Champs Sports Network

The Peters Township Indians (1-0) cruised to a 40-12 victory over the Baldwin Fighting Highlanders (0-1) on Friday night thanks to a dominant second half that saw Peters Township outscore Baldwin 27-6.

All eyes were on Baldwin running back Dorian Brown, who rushed for 1200 yards on 197 carries last season, and is being recruited by Duke, West Virginia, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, and Youngstown State.

Brown was given a chance to make his impact early, but was limited on Baldwin’s first series. The offense went three and out. On Peters first series, Mike Minjock foreshadowed what would be a dominant performance by taking his first carry 58 yards to the end zone.

On the next series, Dorian Brown had his first of two fumbles on the night, though both fumbles were partially the fault of quarterback Douglas Altavilla, who threw a pass backwards intended for Brown. Brown couldn’t catch it cleanly and Peters recovered.

Peters wouldn’t be able to capitalize on starting deep in Baldwin’s territory, as Cory Owen threw up a ball that was deflected into the air and intercepted by Donald West.

Dorian Brown then made his biggest impact of the game, taking a pitch play 85 yards for a touchdown. After a missed extra point, the score was 7-6 Peters Township, and that was the closest it would get.

Down 13-6 late in the first half, Baldwin twice failed to capitalize on crucial opportunities on Peters side of the field which included a turnover on downs and Dorian Brown’s second fumble of the game—which came on a botched exchange between Altavilla and Brown.

When the second half opened, running back Mike Minjock and Peters Township did not look back. Minjock exploded in the second half for 162 yards on 11 carries and found the end zone three times. In total, he rushed for 247 yards on 19 carries and scored four touchdowns.

Neither side was particularly effective throwing the football. Peters Township’s rotation of sophomore Cory Owens and junior R.J. Pfeiffer combined for a stat line that read 5/10 for 61 yards with an interception and a fumble. Baldwin’s Douglas Altavilla went 7/21 for 72 yards.

Dorian Brown would finish with 19 carries for 126 yards, two touchdowns, and two fumbles. He was bottled up most of the game, rushing for just 41 yards on 18 carries when you remove his 85 yard touchdown run.

Most of the second half, Baldwin tried to let Brown be the catalyst to get them back in the game, but he was not given much room to run by a swarming Peters Township defense.

Notes:

Peters Township will go on the road to face Penn Hills next Friday. Baldwin will host Plum.

Mike Minjock was named AAAA WPIAL player of the week.