By Josh Ouellette
(Baldwin Park) – Baldwin Park advanced to the second round of the CIF Mid-Valley Division Playoffs with a 38-17 win over Gladstone Friday night.
The Braves, (9-2), came out blaring after the break, shutting the door on the Gladiators playoff hopes. After a tug o’ war type of game in the first half the Braves out-scored Gladstone 24 to 3 in the second half.
From the first drive of the game by G-Stone to the last run of the second quarter by BP, both teams battled and showed their mettle. Both teams brought down the hammer with their hitting on both sides of the ball.
Gladiator running back Joseph Herrera started the scoring with a one-yard rumple into the end zone after he caught a 20-yard pass from Paul Flores to get the ball into the red zone. Herrera scored again on a 12-yard dash to pay dirt later in the half. On the other side of the spectrum Braves’ quarterback Manny Salcedo scored twice as well, one on a 25-yard dart up the middle, the other coming on a nine yard weaving scamper.
Salcedo didn’t just control the ground, but he also managed the game through the air. In BP’s opening drive of the second half he hit his favorite receiver Christian Lazaro from 34 yards out. After that the Brave defense took control as they returned two fourth quarter interceptions for touchdowns sealing Gladstone’s fate.
BP moves on to plays Whittier Christian next week.
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