experience and youth
among them is junior linebacker Gavin Davis
who was the team’s Defensive Player of the Year
and an All-County selection last season. It’s
because of a unit filled with guys like Bullard
and Davis that Hicks thinks his defense will be a
force to be reckoned with in 2020.
One of the team’s bigger losses beyond the two
running backs is four-year kicker Lucas Webb, a
multiple region Special Teams Player of the Year
honoree.
“I’m going to petition GHSA right now to
see if I can get Lucas to come back,” Hicks said
jokingly.
The Baldwin head coach has found some good
candidates to take over the kicking duties and is
looking at innovative ways to take advantage of
his team’s speed in the punting game.
Looking at the schedule for this year, Baldwin
is in a new region after the GHSA conducted its
regular realignment. Gone are the Augusta-area
schools fans have grown accustomed to seeing
in recent years as the Braves are now set to compete
as part of the Macon-centric Region 4-4A.
Region records among Howard, Perry, Rutland,
Spalding, Westside of Macon and West Laurens
will determine who makes it into the state playoffs
and seeding.
“I’m excited about it because of the proximity,”
said Hicks. “Our region is one that is going
to have great competition and keep us ready and
sharp for the playoffs. Some of those teams are
going to match up pretty good for us skill-wise,
so it’ll be a good challenge.”
Highlights from the non-region slate include
a season opener against Washington County, a
continuation of the Baldwin-Burke County rivalry,
and a visit from 5A Ware County. That Burke
County game looks to be Baldwin’s longest road
trip of the regular season.
Hicks believes that his 2020 roster filled with
experience, with a little youth mixed in, could
lead to a fun season for the Braves faithful to
enjoy.
“I’ve got upperclassmen that are ready
to play, young guys who got thrown into the
fire and proved themselves last year, and I
got a group of young guys that are hungry,”
he said. “I think this 2020 Baldwin team is
one of the most talent-rich I’ve ever had, and
barring any injury — we’re always praying
on that — and we keep them safe from this
COVID situation, I think we’re a competitive
team that’s ready to contend for a state
championship.”
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Football Preview 2020 11