The Baldwin football team is leaving the WPIAL to be independent for the next two seasons.
The district is making the change because the Highlanders have not been competitive in 5A, and the lack of players on the team has made player safety an issue, Supt. Dr. Randal Lutz said. The football team has not won in 29 straight games, a streak dating back three seasons.
“When our kids come out there, they’re working hard, and they want to be competitive. But whenever other teams are running out with 50, 60, and 70 kids on a roster, and our kids have to play offense and defense and special teams, you’re playing three times as much football in a game,” Lutz said. “The possibility of injury escalates dramatically, and the potential and the reality of exhaustion increases.”
Throughout the last season, Baldwin had about 25 to 30 players on its roster.
Baldwin will be independent for the next two years. At the next scheduling cycle, the district will decide whether Baldwin should stay independent or rejoin the WPIAL.
The Highlanders are not the first team to drop out of a big WPIAL section. For example, they will join Butler, a former 6A school that has been independent since 2020.
The football team will face new opponents next year. Athletic Director Anthony Cherico said the schedule is being worked on.
“We have six (games) confirmed out of (the usual) 10, and we’ll probably get to eight, maybe nine, so we will have a bye week or two,” Cherico said. The current WPIAL schedule has no bye weeks and 10 games in a season.
Cherico declined to identify the confirmed opponents. Often, though, independent football programs have to travel a longer distance for some games.
Freshman football player John Hampton said he is enthusiastic about playing at the independent level next year.
“I think this is exciting since we get to play against new teams that we haven’t seen yet, and we will be playing teams we can be more competitive with,” Hampton said.
Hampton pointed out some disadvantages, though.
“One of the disadvantages is traveling. We have to go farther than we ever have before, and that not only affects the team, but also the band, cheer team, families, and fans,” Hampton said.
“Another disadvantage is that we cannot participate in the playoffs. Some players feel that it takes away the point of the season since we are not playing to win a championship, but taking the time to develop and grow as a team is just as important as winning,” Hampton said.
Freshman football player Tyler Dayoub said he has mixed feelings.
“I do think it is great for the team, but for me personally it isn’t good at all. It will provide us with a chance to win, but going from an 0-10 season in WPIAL, to maybe winning as an independent team – the wins wouldn’t mean as much as they would if we won in the WPIAL,” Dayoub said.
Dayoub also said he was concerned about his post-high school football plans.
“For me, I am trying to go Division 1 and get college offers, so leaving the WPIAL makes it 10 times harder for me to get seen and noticed,” he said.
Football Head Coach Dana Brown, meanwhile, is expected to stay with the team while they are independent, Lutz said.
“He’s very interested, and he’s very supportive of it, and the team has begun all their offseason workouts,” Lutz said. “Coach Brown’s committed to the process, so I look forward to what happens with him and his staff.”
The cheerleaders and band will be able to go to the away games, even if it means earlier Friday departure times to get there, Lutz said.
“It’s going to be challenging for the transportation department, since we’re going to be competing for buses to get our football team, cheerleaders, and the band out to these schools at the same time when elementary kids are still coming home from school,” Lutz said.
Junior cheerleader Madison Mazzie said that overall, it is a positive change.
“I’m excited for the football team because it helps them increase and improve their chance of winning. I’m sad about the travel hours, but I think it will be a fun experience for everyone,” Mazzie said.
Sophomore band member Landon Dine agreed with Mazzie.
“I am excited for our team, but the potential travel distances I am not excited about,” Dine said.
Dine said more competitive games could improve the band’s overall energy and attitude.
“How the team plays will not affect how we perform, but our energy as a whole will definitely improve,” Dine said.
