Baldwin-Whitehall Fighting Highlanders Prepping For New Era

BALDWIN, PA - In the scorching summer sun, the seeds of a new era of Baldwin-Whitehall football are being planted. New head coach Loran Cooley will attempt to lead the Fighting Highlanders to their first winning season in 14 years.

Cooley succeeds Pete Wagner, who resigned in January. Wagner compiled a 10-27 record in four years at the Highlanders’ helm.

Cooley, a Pennsylvania state trooper, has his work cut out for him. The Highlanders finished 2-7 last year and play in the rugged Allegheny Nine Conference in Class 5A, along with Woodland Hills, West Allegheny, Upper St. Clair, North Hills, Fox Chapel, Moon, Hampton and Chartiers Valley. West Allegheny won the WPIAL Class 5A championship last year.

The Highlanders currently are in the middle of summer conditioning drills in preparation for fall camp that begins Aug. 14.

The Highlanders 2017 schedule:

• Sept. 1: Woodland Hills, 7 p.m

• Sept. 8: Hampton, 7 p.m.

• Sept. 15: at Upper St. Clair, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 22: at West Allegheny, 7 p.m.

• Sept. 29: North Hills, 7 p.m.

• Oct. 6: Connellsville, 7 p.m.

• Oct. 13: at Fox Chapel, 7 p.m.

• Oct. 20: at Moon, 7 p.m.

• Oct. 27: Chartiers Valley, 7 p.m.

Logo via Baldwin-Whitehall School District.