Big Macs battle Baldwin on Senior Night
By Carson Fox, senior
On the brisk, autumn evening Friday of October 21, the C-M football team took the field for its last regular season home game of the season against the Baldwin Highlanders. Unfortunately, due to some mistakes and penalties, the Highlanders ended the Big Macs’ chance at a WPIAL playoff berth with a 29-12 victory.
Coming into the contest, C-M looked even on paper with the Highlanders, who came into the game with an (0-3) conference record. Led by running back, Dorian Brown, who came into the game as the WPIAL’s 18th leading rusher, it was C-M’s own, Kenyadda Brown, who looked to match his counterpart. In the first quarter, it was a fumbled snap to punter Jonah Hladycz, that gave Baldwin life. After a beautiful 45 yard punt on his first attempt, C-M false started, which forced a re-kick. The penalty caused the Big Macs to lose close to 50 yards in field possession, which set up a TD run by Brown.
The offense regrouped in the second quarter and was fueled by runs by Brown, fullback Zack Soyring, Colin Chupinka and Jules Gdovic. Brown sealed the deal with a short yardage touchdown run and the Big Macs were right back in it. They failed the two point conversion attempt and were down only one point at the time. Disaster struck twice in the 2nd quarter, as Hladycz was not able to cleanly catch a high snap from long snapper, Brian Cumpston. But momentum was restored to the Blue and Gold after Brown, fumbled in C-M territory and the Macs recovered. After not being able to create any holes on offense, C-M had to punt yet again. This time, much to the fans’ chagrin, Baldwin took over after what was speculated as a muffed punt. Five plays later, the Highlanders scored another touchdown on the ground and walked into the locker room with a 14-6 lead.
Much of the same smash mouth, power football continued in the second half, as Brown and fullback Dominick Barca, Jr. led the way for Baldwin. Only attempting one pass in the first half, QB Matt Maletta looked to lead his offense in the 4th quarter, gaining some morale for the evening. With time winding down in the 4th and time winding down, Maletta completed a touchdown pass to Cooper Shroeder, cutting into the lead 29-12, which was also the final score. Dorian Brown was fortunate enough to go over 1,000 yards rushing for the season and established himself as one of the elite running backs in the WPIAL.
Much of the same smash mouth, power football continued in the second half, as Brown and fullback Dominick Barca, Jr. led the way for Baldwin. Only attempting one pass in the first half, QB Matt Maletta looked to lead his offense in the 4th quarter, gaining some morale for the evening. With time winding down in the 4th and time winding down, Maletta completed a touchdown pass to Cooper Shroeder, cutting into the lead 29-12, which was also the final score. Dorian Brown was fortunate enough to go over 1,000 yards rushing for the season and established himself as one of the elite running backs in the WPIAL.
Senior fall sport athletes and band members were recognized at half-time as well as before in the game for their accolades during their high school careers. Fans were decked out in pink attire in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and donations were collected at Memorial Stadium. The Big Macs travel to Peters Township next week to take on the Indians in the regular season’s final match up.
