BRIAN BALDRIGE

SCHOOL: Thomas Jefferson.

WHO IS HE? A sophomore running back for the Jaguars (13-0), who will take on Selinsgrove (13-0) in the PIAA Class AAA quarterfinals Saturday. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. at Mansion Park Stadium, Altoona.

PAST WEEK: Baldrige carried 13 times for 100 yards and a touchdown Friday, as the Jaguars defeated Blackhawk, 34-15, in the WPIAL final at Heinz Field. His 56-yard bolt in the second quarter gave his team a 14-3 halftime lead.

SEASON: A 5-foot-9, 175-pounder, Baldrige has gained 1,286 yards on 170 rushes (7.6 per carry) and scored 19 touchdowns.

SEIZING OPPORTUNITY: Baldrige wasn't much of a factor the first five weeks of the season. In fact, he was the Jaguars' No. 3 tailback. He was behind two seniors.

Then Dan Giegerich, a 1,000-yard rusher last year, sustained a hamstring injury that would keep him out of four games. Baldrige stepped forward and started stepping lively with the ball in his hands.

"It was an opportunity to show what I could do with the first team," said Baldrige, who in the past eight games has rushed for 1,051 yards, including six 100-plus efforts.

Giegerich is healthy again and the two have split time the past two games.

PERENNIAL WINNER: Thomas Jefferson has become a powerhouse under coach Bill Cherpak. In his 12 seasons, the Jaguars have won 120 games, two WPIAL titles (2004, 2006) and a PIAA crown (2004). They've played in the past four WPIAL finals, and advanced to the semifinals the previous five years.