Baldwin- Baldwin’s Coach Rob Shields knows the importance of kicking, if he didn’t before, he surely knows now after his new kicker Zach Norris scored the only offensive points for the Baldwin Indians (2-0) against Bradford Tornadoes (1-1), in their 14-6 win to remain undefeated.
Baldwin won the toss and deferred to the second half, Bradford got the ball first and only gained two yards on their first run of the night by junior running back Erric Smith. It was a sign to come as the offenses struggled to move the ball. To counter this, Bradford attempted to air out the ball behind senior quarterback Jackson Smith, both passes were dropped however, and it was a quick three and out.
Baldwin started off their first drive on the ground as well with senior Christian Sanderson doubling as a wide receiver and as a running back. Baldwin went for it early on fourth down in Bradford territory, a handoff to Sanderson went in their favor and gets them a first down. The ball went back and forth between both teams, neither team moving their offense down the field.
The Baldwin defenses played a part in the Bradford offense looking stagnant, as excellent tackles by Baldwin’s Gregory Washington put the pressure on Bradford’s ball carriers. Their efforts produced the only touchdown for the Indians. It came at the two minute mark of the first quarter, after a fumbled snap at the goal line by Bradford that rolled into the endzone and was recovered by Baldwin. The subsequent two-point conversion, a run by senior Xavier McGriff made the score 8-0.
Bradford wasn’t able to respond on offense, and to spark life on offense, Baldwin rotated quarterbacks between McGriff and Sanderson. The combination didn’t work as Bradford’s defense stood strong on the wet field. Bradford’s Tyric Oliver made several tackles for the team, and senior cornerback Aaron Sims intercepted Sanderson with just minutes remaining in the first quarter.
In the start of the second quarter, Baldwin started to move the ball down field, getting inside the 20-yard line. However, penalties took them out of close range. Junior quarterback Bryce Tompkins threw an interception to senior defensive back Walker Crook of Bradford, which squandered a scoring opportunity. Baldwin kept rotating in Tompkins and McGriff trying to generate some offensive production, but Bradford’s defense held strong as freshman Dayviontae Thompson got a sack, while Crook got his second interception of the night to end the half.
The second half kicked off, after a Bradford penalty gave Baldwin better field advantage. Tompkins started this drive and started working a hurry up offense for the Indians. After an amazing catch by Tayveon Sutton gave them new life and a first down, Tompkins threw an interception to Bradford’s Nathaniel Davis where he returned it deep into Bradford territory. Davis got them in scoring position, and this time the Tornadoes were able to finish the job. Davis would catch a touchdown for the score to tie the game, however Bradford was no good on the two-point conversion to and trailed Baldwin 8-6.
Baldwin got the ball back and had an impressive return by Sanderson. Bradford’s Thompson was able to get a big tackle and stop a first down for the Indians. Baldwin elected to punt. Bradford coming off a big hit and stop was able to tip the punt and retrieve it at their 30-yard line. On offense, Smith had a huge run that put the Tornadoes at the goal line. A score was eminent for the Tornadoes until an over the head snap and a penalty took them out of range. The unsuccessful scoring opportunity sealed the fate for Bradford.
Baldwin continued their no huddle offense, maximizing on dump and slant passes gaining a few yards each time. They advanced the ball deep into Bradforsd territory but faced fourth down. Coach Shields had an opportunity to try a field goal earlier in the game and passed it up, but this time his assistant coaches told him to give “the boy a chance”. The boy they were referring to was senior kicker Zach Norris. Shields said he found the young man in the hallway at school, “he didn’t even know how to kick a ball, doesn’t even know how to stand” but the young man tried out.
Norris was good on his first field goal making the score 11-6 in the fourth quarter. Bradford’s next offensive possession saw Smith overthrow his receiver, right into the hands of Baldwin’s senior defensive back Jacoby Mealer. Mealer nearly picked off two passes prior in the game but wouldn’t let this one slip through his hands.
Baldwin elected to try another field goal with their new kicker Norris as he converted on his second of the game with less than three minutes remaining. The Indians now lead 14-6. Bradford knew they had to score quick and on the first throw of their drive, Smith threw it right into the hands of Mealer again which sealed the victory for the Indians.
Baldwin and Bradford will both be on the road next week. Baldwin will travel and play Westside (2-0) and Bradford will go on to play Keystone Heights (2-0).
