2025 Trib HSSN Preseason Football All-Star Team: Peters Township’s Reston Lehman

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, July 20, 2025 | 4:29 PM

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It takes a special player to be a four-year starter on a Class 5A football team, especially for a program like Peters Township.

Senior defensive end Reston Lehman is that special player.

Lehman has started at defensive end/outside linebacker for the Indians on defense and at tight end on offense for four years.

“We have had an awesome team the past three seasons, and we are working hard this season,” Lehman said. “We want to get back to the WPIAL championship game and hopefully get back to the PIAA championship game.”

The Indians are led by three 2025 Trib HSSN preseason all-stars. Joining Lehman is quarterback Nolan DiLucia and defensive end Lucas Shanafelt.

Peters Township has made it to two consecutive WPIAL 5A championship games, winning in 2023 and falling in 2024. The Indians also reached the 2023 PIAA championship game but lost to Imhotep Charter.

“That was a memorable season,” Lehman said. “My most memorable game was defeating Upper St. Clair in the playoffs last year. They beat us in the regular season. We do not like each other.”

Lehman started 10 games on defense as a freshman.

He played opposite outside linebacker Mickey Vaccarello.

“We graduated a lot from the 2023 team, so I knew I had to step up my leadership,” Lehman said. “There was more pressure, and it did not end how we hoped.

“But not winning made us realize that we needed to work harder on fundamentals. We have a good team returning, and we are ready for a big season. We have a chip on our shoulder.”

This year, Lehman will play opposite another great player on defense — Shanafelt.

“Lucas is a great player,” Lehman said. “He can do a lot of things. I am excited.”

Lehman should be more involved in the offense. He hopes to be one of DiLucia’s targets. He had six catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns as a junior.

“Nolan has the ability to make explosive plays,” Lehman said. “I am glad he is on my team.”

Peters Township coach T.J. Plack had nothing but praise for Lehman’s performance.

“He is a great player and a leader,” Plack said. “He and Lucas form a dynamic duo, and they set the edges.”

Deciding on his future college was difficult. Lehman had 32 offers but selected Pitt over Rutgers and Penn State.

“I was a Pitt fan all my life,” Lehman said. “When they offered I was excited. It was a dream. But then more offers came, and it became difficult.

“But what Pitt does on defense fits my style. I also like the coaches.”

Reston Lehman

Peters Township

Senior

6-foot-4, 230 pounds

WR/LB

Committed to: Pitt

Division I offers: Arizona, Boston College, Eastern Michigan, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Highlights: Hudl

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Peters Township