After winless season, Baldwin going back to basics

By: Ray Fisher
Friday, August 8, 2025 | 6:01 AM

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It has been a return to fundamentals for Baldwin, the only team in Class 5A to go winless last season.

“We’re back to the basics,” coach Dana Brown said, “getting the kids to truly understand football and wanting to be a football player and not just play football.

“Last year was a tough year overall, but we made sure we took some of the positives we saw and brought them into this year and forgot about last year.”

Sophomore Noah Mickolay is a second-year starter at quarterback. Brown said Mickolay is one of the team leaders and hopes the experience he gained last season will benefit Baldwin in 2025.

“He has the keys to the offense, and it runs through him” Brown said. “He was given a huge responsibility as a freshman starting quarterback in one of the toughest conferences not in only in 5A but the whole WPIAL.

“He’s done everything I’ve asked of him this offseason as far as gaining weight, and strength, and becoming more of a leader.”

Mickolay (QB/DB) is one of five returning starters, along with seniors Noah Saccani, at WR/RB/DB, and Nick Hushak (OL/DL), at the center position; sophomore lineman Dylan Kluczkowski and junior linebacker/fullback Joe Jackson.

“My expectations for this year are pretty levelheaded,” Mickolay said. “I’m just hoping that we can all lock in, work hard, and hopefully rack up some wins.

“I think our effort will be the strength of this team because even though we aren’t a big team, we always try our hardest.

“I personally want to just want to progress and have better stats than last year. I also want to be able to bring a win to this year’s team.”

Mickolay, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound signal caller, Saccani and junior RB/LB Dre’on Fuller are expected to be among the main catalysts for the Fighting Highlanders.

The versatile 5-10, 175-pound Saccani is a third-year starter at wide receiver/defensive back.

“I’m expecting him to be one of our big-play players,” Brown said. “When we need a big play, we need to be able to count on him whether it’s on offense or defense. He is one of our fastest players, and one of our most reliable players.”

Saccani was a second team all-conference selection last season and hopes to amass at least 1,250 yards in total offense in 2025.

“I feel we are going to surprise some of the teams we play this season,” he said. “Our short pass game will be our strong suit.”

Fuller (6-0, 225) is a newcomer to the starting lineup after transferring from McKeesport a year ago.

“I expect to win (at least) a couple of the games that we play through the season,” he said. “My personal goals are to get as many tackles as I can and win a couple of games. I hope to play Division I football after high school.”

Other players expected to see a lot of playing time this year include sophomore “athlete” Max Galentine, juniors TE/LB Mikko Kustron and FB/LB Joe Coates, senior OL/DL Caleb Scheller and junior RB/DB Jourdin Bryant.

“I call Max my ‘wild card,’” Brown said. “He’s able to play any position on the field, even the line. He is one of those hard-nose utility players that’s going to do whatever to see the team succeed. On the defensive side, he’ll play outside linebacker.”

Brown and his staff did not have a set starting lineup at the onset of preseason practice.

“For us, the expectation doesn’t change,” Brown said. “We go into each practice, game and film study aiming to win the day.

“Our biggest priority this year is making the plays we’re supposed to make, doing the little things right.”

Baldwin

Coach: Dana Brown

2024 record: 0-10, 0-5 in Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference

All-time record: 340-431-26

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.22 at Thomas Jefferson, 7

8.29 at Fox Chapel, 7

9.5 West Mifflin, 7

9.12 Chartiers Valley, 7

9.19 at Elizabeth Forward, 7

9.26 South Fayette*, 7

10.3 at Bethel Park*, 7

10.10 at Moon*, 7

10.17 Peters Township*, 7

10.24 Upper St. Clair*, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Noah Mickolay

57-117, 599 yards, 2 TDs

Rushing: Devin Taylor*

145-719 yards, 4 TDs

Receiving: Noah Saccani

23-297 yards, 3 TDs

* Graduated

FAST FACTS

• The Fighting Highlanders finished 0-10 following consecutive 1-9 seasons and have lost 19 games in a row and 28 of their past 29. They were 0-5 in the Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference the past two years and have not reached the postseason since 2019.

• Baldwin plays five home games this season, starting with West Mifflin (Sept. 5) on Military Appreciation Night, followed by Chartiers Valley (Sept. 12) on Youth Recognition Night, South Fayette (Sept. 26) on Homecoming Night, Peters Township (Oct. 17) and ending with Upper St. Clair (Oct. 24) on Senior Recognition night.

• Devin Taylor was a first-team all-conference selection at running back in his 2024 senior season at Baldwin. He accounted for 874 total yards with 719 on 145 carries (5.0 avg) on the ground and 165 on 16 receptions. He also played linebacker.

• Taylor and TE/DE Daevion Kietrys are attending John Carroll this fall to continue their football careers. OL/DL Cenzo Pacella, a four-year starter at Baldwin, will be a member of the football program at Washington & Jefferson.

• Dana Brown, at 34, is one of the WPIAL’s younger big-school coaches. He previously worked as an assistant athletic director at McKeesport.

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