Dedicated senior receiver helps pieces fit into place for Fox Chapel football

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Fox Chapel senior Max Melocchi enjoys the pressure that comes with playing quarterback. However, Melocchi is happy to be preparing to play wide receiver and power back for the Foxes in the upcoming season.

During a 7-on-7 workout July 9 at Fox Chapel, Melocchi was happy to haul in passes from Joey Geller during an event that featured Highlands, Knoch, Burrell, Freeport and Armstrong.

“Joey throws me the ball and helps make me look good,” Melocchi said. “I hope I’ll help him look good sometimes. We feed off each other.”

Melocchi led Fox Chapel in passing as a sophomore, throwing for 401 yards. Last season, Melocchi missed five games with an ankle injury. He was part of a three-man quarterback platoon with Geller and Nathan Johnson.

“I told coach this offseason, after basketball season, that whatever is best for the team is where I’ll play,” Melocchi said.

Foxes coach Dave Leasure said he has been impressed with Melocchi’s dedication to working in the weight room. Leasure noticed a difference during basketball season, when Melocchi was balancing commitments between the two sports.

“With relentless pursuit,” Leasure said about Melocchi’s approach. “I know for a fact that he worked out during basketball because this was the goal. When basketball was over in March, he was starting from a better position than he did in previous years where he may not have touched a weight for three months during basketball. He’s the strongest he’s ever been.”

The Foxes are in the third year of Leasure running the program. The veteran coach said he is happy with the progress the offense is making overall.

With Geller and Johnson also returning, the Foxes have a lot of players on the roster who are capable of leading the offense.

“They both played as sophomores and as juniors,” Leasure said. “They have the experience. When you throw in the experience with the terminology, you can see a better product. Joey tonight made a couple of mistakes, but 90 to 95 percent of the time, he was going where he needed to with the football and making great throws.”

Melocchi has also been more aware of what he is doing to prepare for the season. He is keeping track of what he eats, attempting to consume the right amount of calories.

“I was 220, but with running and cardio, you start to lose it,” Melocchi said. “I just track my calories throughout the day. In the summer, we have lifting three days a week, then three days of conditioning.”

Tags: Fox Chapel