The Baldwin High School varsity football team saw its season come to an end Friday, falling to Fayette County 21-16 in the first round of the GHSA State Playoffs.

The first quarter was slow for both squads, as neither team managed to dent the scoreboard.

To start the second quarter, Baldwin fumbled on the Tiger 34-yard line and Fayette County recovered. The Tiger quarterback turned the corner on the ensuing drive, racing down the sideline 78 yards for the 7-0 lead.

But the Braves answered. Wayne Williams connected with Dean Taylor for a 55-yard gain to down inside the Fayette 10-yard line. Jerico Ford did the rest, breaking into the end zone from five yards out to knot the game at seven.

After forcing Fayette County to punt, Baldwin took its first and only lead of the game. Ford did the damage once more, plowing into the end zone from 23 yards out. Yavor Gavaranov missed the extra point, however, giving BHS the 13-7 advantage.

The Tigers answered back on its next possession. The Fayette quarterback connected with a receiver for a 40-yard gain down inside the 20, and a 17-yard pass was caught in the end zone for the 14-13 lead at the half.

After the break, the Tigers picked up where they left off, scoring on a 36-yard pass to make it 21-13. Baldwin’s offense failed to score and punted, but the Braves recovered a fumble to get the ball back. Ford led a drive down inside the Tiger 5-yard line, where Gavaranov converted a 22-yard field goal to make it 21-16.

The Braves had a chance to take the lead late in the game. On fourth-and-14, Williams scrambled for 21 yards and a first down. He then moved the chains again on a 12-yard run, taking BHS down inside the 10. On first-and-goal, however, Williams threw an interception in the end zone, giving Fayette the ball on the 20 with less than two minutes left in the game.

The Tigers kneeled on the ball twice, ran out the clock and clinched the win.

Baldwin finishes the season with a 9-2 record.

The Union-Recorder sports department can be reached at (478) 453-1465 or sports@unionrecorder.com