, however, only netted 17 yards rushing.

Baldwin took an early 7-0 lead only to see the Musketeers score 15 in a row with a safety involved and two passing touchdowns to end the first half.

Charlie Warren opened the second half with a rushing touchdown, and Josh Fields’ PAT kick narrowed ARC’s lead to 15-14. The home team had a drive inside the Braves’ 20-yard-line, but failed to score. Warren broke off another big run to get in the Musketeer ‘red zone.’ Big senior tackle Jonquavious ‘Q’ Russell, one more time, got a carry from the backfield and scored a three-yard touchdown.

Baldwin led 21-15 from the PAT kick and took it into the final quarter. They stopped ARC on its ensuing series, but had to punt as well early in the fourth quarter. That began a crazy period of football as the hosts returned the punt 68 yards to the end zone. That tied the game, but a two-point conversion had ARC back in front 23-21.

The Musketeers weren’t done putting a scare into the Braves as they took over possession on a punt and drove once again deep into Baldwin ground. However, they missed a field-goal try. That meant the Braves had the length of the field to drive in about three minutes.

They got to the 17, and that’s where Gibson took the handoff to score. Though ARC got good field position after the kickoff, a couple of sacks – Charvez Driskell and Derek Scott – took care of that.

“It was a great effort, both teams,” said Patterson. “They didn’t make it easy on us. The good thing is we found a way to make plays when we had to. When the offense had to make plays in the fourth quarter, they did. When the defense had to get a stop in the fourth, they did it. We had some adversity, we could have laid down, but we found a way to get the adjustments in, play physical.”

Now, Patterson wants to see full stands, home stands that is, Friday. There’s no election to wonder about, no out-of-the-ordinary game day or kickoff (7:30 p.m.).

“No excuses,” he said. “We want to pack the house. I was a little embarrassed last game to be frank. Their crowd was louder. From what I understand, we haven’t had a home playoff game since 2018. I think the team deserves it. We need the community support … being loud for us. Get us through those tough times. It does something for the kids, makes them play harder. Let’s have a big time football game here.”