Planning, discipline help Sewickley Academy’s Blake Wilmot manage dual-sport fall at 2 schools

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, September 21, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Sewickley Academy and the Class 5A Moon Tigers have a co-op partnership on the football field.

And Sewickley senior Blake Wilmot has taken full advantage of the opportunity this fall.

A senior defender on the Panthers’ soccer team, Wilmot also is a kicking specialist for the Moon gridders.

“This is my first year playing football; the experience has been phenomenal,” Wilmot said. “The Moon football team has made the transition seamless and is allowing me to thrive. I make it a priority to communicate with my coaches and stay mindful of my physical condition.”

Not only is Wilmot a talented, multi-functional athlete, he is an astute and organized planner.

His daily game plan is to compete at a high level on a consistent basis.

“With soccer games every Tuesday, Thursday and sometimes Saturday, and football games every Friday, balancing both practice schedules takes planning and discipline,” he said. “During training camp, I was playing football from 7 to 3:30 and soccer from 4 to 8:30. Since my ankle realignment surgery, I’ve learned how important recovery and consistency are.

“I know I have to bring my best every day so I can contribute at a high level to both teams, and that motivates me to continue pushing myself.”

Accuracy and kicking distance have been two of Wilmot’s strengths at Moon.

“In my game against Penn-Trafford, my longest kickoff hit the crossbar, meaning it traveled over 70 yards,” he said. “In practice, I’ve converted on field goals upwards of 60 yards. The coaches have helped me tremendously with accuracy and consistency.”

The 6-foot, 180-pound Wilmot also punts for the Tigers and isn’t the only Sewickley Academy athlete on the Moon football team, which started out 3-1 this season.

True Robinson, a 6-5, 265-pound junior offensive/defensive lineman, and Dionte Henry Jr., a 6-foot, 175-pound sophomore wide receiver/defensive back, also are team members.

And a trio of freshmen joined the Tigers’ football program this year consisting of Caden Hawkins (RB/LB), Richie Defallo (OL/DL) and Justes Mull (WR/DB).

Moon advanced to the WPIAL playoffs last season after finishing fourth in the Allegheny Six Conference. Seeded 10th, the Tigers lost to No. 7 Penn Hills, 30-27, in the first round.

Wilmot is a fourth-year starter in boys soccer. He mans the center back position at Sewickley and has been an all-section selection in his career.

“I started out as a goalie and right back and transitioned to center back my freshman year,” Wilmot said.

Sewickley coach Joel Stewart said one of Wilmot’s strengths on the pitch is his strength. Plus, his enthusiasm for the game is second to none.

“Blake has been the core of our defense for three years,” Stewart said. “The passion and energy he brings to the pitch is unmatched. He is strong, athletic and plays a physical style of soccer that is needed for that position. He has been the leader of our defense for years and has continued to thrive in that role so far this season as one of our captains.

“One of the often-unmentioned strengths of Blake is his ability to play the ball out of the back. Many of our attacks begin because he was able to find one of our midfielders out of the back. He distributes the ball very well to begin a lot of our possessions.”

The Panthers won five of their first six games in 2025 and outscored the opposition 27-6, which included a 16-2 difference in section play.

Sewickley and Beaver County Christian were tied for first place in Section 1-A at 3-0 and were scheduled to clash Sept. 18 at BCC’s home turf.

“We are playing very well, establishing possession and creating good scoring opportunities for one another,” Wilmot said. “We have had a strong team throughout my years at Sewickley Academy, and I believe we have the potential this season to make a deep run in the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs.

“Our senior class, including Chase D’Antonio (F), Nicholas Day (MF), Luca Peluso (F), Finn Wentz (MF) and myself, is a talented group and has been our driving force.”

Sewickley tied for third in the section with Freedom last season and advanced to the WPIAL playoffs as the No. 11 seed. The Panthers lost a 2-1 decision to sixth-seeded Springdale in the first round to finish 8-9-1 overall.

Wilmot will be a fourth-year starter on the boys lacrosse team in the spring.

“As a freshman, I used a short stick and played in the midfield,” Wilmot said. “Later on, I transitioned to playing with a long stick (moving) between the defense and midfield.”

The Sewickley senior owns a 3.8 GPA and has been exploring his college options.

“I’m applying to several universities, including West Point and the Naval Academy, and would love to carry on my athletic career wherever I go,” he said. “Competing at the next level has always been a goal of mine, and I’m excited to see where the journey takes me. As recruiting comes to a close, I’m excited to see which coaches want me to be a part of their programs.”

Stewart is looking forward to keeping tabs on how the future unfolds for Wilmot following the 2025-26 school year.

“Blake has meant so much for this program,” Stewart said. “He has been the leader of our defense since I started coaching three years ago. He is extremely passionate about this team and Sewickley Academy soccer in general. I have enjoyed seeing Blake grow both on and off the pitch.”

The Panthers defeated Neshannock, 4-1, on Sept. 16 in an important section game as Wentz and D’Antonio collected two goals apiece.

Tags: Sewickley Academy