Baldwin’s Kelly scores in all 3 phases during in Week 1 victory

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, September 6, 2018 | 11:03 AM

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Baldwin junior WR/DB Jarren Kelly scored three touchdowns three different ways in his team’s rousing 58-13 nonconference Week 1 win against visiting Butler.

Kelly opened the game with a brilliant 93-yard kickoff return, tacked on a 40-yard TD reception midway through the first quarter, and added a 36-yard interception return early in the second stanza.

Kelly finished with 234 all-purpose yards (40 receiving, 93 kickoff return, 65 punt return, 36 interception return).

“Jarren played great on special teams, offense and defense,” coach Loran Cooley said. “He had a touchdown in all three phases of the game. He is one of the most explosive players on our team and you have to account for him.

“He is an unselfish player that worked extremely hard this offseason. His hard work is paying off, and I was very happy for him to have a game like that. That’s what I love about this team. They have bought into what we are trying to do and playing for each other.”

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Kelly, who also competes on the boys track and field team at Baldwin, owns blazing 4.45 speed in the 40.

“Our performance (against Butler) speaks for itself,” Kelly said, “but we’re still not satisfied as we have bigger goals on the horizon.

“There are no individual achievements on this team; if one of us is successful it is because all of us laid the groundwork to be so.”

Angelo Priore, a junior running back, also scored on 55- and 47-yard runs — on his only two rushing attempts — while junior placekicker Emma Brandwene booted six PATs.

Tyler Gurchak (48-yard interception), Naseer Penn (73-yard reception), C.J. Robbins (36-yard interception) and Jackson Brandwene (one field goal, one PAT kick) rounded out the the Fighting Highlanders’ scoring.

Baldwin junior QB Mason Stahl completed 4 of 7 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns for the Fighting Highlanders, who amassed all 58 points in the first half (including 34 in the first quarter).

The team’s defense was sparked by junior linebackers Robbie Keefe (8 tackles; 7 solo) and Zach Pettit (7 tackles; 5 solo), who combined for 15 tackles; along with Matt Bauman, Connor Lavelle, Luke Loeffert, Dorien Ford, Kelly, Gurchak and Robbins.

“I thought it was a great team win,” Cooley said. “We played well on offense, defense and specials teams. Our offensive and defensive lines have played lights out.

“It was a great effort by the team and our coaching staff.”

The Fighting Highlanders’ starting defensive unit allowed only seven points and less than 100 yards per game in the first two contests this year. Baldwin recorded three defensive touchdowns and five turnovers against Butler.

“Our defensive coordinator, Darrin Walls, is doing an amazing job putting us in great position defensively,” Cooley said. “Offensively, we are becoming more efficient and we showed some glimpse of how explosive we are when (an opponent) gives us man-to-man coverage.”

It is the first time since 2003 the Fighting Highlanders have started out 2-0. That also is the last winning season in football at Baldwin.

The Fighting Highlanders kick off conference play Sept. 7 at home against another 2-0 team in Upper St. Clair, which is ranked fourth in Class 5A.

The Panthers defeated South Fayette, 34-33, in Week Zero, and opened their Allegheny Eight Conference schedule with a 16-14 win against Peters Township in Week 1.

“USC is a team that is always well-prepared,” Kelly said, “and has earned the respect of being a top-tier team.”

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin