Baldwin forced an incomplete pass on a 2-point conversion play with 4:10 to play Friday and then ran out the clock to pick up the Bulldogs’ second narrow victory of the young season.

Piper scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns in less than a minute after it looked as if the Bulldogs were home free. The Piper rally was aided by a leading-with-the-helmet 15-yard penalty, which set the Pirates up first and goal on the Bulldog 6 yard line. The flag came a good 20 seconds after officials blew the play dead.

Piper scored three plays later when senior quarterback Keelon Vann found tight end Collin Bebbe free in the end zone. Vann then found the end zone scrabbling around the right side, pulling Piper within a touchdown at 27-20 with 4:48 to play.

Having watched the Bulldogs seniors running backs Jake and Joel Katzer lead a Bulldog running game that overmatched Piper all night, Pirate coach Chris Brindle opted for an onside kick. The gamble paid off, sitting Piper up at midfield despite the protest of Bulldog coach Mike Berg, who thought Piper players had touched the ball and thrown blocks before the ball went the required 10 yard.

Vann again marched the Pirates downfield, gaining another 15 yards at the end of a 12-yard pass play with a roughing the passer call. The call again gave the Pirates a first and goal at the 6 yard line. This time, Vann found receiver J.J. Letcher free in the end zone, pulling the Pirates within one at 27-26 with 4:10 to play. Baldwin got pressure on Vann on the 2-point conversion attempt as he rolled out to the left, forcing an errant pass into the end zone.

For more, read the Baldwin City Signal