Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Baldwin freshman Layne Sloan and slew of his teammates cheer on one of the many big plays for the Bulldogs during the team’s 54-6 victory over Hiawatha on Sept. 4 at Liston Stadium in Baldwin.
Baldwin rolled to a 54-6 victory over Hiawatha. In head coach Jeff Melcher’s 2nd year at the helm, the Bulldogs have once again opened up the season with a blowout victory. Before this 2-year stretch, the program had not won a season opener since winning 2 straight in 2017 and 2018 under then-coach Doug Kerr.
Baldwin senior quarterback Bryis Alford helped lead a strong rushing attack on offense, while also shaking off an early interception to deliver a solid line passing the ball as well. Alford had two rushing touchdowns and a long bomb to Taylor Wilson for the team’s lone passing touchdown. Alford finished with 145 rushing yards on six carries while also passing for 56 yards.
Senior running back Kreyton Frost had a couple rushing touchdowns on the goal line while senior wide receiver Tucker Flory turned a jet sweep into a 52-yard rushing touchdown, which came directly after a potential punt return touchdown by junior Wrigley Hamrick was nullified by penalty. Sophomore Tyce Engemann got the Bulldogs started fast with an 84-yard touchdown on the opening kickoff. Junior kicker Jake Broers converted four extra-point attempts. Junior wide receiver Kage Blair rounded out the scoring, hauling in a touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Max Delaney as the backups took over in the final quarter. Blair also converted the 2-point conversion.
Baldwin held its opponent scoreless until Hiawatha got on the board with a touchdown on the team’s final possession of the game. Senior linebacker Landry Quick led the way on defense with seven tackles, including a sack and four tackles for loss, to go along with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
The Bulldogs will head to Ottawa next Friday to kick off Frontier League play. Baldwin lost 41-6 against the Cyclones in Week 2 last season.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Baldwin senior quarterback Bryis Alford runs the ball on a play during the team’s 54-6 victory over Hiawatha on Sept. 4 at Liston Stadium in Baldwin.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Baldwin senior running back Kreyton Frost during the team’s 54-6 victory over Hiawatha on Sept. 4 at Liston Stadium in Baldwin.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Baldwin sophomore wide receiver Tyce Engemann returns a kick return for an 84-yard touchdown on the opening play of the team’s 54-6 victory over Hiawatha on Sept. 4 at Liston Stadium in Baldwin.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Baldwin junior placekicker Jake Broers kicks an extra-point attempt during the team’s 54-6 victory over Hiawatha on Sept. 4 at Liston Stadium in Baldwin.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Baldwin sophomore guard Jett Rood lifts up senior quarterback Bryis Alford into the air to celebrate one of Alford’s rushing touchdowns during the team’s 54-6 victory over Hiawatha on Sept. 4 at Liston Stadium in Baldwin.
