Braves lose critical region game in Macon; JMA rolls on Log Cabin Road

Baldwin – 20
Westside-Macon – 41

The Braves gave up 28 points in the fourth quarter on Friday night over at the Ed Defore Sports Complex in Macon.

Baldwin has only missed the state playoffs once in the last 20 years, which was back in 2015, but Friday night's pivotal region loss now leaves the Braves one step closer to being left at home this postseason. 

Here's a breakdown:

Perry defeated Spalding on Friday night 40-7 in the regular-season finale for both teams. This means that Perry wins the GHSA Region 2-AAAA title for the second straight year, while Spalding finishes second in the region.

The battle for the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds, however, gets pretty fuzzy. Griffin currently is the No. 3 seed with a 3-2 region mark. After that, however, there are three teams with matching 2-3 region records, all fighting for the fourth and final playoff spot – Baldwin, Westside and Howard.

Next Friday night's region slate to determine the final two seeds in Region 5 is Baldwin vs.Griffin, as well as Westside at Howard. In order to make the playoffs, first and foremost, Baldwin must beat Griffin at Braves Stadium. The good news is that this isn't your father or older brother's Griffin program. Once one of the top programs in the state, the Bears have struggled during the past two years, and back in September they lost a really embarrassing game to crosstown rival Spalding 32-0.

The Braves, aside from winning next Friday night against Griffin, also need Howard to beat Westside-Macon. If both of those things can happen, the Braves most likely will make the playoffs, based on the "points differential" tiebreaker.

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Mt. de Sales – 7
John Milledge – 54

Friday night was another cakewalk on Log Cabin Road, with the Trojans actually recording more first downs in the first half, 13, than the Cavaliers had total yards, 12.

Senior quarterback Briggs Eady was on fire, throwing three touchdown passes in the first quarter, as JMA held a four-touchdown lead after the first 12 minutes of action.

Freshman running back Carsyn Baker certainly appears to the be the next big thing for the Trojans, on Friday night rushing for 171 yards and two scores. Baker is now averaging more than 10 yards per carry as a ninth grader. Baker was a standout running back last year at Oak Hill Middle School.

Friday night's final score, 54-7, was a mere one missed extra point extra point from duplicating JMA's score from last Friday night, 55-7. In three games this season against "old Macon schools," it's JMA 130 points and "the old Macon schools" 21.

The fourth and final "old Macon school" is Tattnall, which JMA will play next Friday in the regular-season finale over in north Macon. The district championship will be on the line, as well as plenty of bragging rights.