Peach County Hungry for Revenge Against Baldwin

The Peach County Trojans (10-1, 5-0) will host the Baldwin Braves (7-4, 6-2) in our Week 15 Game of the Week

FORT VALLEY, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The 10-1 Peach County Trojans have dominated so far this season as they continue to play complimentary football in all three phases. After losing a close 49-39 game to Perry in Week Two, this Trojans team cannot be tamed. Second year Head Coach Marquis Westbrook and Peach County have rattled off nine straight wins, including a perfect 5-0 region record to earn their 21st region title in program history, the first since 2022 after their 4-7 season last year.

“Well it means a lot. It’s a confidence booster for our kids to win the number of games we won in a pretty tough region, and when you get into the playoffs, you have to scratch all of that” said Coach Westbrook at Wednesday’s practice. “You have to have a different mindset. You start all over again and you’re playing against teams you are not really familiar with and you haven’t seen all year.”

It’s been a complete turnaround in Fort Valley. The Trojans have scored 503 points while allowing just 212 all season. That’s an average of 46 points a game, while they held their opponents to just 19. Not to mention the Trojans put up 48 a game and allowed just 17 against region opponents. The least amount of points put up by Peach County this season was 35, and the Trojans didn’t score less than 44 points in their region games.

Coach Westbrook is pleased with how far this team has come, but knows it’s to be expected, with such a rich history of winning in this Peach County program.

“Our kids know they can play with some of the best kids in the state so, we got a target on our back. So, we have to practice that way and prepare that way to get everybody’s best game. Peach has a deep history in playing in deep playoff games, so people are going to give them their best game. We cant come out here thinking we are just going to roll over people. We got to get ready for it every Friday.”

Not to mention, Trojans Senior Quarterback DJ Hudson has led the charge with 33 passing touchdowns this year, which is a new Peach County single-season record.

“Ever since that Perry loss, we’ve been saying ’14 and one’, which is going to, and winning the state championship” said Hudson Wednesday afternoon. “We took everything a lot more serious. I didn’t want my senior year to be like the seniors’ last year. We’re just ready to go. Whoever steps in front of us, we are ready to beat them to death.”

According to Coach Westbrook, there is no secret to this quick turnaround, and gives all the credit to the hard working kids, and coaching staff, for making this happen. Now, this Trojans team wants revenge. In the first game of the 2023 season, Coach Westbrook started his tenure with a 34-13 loss at home to these same Braves. However, this team has come a long way since that August night, and Peach County is ready for redemption.

Hudson spoke about the game last season. “We had big expectations last year, and for Baldwin to come in here, and put a thrashing on us like they did last year, we still have a bad taste in our mouth, and every since we saw the bracket, we saw that we would probably be able to play them. So, we’ve been ready for this game just to prove that we’re not that same team.”

The Trojans are going to have to keep playing Peach County ball if they want to win their 10th game all-time in this series with Baldwin, as the Trojans look to feed their hunger for payback against the Braves in our Week 15 Game of the Week.

“No one likes the feeling of losing, that’s a bad feeling” said Trojans Sophomore Ace Blunt. “We know what we are trying to do as a team so, we have to put in the work and have that hunger every week. Peach County, us against the world. Peach versus the world.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Trojans Stadium.

Catch live pregame coverage during 41NBC News at 5, 5:30 and 6 p.m. Don’t miss highlights from our Game of the Week, and others, on this Friday’s edition of The End Zone during 41NBC News at 11.