#HSFT17: Stop No. 11 – Baldwyn Bearcats

BALDWYN, Miss. (WCBI) — Baldwyn has become the model of consistency for high school football in Mississippi.

The Bearcats have posted double digit win seasons in each of the last 4 years and haven’t missed the playoffs in 17 years.

Baldwyn expects to keep those streaks thanks to an experienced quarterback in John Swinney and star athlete Johndrix Robinson returning.

Having John back, he’s been a starter for 3 years, he threw for 2,000 yards last year and he’s become a really good leader,” head coach Michael Gray said. “We will use him more. We will try to keep him healthy but he does a good job for us and we’re excited to see what he can do.”

“It’s my last year and we have new guys coming in, stepping into new roles,” senior John Swinney said. “We’ll have to see how it all works out. It’s going to be a fun year.”

There is plenty of youth this year as Swinney mentioned.

The Bearcats bid farewell to a 10-man senior class that included top skill players, top tacklers and top blockers. But there is much to look forward to in this year’s young Baldwyn group that is chomping at the bit to prove themselves in the postseason.

“They had a great group last year to look at and how to act,” Swinney said. “See what to do and how we need to work. They’re all seeing what you have to do now to step into that role.”

“We lost a bunch of seniors and a lot of play-makers last year on the team,” senior Zack Richardson said. “We have big shoes to fill. I’m looking forward to the challenge and trying to help my team make a State Championship run.”

It is that State Championship that continues to elude the Bearcats.

Baldwyn has made it to the 2A north half final in 3 of the last 4 years but has come up just short in each of those trips. This year, it’s about making it back and finishing the job.

“We put in the work. You have to get to that game,” Swinney said. “It’s kind of like a monkey on your back. You have to push past it and get ready to go to state. Has to be this year.”

“Coach speak here: You need luck and you have to stay injury free,” coach Gray said. “We’re out here in 7 on 7 today and already played Calhoun City and East Webster like we’re in the fall already. We’ve been in the big game for quite some time and we have to find a way to get over the hump.”

Baldwyn will start the season at home versus New Albany then will turn their attention to their rival in this year’s Skunk Bowl at Booneville.