MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Forget the regular season, because it is for all intents and purposes playoff time for the 4-4 Baldwin Braves (1-2 region).

The journey to the actual state playoffs continues this week when BHS hits the road to take on Hephzibah High School (4-4 overall, 1-2 region). Thomson and Burke County sit atop Region 3-AAAA, and the region champion will most likely be decided Friday night when the Bulldogs travel to Waynesboro. The remainder of the region is a logjam after the first two spots, but will be cleared up in the coming weeks. Baldwin, Richmond Academy and Hephzibah all have the same overall and region records so the fight for third will come down to the wire, though a Braves win this week would be huge. The third seed still has to travel in the opening round of playoffs, but to a No. 2 seed rather than a region champion.

“Our goal is always the postseason, a region championship is the standard, but making the playoffs means it’s a new season for us,” said BHS coach Jesse Hicks on working toward the playoffs. “So any spot that gives us and opportunity for the state playoffs is great.”

Last time out the Braves lost on the road to the Burke County Bears, but gave them a fight few teams had this season. Baldwin pulled within one score just after halftime, but Burke’s persistent ground game helped the team pull out a three-score win.

Hicks said his players have the normal bumps and bruises that most athletes experience across the state at this point in the season, but defensive end Aaron Kelsey (foot injury) is the only one who may have to sit out this week. Baldwin would like to have Kelsey, of course, as the team works to secure a playoff spot. The next step toward doing so is this week’s matchup against the Rebels of Hephzibah who have defeated Cross Creek, but lost to Thomson and Richmond Academy in region play. 

Hicks said Hephzibah runs a 3-3 stack on a defense that has good size and good skill players. Offensively the Rebels operate a spread attack and will often give the ball to Rayquan Riley, a junior who leads what Hicks called “a heck of a running attack.” Riley has amassed 832 rushing yards and is just under 1,000 yards from scrimmage this season. He leads the team with 10 touchdowns and averages just over 100 yards rushing per game. 

The Baldwin head coach said getting the important win Friday night comes down to his team believing in one another and playing together.

“The keys to us winning is a stronger belief in each other,” said Hicks. “This season is a process, and we have to fight each Friday night, no matter who the opponent maybe. It’s never about our opponent, it’s about us as a team in all three phases of football.”

The Braves and Rebels are scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday from Hephzibah.