Jacksonville Fl- The Baldwin Flag football team is doing something we haven’t seen in over a decade, and that’s play for a district title. The Indians defeated Bishop Snyder 7-0 in a close and highly contested District 1-2A semifinal matchup Tuesday night, to advance to the District Championship.
The reason it was close is due in part to the familiarity of each team. This was the second time in three weeks that the two teams played on another, with Bishop Snyder coming out on top 6-0 on April 3rd. Just 12 days later, the two teams faced off and the game was scoreless for three and a half quarters.
Both teams struggled to find a rhythm and both head coaches elected to play conservatively and punt on 4th downs instead of pushing the envelope in hopes of scoring. Waiting for a mistake, it would be Baldwin to capitalize one a crucial one made by Snyder.
Tied 0-0 late in the fourth quarter Breianna Stephens would grab an interception deep into Bishop Snyder territory. The play flipped field position with just 2 minutes left in the contest. Although the Indians did not score on the drive, it backed the Cardinals up to their won one yard line.
Baldwin would force a punt and need just 40 yards to score. Freshman quarterback Halle Bennie found senior Leighley Cooper on quick passes to drive down the field. A freshman who was supremely focused, Bennie was ready for the challenge, stepping up big for her team in a win or go home scenario.
Bennie would also use her legs to advance the ball even closer to a score for Baldwin as the clock ticked down closer to zeros. However, overtime would not be needed in this contest. Bennie would hit Leighley again in the corner of the endzone for a Baldwin touchdown, giving the Indians a 6-0 lead late in the fourth quarter.
Bennie tossed a 2-point conversion to junior Skylair Asberry on the PAT as Baldwin led 7-0. Said Bennie “I felt very proud and I had confidence in my team that we could come out with the win”.
All hope for Snyder was snuffed out within seconds of their ensuing drives, as Baldwin grabbed two more interceptions to end the game. Said head coach Lance Smith of Baldwin, “we didn’t play our best game against them last time, so I told the team if we play our game and take care of our business we’d be fine”.
Coach Smith and his staff were able guide the team to a 6-8 record with one of the hardest schedules in Northeast Florida. All while losing two of their best players in starting quarterback senior Charlotte Minnon and starting linebacker Memphis Perkins. The two have been instrumental this year to the success of the team.
Yet the team rallied around each other, and plays from freshmen like Breianna Stephens and company were the difference of the day. Said Stephens after the win, “we went over everything in practice, it’s just execution, look at the ball and make the play”.
