BALDWIN – Imagine being in the huddle every play and trying to figure out who is going to get the ball the next play or the next play after that.
That’s the problem Baldwin offensive coordinator BJ Ruis faces every game and every practice, its also the problem opposing defensive coordinators hate.
Try to stop any part of Baldwin offense and they will just pick you apart one-by-one. That’s what happens when you have so many weapons to choose from.
Case in point Friday night as the Indians hammered Union County 42-14 at Earl Fouraker Field to improve to 5-0 on the season.
Senior quarterback Gavin Screws, a Troy commit, picked apart the Tigers defense finishing 16 of 27 for 243 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
After the Indians defense forced a quick five and out on the opening drive, Screws didn’t waste anytime on offense hitting Richie Coffey in stride across the middle on the Indians first play from scrimmage for a 41 yard strike and 7-0 lead.
Defensive back Aaren Sims was a beast on defense on the opening drive making two tackles and breaking up a pass on three consecutive plays to force the Tigers to punt. It was just a sign of things to come for Sims and the Indians defense on the night.
Xavier McGriff made four catches for 84 yards and one score tonight. @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/ROJAwIWErg
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) September 22, 2018
Screws connected with Xavier McGriff for a 21 gain on the next drive and Carl Nesmith for a 9 yard completion to move the Indians inside the 35-yard line.
Several plays later on the same drive, Screws connected with Coffey again for an apparent 15 yard strike but officials called it back for holding. Two plays later, Screws found McGriff in the back of the end zone for a 22 yard score and 14-0 lead late in the first quarter.
Union County wouldn’t go away though as Hosea Robinson raced 28 yards to cut the lead to 14-7 with 6:33 left in the second quarter.
The momentum was short lived though as tailback AJ Mealer raced 51 yards on the ensuing play to increase the lead to 21-7 second later.
Again, the Tigers answered as Hosea Robinson rumbled 18 yards down the right side cutting the lead to 21-14 with 4:50 left in the first half.
Screws hit Coffey on a simple screen pass and Coffey behind a host of blockers went down the left sideline untouched for a 51 yard touchdowns completion increasing the lead to 28-14 with 3:40 left till half.
Richie @904LaRich hauled in four catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns in win. @DuvalSports @indianbaldwinfb pic.twitter.com/8fnB68SDCP
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) September 22, 2018
As the third quarter began, the Indians picked up where they left off scoring at will, as the Indians scored on their opening drive as Mealer ran up the middle 4 yards for a score increasing the lead to 35-14 with 9:42 left in the quarter.
The defense got into the fun as well as Tyler Tolliver picked off a pass near midfield with 9:26 left in the game setting up the Indians in great field position.
However, after Screws hit McGriff on a 30 yard tip ball completion doo each other on the handoff nwn to the 4-yard line, the Indians turned it over near the goal line as Mealer and Screws ran into each other nullifying a potential scoring drive.
Aaren Sims had a pick six and also made several big plays on defense tonight. @aaren1sims pic.twitter.com/HcuXszPFa8
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) September 22, 2018
The Indians got it right back though as Kristian Johnson deflected a Martin Odum pass, which then landed into the hands of Sims, who returned it 35 yards for a score giving Baldwin a 42-14 lead with less than three minutes left in the game.
Baldwin (5-0) travels to West Nassau (5-0) this week in the biggest game of the season for both as both are one of six remaining undefeated teams in the area; while Union County (3-2) host nemesis Newberry this Friday.
