Greensburg Salem’s Hoyle, Latrobe’s Etienne hope to go out on top at Foothills Football Classic

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, June 12, 2018 | 9:03 PM

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For Jake Hoyle and Iven Etienne, the Foothills Football Classic will be one last time to shine on a high school football field.

Both will be playing college football as opponents this fall in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, but Friday at Hempfield's Spartan Stadium they hope to help the Red team to a victory over the Blue. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.

It's going to be an especially exciting moment for Hoyle, who saw his senior season end after injuring the ACL in his left knee midway through the 2018 campaign.

After a good end to his junior season, Hoyle was hoping to lead Greensburg Salem to the WPIAL playoffs. But the injury ruined those plans for the multi-talented quarterback.

Hoyle threw for 565 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 510 yards and five touchdowns.

At Seton Hill, Hoyle is expected to play linebacker, which was good news for Red head coach Tim Sweeney from Derry.

“You know me, I love linebackers,” Sweeney said. “I'm excited to see how he performs.”

Sweeney said Hoyle probably will play quarterback, running back and receiver.

“I'm excited because I didn't get to end my season, and that was a disappointment,” Hoyle said. “I didn't get to help my team out. That bothered me. At least I get to play one last game as a high school football player.”

Hoyle said he doesn't care where he lines up, he just wants to play and test the knee.

“I didn't know if I'd be able to come back and play this game,” Hoyle said. “I'm excited to play at Seton Hill and join up with a couple of my ex-teammates.”

Etienne had a solid senior season on a Latrobe team that missed the WPIAL playoffs despite a 4-6 season.

The future Clarion running back did his part. He caught 20 passes for 175 yards and rushed for 729 yards and seven touchdowns.

Sweeney plans to utilize Etienne like Hoyle in many positions on the field.

“We want these guys to have fun,” Sweeney said. “They're all talented.”

Etienne also will play defensive back.

“I'm looking forward to playing in my final high school game and gaining some new brothers,” Etienne said. “I don't have anything to prove. We're all all-stars, and we want to show what we're all about.

“I'm not sure what they have in store for me. Whatever it is, I want to do great.”

Hoyle, Derry's Ryan Polinsky and Hempfield's Justin Sliwoski will share quarterback duties. Sliwoski, who already is at Pitt getting prepared for his college career, is expected to play, Sweeney said.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Greensburg Salem