Braves celebrate the future

Published 1:23 pm Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Kevin Patterson recalled sitting in an office at Camden County High School to sign the papers that would get him into Wake Forest and on the Demon Deacons football team. No speeches.

Flash forward to 2025 as he arranges his first February National Signing Day as the head football coach of Baldwin High School. The little office became the Fine Arts Auditorium with enough seating for the families of four seniors taking that same step into the world of collegiate athletics.

Patterson hopes that in a year’s time this occasion is an even bigger deal with a greater number of Braves players signing the National Letter of Intent. For now, Feb. 5 was about two All-County Player of the Year winners plus two other defensive standouts who decided to join programs in the NAIA and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in NCAA Division II.

In fact, it’s Offensive Player of the Year Lamar Pounds and two-time Defensive Player of the Year Jonquavious “Q” Russell who are going from teammates to rivals in the SIAC. Pounds will play quarterback at Morehouse College in Atlanta. He may look at the opposing defense of Miles College in Birmingham and see Russell lined up anticipating another sack.

From the Baldwin secondary, Brandon Whisby signed with a top-five NAIA team at St. Thomas in Miami Gardens, Florida. He solidified his name in Braves lore by blocking a short field-goal try by West Laurens that ended Baldwin’s first-round playoff win. Before that, Whisby took a kickoff return into the end zone at Thomson Stadium in Macon as Baldwin topped Howard High on Halloween.

LaBrayden Burden, Baldwin’s leader in interceptions with three, signed with The University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky.

“This is a celebration,” said athletic director Dexter Ricks trying to get that audience into the spirit. “Each year, I think this is the highlight of our season athletically. The goal is to raise successful student-athletes. Ultimately, it’s for those student-athletes to put in the work in the classroom if they have the desire and the talent, they go on to play at the next level and earn a free education. These four young men, along with their families, they achieved that goal.”

Ricks also recalled his 10 years with the recreation department and the football association. The seniors of 2025 were the last ones there at the end of those 10 years. So he’s seen them develop since the ages of 5 and 6.

“The next four years are going to be tough. They are going to be fun, but they are going to be tough,” said Ricks. “This is business. Business for the school. Business for you. As long as you take care of your part, they are going to take care of their part. The minute you start slacking, somebody’s going to call you in and say, ‘You know what, I’m not sure this is going to work out.’” Do what you are supposed to do. Hit those books … and work hard.”

“This is a bittersweet moment,” said Patterson. “These young men have been challenged from Day 1. Didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I leaned a lot on these seniors. Probably asked them to do things they weren’t accustomed to doing. You guys are ready. Some of y’all surprised me. I’m happy for them. They handled business in the classroom. All these guys have great (grade-point averages). I thank you guys for setting examples for younger guys. You guys are not just football players … don’t let ‘football player’ define you. I can’t wait to see you guys blossom. I love you guys, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Baldwin football will be better because of y’all.”

For the players, it was about family, coaches and God Almighty.

“I couldn’t do it without y’all,” said Burden. “It was a lot the last four years.”

Burden made his visit to Cumberlands the Saturday before signing day.

“They put it on me,” he said. “It was a great environment … like a family. I think I have a good fit in the system. I’m looking at the strong safety role. I’m more like a covering guy who can play in space.”

Burden made it clear he is not seeking an NFL career, but a degree. He’s looking for a stable job in the field of athletic training.

“I got a lot of people who believe in me,” said Pounds. “Over the time, the four years of my high school career, there were a lot of ups and downs, a lot of camps, a lot of meeting people, applying myself. The Early College program prepared me for a lot. I feel like I’m prepared.”

Morehouse felt like home.

“Talking to the head coach (former Falcons receiver Terance Mathis, who made the offer), that’s a big deal itself,” said Pounds. “Once I got on campus for that visit, we became accommodated real fast. Not too far away. It’s a great place to be academically. I plan to go in and compete for a starting job. If I do get the starting job, I plan to turn the program around and lead them to a conference championship.

“Q” might have something to say about that.

“To my coaches, thank you for your guidance, tough love and tough training,” said Russell. “You taught me not just how to play football, but to be a better man. To my teammates, I couldn’t have done it without y’all. We made memories that will last a lifetime … I realized the true meaning of hard work and dedication.”

And, again, Miles was a place that felt like home.

“I love the atmosphere, the coaches, how they treated my parents. I loved everything about it,” said “Q.” “I got it in my mind I’m going there to handle business. I know where my mind’s set and what goals I’m trying to accomplish.”

A goal is to be All-America, but most importantly to keep God first and be humble, keep that GPA high and, “just ball.”

St. Thomas went 9-2 in 2024 and was seeded fifth in the NAIA playoffs.

“They are a top NAIA school and I believe they do produce talent, and I feel I can develop there and do what former players did at St. Thomas. I feel I can contribute to the Bobcat nation, show them I can be a successful player and show them what Baldwin High School’s about,” said Whisby. He said his big plays on special teams showed how explosive he can be, coming through when needed.