Border war: Bethel Park set to host Baldwin
Bethel Park head coach Brian DeLallo has embraced the WPIAL’s football schedules for 2021. The league purposely pitted rival teams against each other before conference action commences.
As a result, the Black Hawks opened with Mt. Lebanon Aug. 27 and will now visit Baldwin at 7 p.m. Sept. 3.
“The rivalry games do a great job of preparing us for conference play,” DeLallo said. “We get to play hard-nosed kids and get coaching staffs.”
After facing Blue Devils head coach Bob Palko, who owns eight WPIAL championship rings, the Black Hawks are primed to play the Highlanders.
The contest has many implications, particularly for the coaching staffs, as bragging rights are on the line.
Baldiwn head coach Tim Sweeney lives in Bethel Park. He is in his second year at the helm at Highlanders program.
Additionally, DeLallo has several nieces, nephews and cousins that graduated from Baldwin. His brother’s daughter is a student there now.
“For me,” DeLallo began, “Baldwin is a great family rivalry. There is some good-natured family ribbing that goes on.”
“The Baldwin rivalry is fun,” he added of the rivalry between two communities that share a border. “These first few games against old South Hills foes are a lot of fun for the kids and communities.”
While DeLallo had the entire preseason to prepare for Lebo and the season opener, he has had only a week to focus on the Highlanders.
“I don’t know a lot about Baldwin schematically just yet,” he said.
DeLallo, though, is aware the contest will be a battle.
“I can guarantee they will have tough, well-coached kids and they will come to play,” he said. “We were beaten the last time we went over there, so we will be ready for a dogfight.”
The outcome, DeLallo predicts, will not come down to how many passes Max Blanc completes or how many rushing yards Troy Volpatti gains. Miscues will determine the winners and the losers.
“In early season games, it often comes down to mistakes,” he said.
“The team that executes best and makes the fewest mistakes will win.”
In other rivalry action, Peters Township travels to Canonsburg Memorial Stadium to battle Canon-McMillan at 7 p.m. Sept. 3.
Adding to the intrigue of the game is the fact that Mike Evans coaches the Big Macs. He is a Peters Township graduate.
The Indians are rebuilding after reaching the WPIAL finals for two straight seasons while the Big Macs have high expectations for 2021, sporting many skilled returning veterans.
All-conference senior running back Ryan Angott leads the Big Mac attack. He rushed for 672 yards and 7 touchdowns last season.
In other action, Chartiers Valley entertains Belle Vernon while South Fayette hosts West Mifflin. Kickoff for both games is 7 p.m. Sept. 3.
With 15 returning starters, BV is expected to dominate the Big Eight Conference and challenge for the WPIAL 4A championship.
Devin Whitlock leads the Leopards. He completed 35 of 76 passes for 528 yards and 6 TDs. He rushed for 1,082 yards and 21 scores on 101 carries.
BV’s also returns two other skilled athletes in sophomore tailback Quinton Martin (425 yards and 8 TDs) and junior wide out Tanner Steeber (14 catches, 132 yards.)
CV matches BV’s punch with Anthony Mackey, Abraham Ibrahim and Laymont Payne.
Last fall, Mackey passed for 1,057 yards and 11 TDs. He also ranked as CV’s second-leading rusher with 556 yards and 7 scores.
A two-way returning starter at wide receiver and safety/outside linebacker, Ibrahim ranked second on the team with 273 yards receiving and five touchdowns. On defense, he managed 45 tackles and led team in sacks.
A 6-1, 174-pound junior, Payne had seven receptions for 90 yards for a 12.9-yard average per catch. As a cornerback, he posted 31 tackles as a sophomore.