Baldwin elects to play independent football schedule

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | 3:29 PM

Citing a focus on student safety and development, the Baldwin-Whitehall School District announced Wednesday that its high school football program will compete as an independent for the next two seasons.

The Fighting Highlanders will join Butler as the only WPIAL football programs to be independent for the next two-year cycle.

“Our responsibility is to make decisions that prioritize student safety and sustainable development,” Baldwin superintendent Randal Lutz said in a statement. “We are very excited about the large freshman class entering our program.

“However, we must also recognize the physical and competitive realities of asking 14- and 15-year-old student-athletes to compete weekly against senior-dominant teams. This two-year window allows our players time to grow, develop, and build confidence.”

Four Fayette County schools — Albert Gallatin, Brownsville, Connellsville and Uniontown — are returning to the WPIAL starting next fall after playing independent schedules.

Baldwin has not won a football game since Aug. 25, 2023, when it defeated Brashear, 56-0.

It went 0-10 overall and 0-5 in the Class 5A Allegheny 6 Conference last season, when it was outscored 558-74. The Fighting Highlanders started the season with 42 players on the roster but were decimated by injuries and transfers, leaving less than 30 healthy players to compete in the WPIAL’s second-largest classification.

Midway through the 2025 season, Baldwin athletic director Tony Cherico reached out to upcoming football opponents with a request to play shortened quarters to help protect Baldwin’s players.

The Highlanders have lost 29 consecutive games, including 20 in a row in Allegheny 6 play.

WPIAL executive director Vince Sortino said the WPIAL supports Baldwin’s decision.

Baldwin officials said the decision follows recent confirmation from the WPIAL that no conference realignment changes will be implemented for the upcoming cycle, aside from the possibility of minor structural adjustments within certain conferences.

Under the current alignment, Baldwin would continue competing against Peters Township, Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park, Moon, South Fayette and, possibly, Thomas Jefferson.

“After evaluating roster composition, participation levels and long-term program development, district leadership determined that competing independently for the next two years best supports student-athlete safety and competitive growth,” Baldwin officials said.

Being independent allows Baldwin to construct a schedule against teams whose competitive profile and roster size align more closely.

The four Fayette County programs scheduled teams from the City League, Districts 9 and 10, West Virginia and Ohio.

Cherico will work with area athletic directors to finalize the schedule, which will be announced at a later date.

“This is about long-term stability,” Lutz said. “At the conclusion of this two-year cycle, we fully intend to evaluate re-entry into WPIAL conference competition when our current freshman class transitions into upperclassmen leadership roles.”

In addition to scheduling adjustments, the district continues to focus on strengthening offseason participation, enhancing youth-to-high-school alignment and expanding spring clinic opportunities for youth and middle school players.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Baldwin