It was a pretty cool moment for Parker Baldwin, on national television no less.
Baldwin, a former Siloam Springs football and track standout and now a freshman on San Diego State's football team, recorded his first-career collegiate interception in the Aztecs' 52-14 thrashing of University of Nevada-Las Vegas on Saturday night -- a game that was broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.
Baldwin tipped a pass in the third quarter, which was deflected up in the air, and Baldwin came down with it and then showed off his running skills by returning the pick 28 yards into Rebels territory.
Baldwin, who's been second string all season, went into the game after starter Na'im McGee was ejected for targeting. Not long after he went in, he made the interception.
"I just tipped it up to myself and tried my best to score," Baldwin said to me on Twitter on Sunday.
It's been fun to see Baldwin playing a part in the Aztecs' success this season.
Baldwin has played in all 11 of San Diego State's games and has recorded eight solo tackles, five assisted tackles and one forced fumble to go with the interception on Saturday.
The Aztecs, meanwhile, after starting 1-3, have reeled off seven straight Mountain West Conference and clinched the Western Division crown of the league.
The Aztecs will play East Division champion Air Force on Saturday, Dec. 5, for the conference title, but before that, San Diego State hosts Nevada in its home finale this Saturday.
And the Aztecs will surely play in a bowl game somewhere this holiday season. They've had a terrific season.
Oh and by the way, because of McGee's ejection, it's likely that Baldwin will start against the Wolf Pack this Saturday as McGee has to sit out the first half.
It's always great to see athletes from Siloam Springs go on to great things after their careers as Panthers.
Baldwin's appears to just be getting started with the Aztecs, and I look to see more great things out of him and his team.
• • •
The Siloam Springs basketball teams got their seasons started on winning notes last Thursday at Gravette.
The Lady Panthers won 63-38 behind 36 points combined from sophomores Morgan Vaughn and Hadlee Hollenback, while the Panthers defeated the Lions 66-40 with sophomore Marquan Sorrells scoring 16 points and senior Kyle Snavely chipping in 13.
In the girls game, the Lady Panthers shook off some first-half sloppiness, which is to be expected in the first game of the season, and they played a much better second half. The Lady Panthers probably could have mercy-ruled the Lady Lions, but perhaps that wouldn't have been the best move as these players need court time and a running clock in the fourth quarter doesn't help that.
The boys did reach the mercy rule with Gravette, going on a 19-0 run in the second quarter, and taking a 30-point lead in the fourth quarter. I'm not sure how many wins it will translate to this season, but these boys will play hard. That was evident on Saturday against the Lions.
Both teams will return to action next week as tournament season gets started.
-- Graham Thomas is the managing editor for the Herald-Leader. He can be reached at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Sports on 11/25/2015