Baldwin football looks to build off victory over Chartiers Valley

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, October 6, 2018 | 10:36 PM

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Baldwin wrapped up its first month of the Allegheny 8 Conference season with a rousing 21-14 win at home over Chartiers Valley (3-3, 0-3).

The Highlanders (4-2, 2-2) rallied throughout the contest, tying the score at 7-7 and 14-14 before securing the decision midway through the fourth quarter.

“I thought defensively we played great,” coach Loran Cooley said. “We had a few guys battling some injuries and other guys stepped up.”

A 75-yard run by junior quarterback Mason Stahl provided the Fighting Highlanders with the winning touchdown with 6 minutes, 36 seconds remaining.

Stahl also tossed 31- and 16-yard touchdown passes to junior Jarren Kelly, who accounted for 200 all-purpose yards, including 101 receiving.

Stahl completed 13 of 24 passes for 151 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed for a team-high 99 yards and a score.

Kelly finished with seven receptions and was complemented by junior Naseer Penn, who nabbed four passes for 27 yards. Sophomore Connor Lavelle (1-21) and junior running back Angelo Priore (1-2) also had receptions.

Defensively, Baldwin was led in tackles by senior lineman Noah Bartic (eight), Kelly (seven), sophomore lineman Dorien Ford (seven) and senior lineman Jaqwon Parker (six). Lavelle, junior lineman Matt Bauman, junior linebacker Zach Pettit, senior defensive back Dre Howell and sophomore defensive back C.J. Robbins also contributed.

“(Pettit) is the quarterback of our defense, and does an amazing job of making our calls and checks,” Cooley said. “Zach had a great week of practice, which carried over.”

Bartic and Parker led an effort that combined for seven tackles for loss. Robbins had an interception. Bartic and Lavelle recovered fumbles. Parker forced a fumble.

“Jaqwon is having a great year,” Cooley said. “He was voted one of our team captains. He worked extremely hard in the offseason, and it’s showing.”

Through Sept. 28, Parker had 12 tackles for losses totaling 47 yards and two sacks.

Pettit is a 5-foot-11, 205-pound two-way dynamo.

“We’re a close-knit group that continues to work hard and tries to get better every day,” Pettit said. “CV was a tough team, but we were able to push through and overcome. We think of every game as if it is a playoff game.

“We are more than just a team but a family. We want to continue to get better, and the sky’s the limit.”

The 6-foot, 260-pound Parker has been a catalyst from his defensive end position.

“I feel like my season is going really good, and all my hard work is paying off,” Parker said. “I feel like we did a great job holding (CV) on defense, and our offense did a great job moving the ball downfield.

“Coach Cooley is doing a great job keeping us conditioned so we are ready for all four quarters.”

Other leading tacklers this season include Bauman, Lavelle, Kelly, Ford, senior lineman Elyon Phiri, Bartic, Penn, senior linebacker Tyler Gurchak and Robbins.

Robbins (three), Kelly, Penn and Gurchak all had interceptions.

Offensively, Stahl hit on 50 of 111 passes for 907 yards, 13 touchdowns and 8 interceptions through six games. He averages 151.2 yards passing.

The Highlanders pass-catchers this season consist of Kelly (17-451), Penn (14-196), Howell (8-163), Lavelle (6-74), Pettit (3-5), senior tight end Connor Sidoruk, senior wide receiver Cam Dougherty and Priore.

Kelly was averaging a team-leading 26.5 yards per catch. Howell’s average stood at 20.4.

Priore (64-466), Stahl (55-304) and Pettit (29-117) have combined for 885 yards on 149 carries on the ground, with Priore averaging 7.3 yards per carry.

“It can be tough playing two physical positions on both sides of the ball,” Pettit said, “but I enjoy the challenge and want to do everything I can to support my team.”

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

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