The Baldwin High School varsity football team earned a spot in the GHSA AAAA state playoffs Friday with a 45-6 win over North Clayton.

It was the second straight year where the two teams met in the region playoffs and the second straight year Baldwin dominated.

The Braves started the scoring early, punching it in with 8:25 left on the clock. The score came on a 15-yard pass from Wayne Williams to Arsenio Glenn, capping off a 59-yard drive.

The BHS special teams unit extended the lead on North Clayton’s next possession. The Eagles lined up to punt the ball away on fourth down, but the snap went over the center’s head. Marcus Cabiness chased the ball into the end zone and fell on it, giving the Braves a 14-0 lead.

But Baldwin wasn’t done yet. Williams and Glenn connected again on BHS’ next possession, and Glenn raced 52 yards for the 21-0 advantage. Then running back Jerico Ford got into the action, scoring on a 5-yard touchdown run to make it 28-0.

Nick Hooks scored the final BHS touchdown of the half, catching a pass from Williams from four yards out to extend the lead to 35-0.

Baldwin’s offense sputtered a bit in the third quarter, failing to score a point, but the Braves padded their lead in the fourth. Yavor Gavanorov made it 38-0 with a 35-yard field go with 11:07 on the clock, and Courtney Ingram returned a fumble for a touchdown for the 45-0 advantage.

North Clayton’s only score of the night came with 4:46 left on a touchdown pass from eight yards out. The extra point was no good, giving Baldwin the win and a playoff berth.

The Braves, coached by Jesse Hicks, will be back in action Nov. 16 for the first round of the GHSA State Playoffs. An opponent has not been announced.

Sports Editor Ross Couch can be reached at (478) 453-1465 or sports@unionrecorder.com