Baldwin’s football team faces section rival Bethel Park tonight in a homecoming game with playoff implications.

The team will be without its starting running back, senior Angelo Priore. Seniors Zach Pettit and Jaren Kelly will be filling in.

Even though Priore won’t be playing, the team still needs dominate in the running game. 

“We need to run the ball well,” senior Naseer Penn said. “While of course our offensive approach is important to winning the game, we are looking to play solid defense tonight too.” 

Bethel has already clinched a playoff spot and will be a difficult competitor for the Highlanders.

“Haters are our motivators,” Penn said, referring to doubts anyone might have about tonight’s game.

The 1999 Baldwin football team, meanwhile, will be honored at the game, as they are the last Highlander team to win the conference.

As for this year’s Baldwin team, they are close to becoming the first squad to earn a playoff berth since 2013. A win tonight would underscore the strides made by the program since Coach Loran Cooley was hired three years ago, Athletic Coordinator John Saras said.. 

“This game is a big deal and would show the dramatic improvement of the team,” Saras said. 

Add in the fact that it’s a homecoming game, and there is a lot on the line.

“We all want this win, so we are going to go get it,” Penn said.