The Baldwin High School football team has made it to the GHSA State Playoffs six years in a row, but after a disappointing first-round exit to Lagrange High School last year, the Braves return for the 2022 season looking for redemption.
Head coach Jesse Hicks believes the consistency the Braves have been building all summer will lead to a more successful season.
“They have to be here. They have to be accountable and responsible towards this team” Hicks said. “The way you do that is to show up, and I’m really happy with the way the guys showed up this summer.
“We practiced about four times a week, got a padded camp in and threw [the football] every Tuesday and Thursday, so we got work in. The thing now is, ‘how will it transition into the season?’” Baldwin began that transition Aug. 5, by hosting a scrimmage against the Tattnall County Warriors. The Braves played most of their first-string guys in the first half of the contest, then rotated many other players in during the second half of the game. It turned out to be an evenfought battle on both sides of the ball and gave players an opportunity to hit someone other than their teammates like they have been all summer.
After graduating 18 seniors last season, Hicks stressed the importance of having experienced players step up in the locker room.
“With older kids, you know it’s about leadership, and to be honest, we’ve had some pretty good leadership from our seniors,” he said.
“Especially guys like Jermon Simmons, who’s a three-time, All-Region and All-State defensive tackle, and Nasir Robinson, who had to have ACL surgery last year but is back and doing an awesome job. Guys like Omarion Fraley, Casey Solomon and Eli Cleveland, they add to our group [too].”
Hicks has coached long enough to be able to judge talent and know leadership when he sees it.
This will be his 21st year as a high-school head coach in Georgia and his 14th season at Baldwin.
Hicks has led the Baldwin program to three region championships, finished as high as state semifinalist back in 2005, and posted a losing record only once throughout his tenure with the Braves.
His many years of coaching has also helped him identify younger players that can contribute to the squad.
“One of the guys I know that’s going to make an impact offensively is Armontae Palmer. He’s a dynamic kid, and he’s fast and quick,” Hicks said.
“Deiondre Parks is another one we’re expecting big things from, and one of the biggest bright spots has been Nick Gillian, who was playing safety and defensive back for us and then came over to wide receiver, which has really gotten him in the mix.”
Hicks added that he hopes having multiple offensive weapons will allow Baldwin to make a deeper playoff run this year.
The Braves averaged 26.5 points per game last season, which is almost a touchdown more than what the team averaged the year before, so they hope to continue to build off that progress.
It won’t be easy, however, given the team’s schedule.
Baldwin opens against Peach County Aug. 19, and will then face Putnam County, Ware County and Washington County before they get into region play where they’ll face competitive programs like Perry and West Laurens.
Hicks acknowledged the schedule’s rigor but insisted it will help his team down the stretch.
“We’re going to be playing playoff ball in September. That means we’re going to play top-tier programs,” Hicks said. “Not only will it bring crowds to the gate, but it will give our kids great competition so that once you do get into region play, and you get into the playoffs, you understand what exactly is going on when you get a full stadium and can see what’s at stake.”
The Braves know what’s at stake this season and are trying to win their first region title since 2018. They moved from Region 4-AAAA to Region 2-AAAA, with Griffin replacing Rutland as the only new team in the area.
Baldwin will have a gauntlet to run through over the course of their schedule, but above all else, Hicks wants his team to learn what it’s like to perform as a family.
“I really want them to understand the true meaning of brotherhood and just being there for somebody else,” he said. “This is a team sport, and everybody fits.
“And when you don’t fit, whether that’s academically, socially, or in football, you have gaps, and when you have gaps, people score. When you have gaps, guys don’t graduate, or things happen in the community. What we want to do is have a brotherhood so tight that there are no gaps.”