Baldwin senior quarterback Doug Altavilla is a dual-sport standout.
Altavilla is a fourth-year starter in football, and also has earned three varsity letters in basketball.
He completed 134 of 254 passes for 1,705 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, and has thrown for 3,027 yards and 28 touchdowns in his varsity career.
Altavilla's younger brother, Nick, is a junior wide receiver/defensive back for the Fighting Highlanders.
He finished with 14 receptions for 115 yards in 2014.
The Altavilla-to-Altavilla passing/receiving combination is expected to make an impact in the WPIAL Class AAAA ranks this season.
Doug Altavilla and the Fighting Highlanders will kick off the regular season at 7:30 p.m. Friday at home against Ambridge, followed by a road game at Butler the following week. Both are nonconference games.
The veteran high school signal caller, who will share the team's captaincy duties this season with RB/LB Donnie West, OL/DL Sterling Jenkins and OL/DL Brendan Badstibner, took time recently to answer a variety of questions about on the Baldwin football program:
Q: What are the expectations for the Baldwin football team in 2014?
A: We have the same expectations as we had a season to go, and that is to win a section championship. We understand, however, we simply have to win each day and stay consistent to reach our goal.
Q: Do you have any personal goals for the 2014 football season?
A: I hope to improve my statistics from last season in all phases, and become a better all-around quarterback. I simply want to put my team in good situations at all times and win games.
Q: How much different is it for you as a senior athlete, compared to when you played varsity football as a freshman?
A: The experience over my years has helped me tremendously. I feel as if I have been placed in almost every situation someone can see on any given Friday night. The foolish mistakes I made when I was younger have aided in improving my game today.
As a senior, I strive to be mistake-free, and I will continue to do that day in and day out.
Q: Are you aiming to play football in college? How is the college recruiting process going?
A: Yes, I have a strong desire to play football at the collegiate level. The recruiting process has been very busy for both my family and I as I have been in contact with many top-tier football programs who are also known for their academics.
Q: What does it mean to you to play football for the Baldwin Fighting Highlanders?
A: Friday night football is an experience I wish that everyone could go through. Everyone hears all of the exuberant stories from people they know, but there is nothing like being out there at war with your brothers.
To do this with such a close-knit group of guys and an excellent coaching staff at Baldwin has been a blessing to me.
Q: What is your favorite Baldwin football memory?
A: My very first (varsity) game as a freshman against Fox Chapel.
For weeks, everyone had their doubts about a freshman starting a Quad-A football game, and I simply wanted to prove them all wrong. Our “Party Zone” at Baldwin started the chant, “He's a freshman!,” which seemed to get under the opponent's skin as we marched to a 35-10 victory over the Foxes.
Q: Is there any significance to why you wear uniform No. 13 in football?
A: I was a lineman until eighth grade when Coach (Tony) Cherico gave me the opportunity to play quarterback. I was sick of wearing lineman numbers over the years and decided on No. 13.
Q: Who have been the biggest influences in your football career?
A: My mother and father, as they push both my brother and I to be the best we possibly can be in all aspects of our lives.
Q: Who's your favorite NFL player? Any particular reason why?
A: (San Francisco QB) Colin Kaepernick. He's an explosive, game-changer who isn't afraid to have the ball in his hands through crucial times in a game. This is how I like to play as well, and hope to improve my rushing game to mirror his.
I've been told we kind of look alike too; I don't know how true that is though.
Q: What is your favorite subject in school?
A: I enjoy chemistry and some of the business classes, as I'm looking for a major that may involve these things.
Q: Do you have a nickname?
A: My teammates have called me “Dougie Reps” since Nick Barca made it up my freshman year during our football camp; he said I got all the “reps” in practice.
Q: Who has the best nickname on the Baldwin football team?
A: I'd say Matt George, an offensive lineman. We call him “Lenny Jr.” after another lineman, Sean Gerst, who graduated last season and who is the original Lenny.
Most people think they are very alike both on and off the field.
Q: How do you feel the preseason practice sessions/scrimmages have gone for Baldwin?
A: I believe the practices have gone the way our coaching staff wanted them to go (high tempo, up-beat and competitive).
Our scrimmages, on the other hand, have not been to our liking. We did not show what we are capable of in either scrimmage. We have been practicing hard and competitively though to reach our standards and hopefully excel this week against Ambridge.
Q: Can you provide a brief “scouting report” on the Ambridge football team?
A: Our coaching staff has been preparing us like any other game for (Ambridge). We understand with their new coaching staff that they may have a trick or two up their sleeves, but we need to play our brand of football in order to be successful and accomplish the things we wish to throughout the game.
Q: Are you getting more anxious to start the regular season as you get closer to Friday?
A: I can't wait to get this season under way, and as Friday night gets closer, the Baldwin-Whitehall community gets a little more antsy to see how we will perform.
Ray Fisher is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at 412-388-5820 or rfisher@tribweb.com.
