Norwin will be without lineman Lucas Altier for playoffs after blood clot diagnosis

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, November 1, 2025 | 4:56 PM

Norwin will go into the WPIAL Class 6A football playoffs without one of its top linemen.

The Knights (7-3) are rallying around Lucas Altier as they prepare to face North Allegheny (7-3) on Friday in the semifinals.

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound senior tackle will not be able to play. He is out for the rest of the season after he was diagnosed last week with a blood clot in his right lung following a bout of pneumonia.

His father, Joe, said Lucas was experiencing pain in his chest and ribs and shortness of breath.

The gentle giant was taken by ambulance to AHN Hempfield and, after a diagnosis, was flown by helicopter to Children’s Hospital, where he spent a few days before coming home Friday.

“He kept asking the hematologist, ‘Can I play next Friday?’ ” Joe Altier said. “The doctor said, ‘Lucas, your football season is over this year, but if you listen, I expect you to make a full recovery.’ The doctor said your health is the No. 1 priority.”

Joe Altier said Lucas hopes to be on the sidelines at North Allegheny to support the Knights.

Altier missed last season with a knee injury but came back to help lead the Knights to the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

“This team is very close, and we are rallying around Lucas,” Norwin coach Mike Brown said. “There are some tight-knit friendships within this team, and I know they will be playing for one of their brothers.

“Health is the most important thing, and that’s the only focus with Lucas right now. We have made sure throughout the season that players who might not have seen a bunch of varsity time stayed locked in and ready to go. We have the next-man-up mentality, and we have quality linemen that can step in and get the job done at a high level like Lucas did.”

Brown said Altier will not be an easy replacement. Altier started every game this season.

“Lucas brought size to our O-line and was having a great season for us,” Brown said. “He will be missed.”

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

Tags: Norwin