No longer under the radar, Baldwin football enjoying fast start

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, September 17, 2018 | 8:03 PM

One month into the high school football season, Baldwin is one of the surprise teams in the WPIAL.

Baldwin won three of its first four games and is ranked as one of the leading offensive teams in Western Pennsylvania.

The Fighting Highlanders have outscored the opposition 161-90, and averaged an impressive 40.3 ppg.

The early-season success wasn’t a surprise to anyone in and around the Baldwin football program.

But the Fighting Highlanders remained focused on continued improvement, game by game.

“We still haven’t played a complete 48 minutes yet, but we are continually working and continuing to get better,” coach Loran Cooley said.

Baldwin rallied past Moon, 48-42, in overtime to improve to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play. The Fighting Highlanders trailed 35-22 at halftime, and 42-22 early in the third quarter.

“It was a great atmosphere,” Cooley said. “We knew Moon was going to be a tough one. They are very well-coached, and it was a must-win game for both teams in this great conference. We made a ton of mistakes in the first half and they played very well and capitalized on our mistakes. Their quarterback was extremely athletic and hurt us the first half.

“We made a few adjustments and felt very confident throughout the game. Again, we prepare and preach 48 minutes and our kids bought in. So when we went down by 20, no one panicked and we stuck to the game plan. We had a few injuries and guys cramping. We had a next-man-up mentality and stuck to the game plan.”

Two players enjoyed career-best performances for the Fighting Highlanders.

Junior quarterback Mason Stahl hit on 13 of 29 passes for 326 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for 55 yards and one score on nine carries to account for 381 yards in total offense.

Stahl emphasized the team’s performance.

“There are no individual achievements on this team, only contributions that bring us collectively to where we want to be,” Stahl said. “It takes all of us, and with that said, I couldn’t be prouder of my brothers. We fought hard but most importantly we fought together.”

Jarren Kelly, a junior WR/DB, finished with 397 all-purpose yards. He had six receptions for 227 yards and two TDs, five kickoff returns totaling 119 yards, three punt returns for 48 yards, and tacked on a 3-yard run from scrimmage.

Similar to Stahl, Kelly promoted a “family atmosphere” within the team’s framework.

“It was a great night, but bigger goals are on the horizon,” Kelly said. “I’m proud of my brothers because everyone on our squad fought hard and fought together.

“I’m just honored to share the field with and be a part of this family.”

On the season, Stahl and teammate Angelo Priore, a junior running back, are among the WPIAL’s leading passers and rushers, respectively.

Stahl has completed 31 of 69 passes for 691 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 172.8 yards passing per game.

Priore has rushed for 413 yards and four touchdowns on just 44 carries, averaging 103.2 yards per game and 9.4 yards per carry.

The Fighting Highlanders’ receiving corps is led by junior WR/DB Naseer Penn, with nine catches for 153 yards and three scores; Kelly (8-319) and senior WR/DB Dre Howell (8-163). The trio had accounted for 25 receptions, 635 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Junior RB/LB Zach Pettit (3-5), sophomore WR/LB Connor Lavelle (2-35), senior TE/LB Connor Sidoruk (1-16) and senior WR/DB Cam Dougherty (1-5) round out the team’s potent list of pass-catchers.

Against Moon, Stahl tossed touchdown passes to Kelly (77, 56 yards), Howell (6, 45 yards) and Penn (25 yards), with Penn hauling in the game-winner in overtime.

Priore also scored on a 76-yard dash, while Stahl added a 15-yard TD scamper.

Defensively, the team’s catalysts have included Pettit, Kelly, Lavelle, senior linemen Jaqwon Parker, Elyon Phiri and Noah Bartic, junior LB Matt Bauman, sophomore lineman Dorien Ford and senior LB Tyler Gurchak.

Parker was credited with 10 tackles for losses and two sacks on the season.

Other leading contributors included Penn, junior Robbie Keefe (LB), and sophomores Maisen Bourquin (DL) and C.J. Robbins (DB).

Robbins (2-68), Gurchak (1-48), Kelly (1-36) and Penn (1-32) all had interceptions.

After three home games, Baldwin traveled to Moon for its first away game of the season.

“I’m extremely proud of my boys, this amazing coaching staff, and the huge fan support we had at this game,” Cooley said.

The Fighting Highlanders held a 125-49 first-half scoring edge over its opponents through four contests.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin