Pennsylvania high school football team asks for running clock in last five games

A Pennsylvania high school football team is pleading with future opponents to take it easy on them.

According to a Post-Gazette report on Wednesday afternoon, Baldwin (Pa.) athletic director Tony Cherico has sent emails to athletic directors of the Fighting Highlanders’ last five opponents regarding playing games under the use of running clocks. Cherico also added in the emails sent out, per the report, that opposing teams use junior varsity players sooner rather than later in the games.

“I am not sandbagging anyone for a win here,” Cherico said in the email per the report. “You will win with your JV getting significant time.”

Baldwin’s remaining five games are against South Fayette Twp, Bethel Park, Moon Area, Peters Township and Upper Saint Clair. Under PIAA and WPIAL rules, a running clock can only be initiated once a team is up by 35 or more points in the second half of play.

The Fighting Highlanders have struggled mightily the last couple of seasons as the program is in the midst of a current 24-game losing streak and are off to a 0-5 start this fall. Baldwin has been out-scored 277-32, though playing in one of the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL).

The closest game Baldwin has played this season was on Aug. 29, a 48-14 loss to Fox Chapel Area.

The report went on to state that Cherico spoke with the Post-Gazette on Tuesday regarding the decision to request running clocks and opposing JV players playing earlier in the next five scheduled contests.

“We’re obviously struggling with injuries and other things,” Cherico said to the Post-Gazette. “We don’t want to put the kids in harm’s way. The kids’ safety is the reason this decision was made. It wasn’t made lightly. With the competitive nature of our coaches and kids, this is tough to swallow. We only have five seniors. We want to make sure kids get through the season healthy and ready to come back next year.”

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