Penn Hills’ Naytel Mitchell commits to Sacramento State

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, January 4, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Penn Hills football coach Charles Morris said throughout the season that senior running back Naytel Mitchell was one of the most underrated running backs in the WPIAL. Mitchell will get his chance to show what he is made of at the next level.

Mitchell recently announced that he is committed to play at Sacramento State. The Hornets compete in the Football Championship Subdivision and recently hired Greensburg Salem alum Brennan Marion to lead the program.

Marion, who is coming off a highly successful run as the offensive coordinator at UNLV, was brought in to help Sacramento State transition to a Football Bowl Subdivision program.

Mitchell led Penn Hills in rushing, finishing with 1,241 yards on 213 carries. The Indians rallied from an 0-3 start to this season to finish 7-5. Penn Hills pulled out a close win in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs before being bounced out by Upper St. Clair in the quarterfinals.

Dugger impresses in Pitt debut

When the Pitt football team needed Julian Dugger, he was prepared for battle. The Panthers’ true freshman quarterback came in and helped rally Pitt from an eight-point halftime deficit to take a fourth-quarter lead against Toledo in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.

While Pitt lost 48-46 in six overtimes, Dugger made his case for more playing time next season. Coming on to replace the struggling David Lynch, Dugger threw two touchdown passes.

Dugger also ran for 88 yards on 21 carries and scored a touchdown.

Sipple hits the qualifying time

Penn Hills swimmer Anthony Sipple hit a WPIAL Class 3A qualifying mark for the 50-yard freestyle during a meet in December at Penn-Trafford. Sipple qualified for WPIALs in the 50 freestyle and 100 back last season.

Tags: Penn Hills