Wildcats Fall in Home Opener to William Penn in Clash of the Week

BALDWIN CITY – With the game being featured as the Urban Edge Network's "Clash of the Week", No. 16 Baker fell 24-13 to William Penn on Saturday afternoon at Liston Stadium in its 2025 home opener. The loss dropped the Wildcats to 0-2 for the first time since 2010.

The Statesmen used a steady rushing attack and long possessions to control much of the afternoon, holding the ball for nearly 19 minutes in the first half compared to Baker's 11. The Wildcats stayed within striking distance into the fourth quarter, but a late William Penn touchdown sealed the outcome.

Backed by a standout performance by running back Destynd Loring, William Penn piled up 205 yards on the ground as part of a 330-yard performance. That total topped Baker's 202 yards of total offense, though the Wildcats limited the Statesmen through the air to just 125 passing yards. Loring finished with 199 yards on 27 carries and scored all three of his team's touchdowns.

Baker quarterback Truman Juelsgaard went 21-for-26 through the air for 126 yards, adding 34 rushing yards. Adrion Seals led the Wildcats' receiving corps with seven catches for 46 yards, while Noah Hastert (36 yards) and Eric Avery (21 yards) hauled in five receptions each. Seth Simpson went a perfect 2-for-2 on field goals with makes from 37 and 42 yards.

The Statesmen (3-0) set the tone early with a touchdown on the game's opening drive, while Baker answered on its third possession with a nine-play march capped by Gabe Martin's two-yard rushing score—his second touchdown of the season—to tie the game at 7-7.

William Penn reclaimed the lead just before halftime with a 14-play, seven-minute drive that ended in a field goal, sending the visitors into the break ahead 10-7.

After halftime, Simpson tied the game for Baker with a 37-yard field goal, but the Statesmen answered quickly, covering 75 yards in just six plays for a 17-10 lead. Simpson connected again from 42 yards after a 13-play drive to cut the deficit to 17-13.

The Wildcats forced a punt late in the fourth quarter, but their offense stalled with a three-and-out. William Penn sealed the contest with an 11-play, 75-yard drive punctuated by Loring's third rushing touchdown of the afternoon, putting the Statesmen up 24-13 with under two minutes remaining.

Defensively, the Wildcats—who led the nation in defensive touchdowns a year ago and interceptions two years ago—have now gone back-to-back games without recording a turnover or a sack. The game also saw a combined 24 penalties between the two teams.

Baker continues its homestand next Saturday, Sept. 20, with a tough matchup against defending national champion and top-ranked Grand View. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. at Liston Stadium.

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