Syrupmakers rout Braves in playoff opener

Published 12:08 am Saturday, November 12, 2016

CAIRO — Cairo’s postseason began much like the regular season ended — with a blowout victory.

Hosting Baldwin in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs at West Thomas Stadium, the Syrupmakers scored 24 first-quarter points and cruised past the Baldwin Braves 43-2.

The win propels the Syrupmakers into the second round where they will host Sandy Creek next Friday night.

The victory is Cairo’s ninth straight, having won each by an average of 20 points. Steve Devoursney’s Syrupmakers are clicking at just the right time.

“The kids came ready to play. We had good practices all week,” Devoursney said.

Friday night’s playoff opener was over almost as quickly as it began. Cairo opened with a 54-yard kickoff return that set up its opening series at the Baldwin 24-yard line. Three runs for 22 yards by Jamarcus Vicks set the Syrupmakers up at the 1-yard line. On fourth down, Walter Grant plunged into the end zone around the left side for a 7-0 lead.

After a quick touchdown toss on Cairo’s next possession from John Michael Owens to Austin Shattles that gave the Syrupmakers a 15-0 lead, the Braves’ special teams led to the Syrupmakers’ next score. Forced to punt at their own 34, the Braves muffed the snap and their punter failed to corral it. A couple of Cairo defenders failed to recover as well, and the ball sailed back into the end zone for a 34-yard loss and a safety for the Syrupmakers.

Vicks added a 5-yard touchdown and the Syrupmakers ended the opening quarter with a 24-0 advantage.

Baldwin, a team that won just four games in the regular season, never threatened to cut into Cairo’s lead. The Braves were held to 87 yards of offense, though much of that yardage came with the reserves in the game late in the fourth quarter. The Braves threw a pair of interceptions, including a costly one to Cairo’s D.J. Donaldson in Baldwin’s territory in the second quarter. The turnover led to Cairo’s Cole Phillips’ second field goal, a 27-yarder that gave the Syrupmakers a commanding 30-0 lead.

“Baldwin lost its quarterback a couple of weeks ago. They’ve been struggling a little bit offensively,” Devoursney said. “It was a good night to be a Syrupmaker. Thank God where we’re at now.”

Phillips booted four field goals for Cairo, including a 55-yarder right before halftime on a free kick.

Owens finished with 72 passing yards and one touchdown. Vicks rushed for 44 yards on 10 attempts and one touchdown.