Bullard, Davis ready to lead defense again
By GIL POUND
Seven starters are back for the Braves
defense in 2020, and two of those seven are
among the best in the state at what they do.
Senior defensive back Javon Bullard has
wowed colleges with what he can do on the
field and in the classroom. He is on track to
graduate high school in December and has
a big decision ahead of him as he has more
than 20 colleges that have offered
him scholarships. Perhaps
most impressive is the fact
that he has garnered all that
attention after missing a
good chunk of his junior
campaign. Bullard had
an ankle injury that
kept him out much
of last year, but that
did not stop him from
being named First Team
All-Region 3-4A after
totaling 50 tackles, one interception,
three pass breakups
and one forced fumble in 2019.
He’ll try to repeat that All-Region
feat this season as he and the Braves
are set to take on a new slate of region
competitors.
Looking at ’20, Bullard has been selected
as a preseason All-State honoree by Recruit
Georgia, a website that tracks players’ collegiate
offers. Although defense is where his
money will be made, Bullard will be helping
Baldwin in all facets of the game. The team
has worked on a “Wild Brave” formation
with the show-stopping senior taking some
snaps. He had some big gains as a receiver
a season ago and also lent a hand on special
teams.
Joining Bullard in earning some preseason
clout is junior BHS linebacker Gavin Davis.
A little lanky as a sophomore, Davis looks
more the part of an elite linebacker coming
into this season. Anyone wondering if he
has what it takes to be great at his position
needs only look at his helmet after a game.
What started as a well-polished piece of protective
equipment would turn into a collage
of scratches and scrapes, showing that the
young man is not afraid to stick his head
anywhere. In 2019 he totaled 80 tackles,
one sack and a forced fumble, and together
it was all good enough to make his case as a
First Team All-Region defensive player as
well as an All-County honoree. Davis was
also the only underclassman to earn a team
Most Valuable Player award following the
2019 season as he was named Baldwin’s
Defensive MVP. The overall team, offensive
and special teams MVPs went to seniors.
A one-time Union-Recorder Athlete of
the Week last year, Davis has also been
tagged by Recruit Georgia as a preseason
All-State selection heading into this year,
though, his comes on an honorable mention
basis.
He was one of
the youngest guys on
the Braves’ defense
last season,
so he did
his leading
more by
example.
Now that he’s a junior,
head coach Jesse Hicks is
looking to Davis, as well
as the senior Bullard, to
lead the Baldwin defense
to a successful campaign
in 2020.
Baldwin High School 2020 Football Schedule
***All games 7:30 p.m. ***
Good Luck
Braves!
12 Football Preview 2020
September 4 Washington Co. Home 7:30PM
September 11 Burke Co. Away 7:30PM
September 18 Ware Co. Home 7:30PM
September 25 Southwest-Macon (Homecoming) Home 7:30PM
October 2
OFF
October 9 Westside Macon* Home 7:30PM
October 16 Rutland* Away 7:30PM
October 23 West Laurens* Home 7:30PM
October 18 Howard* Away 7:30PM
November 6 Spalding* Home 7:30PM
November 13
OFF
November 20 Perry* Away 7:30PM
Baldwin High School
155 Hwy. 49 West • Milledgeville, GA • 478 453-6429
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