Football showcase highlights Baldwin athletes

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, June 2, 2018 | 10:00 AM

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It was a showcase offseason football event at Baldwin Stadium.

The 2/10ths High School Football Showcase took place May 26 on a hot, steamy day in the area.

And four Baldwin football players went home with top individual honors.

Among the campers chosen as the top performers at their position were Baldwin's Mason Stahl, Lucas Strayer, Lucas Perfetti and Jaquon Parker.

Stahl, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound sophomore, was honored as the MVP at the quarterback position, while Strayer, a 6-0, 170-pound freshman, was lauded as the MVP at linebacker.

Two juniors, Perfetti (6-0, 275) and Parker (6-0, 235), were named top offensive and defensive linemen, respectively.

“The camp was a great experience for both my teammates and I to be on a very elite stage,” Stahl said, “and to put on display that this year's Highlanders are for real. I am honored to have been named MVP, especially against some great talents, but in no way am I satisfied to just stop there.

“Our team has been working very hard this offseason, and we're excited to show the WPIAL what we're about. Last season, our team was comprised of mostly ninth and 10th graders and for what we had in talent, we lacked in experience. This year is different, way different. Stay tuned.”

The showcase event was held for athletes from the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 classes. Position-specific drills took place, and college coaches were on hand to watch.

Representatives from Central Michigan, Duquesne, Westminster and Cal (Pa.) were in attendance.

The camp's purpose is to assist underclassmen in getting an early jump in their recruiting process, providing players' information and video footage to college football programs.

Other Baldwin gridders who signed up for the camp included C.J. Robbins, Connor Novak, Dorien Ford, Joe Pracel, Justin Schmidt, Maisen Bourquin, Matt Bauman, Michael Cadwallader, Mike Badstibner, Naseer Penn, Noah Bartic, Riley Voelker, R.J. Abbiatici, Robbie Keefe, Shane Pogany, Shayne Henchell and Tyler Gurchak.

“It was a very well-run camp,” said Loran Cooley, the Fighting Highlanders coach, “with a chance for players to get better and compete in front of college coaches.”

Other top performers at the showcase event were running back Mar'Ques Watson-Trent (Blackhawk), wide receiver Dante Cephas (Penn Hills), offensive lineman Austin Shaffer (Eastridge, N.Y.), linebacker Eryk Burgess (Westinghouse), defensive back D'Angelo Stocker (Malvern Prep) and defensive lineman Andre Frenzley (Sto-Rox).

Others listed on the camp roster included Seton LaSalle's Asahn Bey-Davis and Max Schipani, Penn Hills' Aakeem Snell and Austin Jones; along with Darius Barrett (Thomas Jefferson), Bryson Venanzio (Gateway), Christian Tanner (Moon), Karis Saplys (Clarkson Football North Prep), Miguel Jackson (Pine-Richland), Robinson Waddell (Central Catholic), Vinny Sirianni (Peters Township), Brad Birch (Jeannette) and Cade Yacamelli (Penn-Trafford).

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin