Drive to improve, helpful mentors lead Franklin Regional grad to Division I football

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, February 17, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Gentle giant Max Leven had a goal when he left Franklin Regional, but for him to achieve that goal, he felt he needed some fine-tuning.

If he was going to be ready to play NCAA Division I college football, the 6-foot-8, 285-pound Leven had to smooth out some rough edges.

After a post-grad season at a prep school, Bridgton Academy in Maine, a more refined Leven landed on the radar of several college coaches. He drew three Division I offers, but one stood out over the other two.

An offensive tackle, Leven signed a letter of intent to play at Tennessee Tech, an FCS program that plays in the Ohio Valley Conference.

“Bridgton helped me focus on my academics to prepare for college, making me a more well-rounded student-athlete,” Leven said. “The great on-field coaching by our coaching staff prepared me for the next level.

“I made some great, lifelong friendships and relationships.”

With better flexibility and footwork, colleges started to see his potential. His other offers were from Merrimack and Monmouth.

Leven, who played in the East-West All-Star Game as a senior at Franklin Regional, said a circle of support has followed him since he began to see football as a path to the next level. Since he began to work harder at his craft.

“(Former Franklin Regional basketball coach Steve Scorpion) has been mentoring me since fifth grade athletically, academically and personally,” Leven said. “(Football coach Lance Getsy and current basketball coach Jesse Reed) enhanced my development in high school, preparing me for the next level. I dedicated myself to working hard on and off the field to prepare myself for Division I football by also working with coach (DeWayne) Brown From 2Tenths Training.”

Scorpion said Leven’s development is simply is a product of hard work.

“I’m so proud of him. He worked his butt off and earned that,” Scorpion said. “I’m really happy for him and the whole family. They’ve been there for me through everything and stuck by me and really supported me and I’m just really happy for them. I’ve watched him basically grow up from sixth grade and have seen the growth not only with football but in the classroom, as well and just all around. Good things happen to people who work hard and who are good people. And Max is both of those.”

Tennessee Tech is far from home, but Leven saw a welcome mat when he visited the school.

“From the moment I stepped on campus, the coaching staff made me feel at home,” he said. “They are all new to Tennessee Tech with a long, successful track record. They are a program on the rise and I am excited to join the family.”

Or, in this case, to see the family grow.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional