Baldwin looks to bounce back after tough loss to West Allegheny

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, October 9, 2018 | 4:39 PM

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Baldwin’s explosive “big play” offense was in high gear Oct. 5 against the visiting West Allegheny football team, particularly in the game’s second half.

The Fighting Highlanders lost a gut-wrenching 29-26 homecoming decision to the Indians to drop to 2-3 in the Class 5A Allegheny Eight Conference and 4-3 overall.

Fourth-ranked West Allegheny improved to 5-1 in both the conference and overall with its third consecutive win.

It actually was a spectacular defensive play that provided a spark to the Baldwin offense.

C.J. Robbins, a sophomore defensive back, picked off a WA sideline pass and bolted untouched on a 75-yard touchdown return with 22.5 seconds remaining in the first half.

It was Robbins’ fourth interception of the season and third returned for a score.

After halftime, Baldwin senior wideout Dre Howell reeled in 24- and 67-yard touchdown passes from junior quarterback Mason Stahl, who later scored on a 2-yard run midway through the fourth quarter.

Howell’s first TD was set up by a brilliant 63-yard dash by junior running back Angelo Priore. On his second score, Howell made a one-handed grab before corralling Stahl’s long toss down the middle of the field.

Stahl’s short burst into the end zone capped a six-play, 78-yard scoring drive, highlighted by a 54-yard reception by junior wide receiver Jarren Kelly.

Stahl hit on 12 of 17 passes for 223 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on the season, going 62 for 128 for 1,130 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Kelly (21-530), senior WR Naseer Penn (16-209) and Howell (12-269) lead the team with 49 catches for 1,008 yards between them through seven contests, an average of 20.6 yards per reception.

Priore rushed for a team-high 568 yards and four touchdowns on 82 carries.

West Allegheny was led against Baldwin by senior RB Dante Flati (18-118) and junior QB Kam Kruze (16-104), who combined for 222 yards and two scores on the ground.

Kruze also connected on 11 of 15 passes for 132 yards, with one TD and one interception. Senior TE Mateo Vandamia had five catches totaling 23 yards.

And senior kicking specialist John McArdle booted field goals of 20 and 29 yards for the Indians.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Robbins was one of several catalysts on defense for the Fighting Highlanders.

Junior linebackers Zach Pettit and Matt Bauman paced the team in tackles with 11 and 10, and were complemented by Kelly, Robbins and sophomore DB Connor Lavelle.

WA was sparked by seniors Logan Malatak and Logan Scheider and sophomore Nico Flati (one interception) in the defensive secondary.

Malatak blocked and recovered a Baldwin punt to set up Kruze’s game-winning 39-yard touchdown toss to senior WR Drevon Baldwin with just 49 seconds to go.

With the victory, West Allegheny maintained first place in the conference ahead of Upper St. Clair, Peters Township and Bethel Park, who were tied for second with 3-1 records.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin