Baldwin Braves to make first trip to Cairo Friday

The Region 1-AAAA first round match up is set for this Friday night as the Cairo Syrupmakers are ready to host the Baldwin Braves at Wayne Tootle Field at West Thomas Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Baldwin and Cairo have met once before, in 2009 in the second round of the state playoffs. Cairo won that game, 9-7 on the road in Milledgeville.
Cairo won Region 1-AAAA and the Braves placed fourth in Region 3-AAAA after losing last week to Cross Creek 14-13 in a heartbreaker. The Braves come into Friday night’s game with a 4-6 record overall, with loses to Washington County, Griffin, Evans, Thomson, Burke and Cross Creek. Baldwin has wins over Hancock Central, Wilkinson County, Richmond Academy and Hephzibah.
The Braves return 9 starters from a team that finished 4-6 last year as well. Primarily a running team, the Braves are pretty solid across the offensive line with returners Willie Williams and Jacolby Davis. However, the Braves look for their defense to help keep them in the game with sophomore sensation Donta Justice, Christian Henry, Milton Adams and Keldrick Bell.
The Braves are averaging just over 2 touchdowns a game, while giving up about 23 points a contest, while the Syrupmakers are scoring just over 32 points a game on average, while giving up a little less than 14 points a game.
The game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Friday night at West Thomas Stadium. All tickets are $8 and can be purchased at Cairo High School beginning Wednesday until 2:45 each day or at the gate Friday night.
The game will be broadcast “live” on WGRA 790AM or on the Internet at www.wgra.net.