HARLEM —The Harlem Bulldogs began region play 1-0 as the Bulldogs defeated Baldwin 17-14 on Friday, Sept. 13.
After a couple of no-score drives early, Harlem kicker Will Holder converted a 34-yard field goal to put the Bulldogs ahead 3-0 late in the first quarter.
Baldwin drove down inside Harlem territory before the end of the first quarter, but Jayden Futrell prevented the Braves from scoring with an interception in the end zone.
Quarterback Giovanni Arroyo scored the first touchdown of the game on a 4-yard rush, giving the Bulldogs a 10-0 lead.
Baldwin converted a long screen pass to put them back into Harlem territory, but Ronald Oliver intercepted the Braves in the endzone for the Bulldogs pick of the night.
Futrell earned his second interception of the game and the Bulldogs third of the night before the end of the first half. After the interception, Futrell also caught his first touchdown of the night on a 12-yard pass from Harlem quarterback Mercer Barton, giving the Bulldogs a 17-0 going into the second half.
“We made plays in the first half, picked them off three times in the red zone, “said Harlem Head Coach Mark Boiter. “Jayden had big interception return right at the end of the first half and we were able to throw a touchdown pass to him a few plays later.”
Baldwin scored their first touchdown of the night after a 17-yard touchdown pass from Lamar Pounds to wide receiver Kielan Walker. The Braves cut Harlem’s lead to three points after a 8-yard rushing touchdown by Sadur Salahuddin.
Harlem’s offense continued to struggle in the second half as they would be forced to punt again, but Baldwin muffed it and the Bulldogs recovered the ball with 1:30 remaining in the game.
The Braves forced a fumble to earn one more chance with 1:09 remaining in the game, but would come up short offensively and Harlem took home the 17-14 victory.
“That 17-0 lead was important and the message at half time was to finish,” said Coach Boiter. “We didn’t do great on offense in second half but the defense and special teams got the job done and we were able to hold on for the win.”
Harlem (3-0) will travel for their second region game of the season against undefeated West Laurens (4-0) on Friday, September 20. Baldwin (1-3) will also travel next Friday for a region game against Academy of Richmond County (0-3).
Sportswriter Christopher Rickerson, an Augusta University graduate, has covered area sports for Augusta University, The Augusta Press and Augusta Good News. Subscribe to the Augusta Good News newsletter here.
