The football mid-season is here, and most Baldwin teams have seen their fair share of ups and downs.

One team, however, has been up all season long: The Fairhope Pirates.

The Pirates (4-0, 3-0) are the only Baldwin team to receive an “A” grade in our mid season report card. Fairhope, under the direction of first-year head coach David Faulkner, has dominated each team it has played in 2009. Fairhope is averaging over 35 points per game, and its defense is giving up 11.75 points per game, which is a winning formula. The Pirates have been led by super senior running back Jamal Woodyard, who has scored 13 rushing touchdowns in four games.

The Spanish Fort Toros (3-1, 2-1) receive a “B” in 5A, Region 1. The Toros have played well in all but one game, a loss to St. Paul’s in the third week of the season.

Bayside Academy (2-2, 1-2) also receives a “B” grade. The Admirals have played well in all four games, including a near-miss against T.R. Miller that would have been the biggest upset in school history. Bayside has rolled up the rushing numbers, including 348 yards as a team in Friday’s win over Straughn.

Four teams receive “C” grades. Foley (2-2, 2-1) lost the opener to a great Murphy team, then lost again to Fairhope in the third week. The first loss was close, the second was a blowout. Foley’s only wins came over Robertsdale (0-4) and Baldwin County (2-2), two of the bottom teams in 6A, Region 2.

Gulf Shores (2-2, 1-2) also receives a “C.” The Dolphins are energized behind new head coach Mark Freeman, but they still lost to 5A, Region 1’s top teams in Vigor and Spanish Fort.

Baldwin County (2-2, 1-2) gets a “C.” At 2-2 overall, the Tigers could possibly pull off a six win season if they win their winnable games to end the year.

Daphne (1-3) gets a “D,” while Robertsdale gets an “F.” Daphne started the season with a loss to a really tough Davidson team, went on the road and lost at Pace, Fla. Neither of those losses are bad, but losing to a struggling McGill-Toolen team is.

Robertsdale (0-4) gets an “F” because the Bears are the only Baldwin team without a win. The senior-laden team has struggled with injuries and hasn’t been able to muster much offense in 2009.

Reach Eric Mann by e-mail at emann@gulfcoastnewspapers.com