Defense shines in Baldwin’s 1st victory

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 13, 2017 | 11:00 PM

Yes, it was a big win for the Baldwin football team.

And, yes, it marked the first win for Loran Cooley as a head football coach.

But Cooley and his staff undoubtedly were hoping Baldwin's 49-0 homecoming victory Oct. 6 against Connellsville would provide a springboard to more even success.

It was indeed a rousing nonconference victory for the Fighting Highlanders, who led 42-0 at halftime.

It was Baldwin's highest point total since a 49-7 win against Canon-McMillan in Week 8 in 2013.

It also was the Fighting Highlanders' first shutout since Week 7 of the 2004 season, also against Connellsville.

Offensively, Baldwin (1-5) was sparked by running back Angelo Priore, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound sophomore who rambled for a career-high 115 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries.

Priore, the team's leading rusher on the year, averaged 12.8 yards per carry against the Falcons.

“I think we played good,” Priore said. “We are really starting to understand what we are capable of when we play as a team and do what we are coached to do.

“We have a very young, talented team, and we have a very good coaching staff. I see a lot of great things in the future for Baldwin football.”

The Fighting Highlanders amassed 350 yards in total offense, including 274 yards on the ground.

Priore's 53-yard touchdown run near the end of the first quarter propelled Baldwin to a 14-0 lead.

Senior tight end Aaron Novak also nabbed a 26-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Mason Stahl in the second stanza. Novak and senior receiver Nick Lachut finished with two receptions apiece.

Isaiah Felix, a junior running back, tacked on a 9-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, and senior kicking specialist Jake Monroe was true on all seven of his PAT attempts.

Felix finished with 87 yards rushing on nine carries, good for a 9.2 average.

Defensively, freshman defensive back Connor Lavelle scored on a 30-yard fumble recovery following a Baldwin sack, and sophomore linebacker Zach Pettit scored on a blocked punt by C.J. Robbins, one of 19 freshman team members.

Juniors Connor Sidoruk (DB) and Aaron Exler (DB), sophomore Tekoah Henry-Tolliver (LB), Novak (LB) and Felix (DB) led Baldwin in tackles, and were complemented by senior Jeremy Jenkins (DB), juniors Noah Bartic (NT) and Elyon Phili (DE), and sophomores Naseer Penn (DB) and Matt Bauman (LB).

“Our team's performance against Connellsville was one to remember,” Jenkins said. “It was great to actually feel excitement throughout the whole thing. Everyone was on the same page and playing as one like we knew we're capable of.

“Our expectations (now) are the same from the start of the season — playing together, playing on a high level and playing for a whole 48 minutes no matter what the outcome is. We all believe in each other, and we built a bond that can't be broken. It's an amazing feeling having a team like this one. I am blessed to be a part of it. Our record does hurt a lot, but our team is bigger than just about winning games. It's about creating a bond that no one can break; it's about performing together, and always having each other's back.”

Sidoruk racked up three tackles for losses, as the home team finished with 13 tackles for losses totaling 53 yards.

Exler and Penn had interception, and Sidoruk, Lavelle and Bartic recorded one sack apiece. Lavelle also broke up two passes.

The Fighting Highlanders held the visitors to only 79 total offensive yards, including just 20 rushing yards.

On the season, Bauman and Jenkins lead the team in tackles, followed by sophomore DB Jarren Kelly, Penn and Henry-Tolliver.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin