Trib HSSN football player of the week for Sept. 22, 2024

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, September 22, 2024 | 9:12 PM

Trib HSSN football player of the week – Matt Sieg

School – Fort Cherry

Class – Junior

Height/weight – 6-foot, 180 pounds

Position – Quarterback, safety

What coach says – “I thought Matt did a great job jumping back into the throwing game,” Fort Cherry coach Tanner Garry said. “Obviously, there’s still some lingering discomfort after getting his cast off, but he did a great job managing it.

“His ability to continue playing at the same level for four quarters,” Garry said when asked what makes his quarterback so special. “You get the same player in the fourth quarter that you got in the first.

“We’ve had some struggles, but I think our staff did a great job of finding ways to still get Matt involved without always lining up at quarterback. We’ve also been fortunate enough to have a couple backups who were able to step in and still run the offense.”

On setting a record of 5,000 rushing yards and 3,000 passing yards: “Another incredible milestone for him with a lot of games left to play. It’s fun to see him continue to grow on and off the field and to be able to witness the success that comes from his hard work.”

#Earned – Matt Sieg, one of the top returning players in the district this season, suffered a setback in the season opener when he broke the thumb on his throwing hand. He continued to play, but could not throw the ball the last few weeks because of his cast. The cast came off and the threat of throwing the ball by the talented junior was just what the doctor ordered for Fort Cherry. Sieg connected on 7 of 14 passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns, plus he rushed for 208 yards on 26 carries and scored the game-winning touchdown on a 51-yard run in the fourth quarter as the Rangers escaped Monessen with a 35-14 Class A Black Hills Conference win.

Background – Sieg made history in Friday’s win, becoming the first player in WPIAL history to reach 3,000 passing yards and 5,000 rushing yards for his career. For the season, the junior has 653 yards rushing on 72 carries and 12 touchdowns and has thrown for 133 yards and three touchdowns. A year ago, Sieg threw for 1,670 yards and 20 touchdowns and led the WPIAL in rushing with 2,389 yards on 255 carries. He also led the district in scoring with 43 touchdowns in helping Fort Cherry win its first WPIAL football championship. The Rangers reached the PIAA title game and lost to Steelton-Highspire. Sieg has more than a dozen Division I offers, including Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia. Sieg is also a standout on both the basketball court and the baseball diamond for the Rangers.

WPIAL Week 4 honorable mentions

Nolan DiLucia, Peters Township

There was no trap game scenario for the defending WPIAL 5A champions as they took care of business in the battle of the Indians. In the final nonconference tune-up for Peters Township before it opens Allegheny Six Conference play in a showdown at Upper St. Clair, junior quarterback Nolan DiLucia connected on 14 of 23 passes for 352 yards and touchdown passes of 67 and 36 yards to senior Nick McCullough, 17 yards to junior Lucas Rost and 28 yards to junior Lucas Shanafelt as Peters Township blanked West Allegheny, 38-0,

Kaevon Gardner, New Castle

The winds of change for the Red Hurricanes continue as they improved to 4-0 after winning only one game in the entire 2023 season. New Castle prepared for the rigors of the 4A Parkway Conference with one final nonconference victory in a wild comeback against Knoch. Trailing by 12 points with under four minutes remaining, the ‘Canes scored 22 points to rally and win 42-32. Senior running back Kaevon Gardner rushed for 192 yards on 18 carries and scored four touchdowns in the thrilling win over the Knights.

Robert Lanzi, South Park

A lot of attention from the South Allegheny defense was being paid to South Park’s leading rusher, Eric Doerue, in this early battle for first place in the 2A Allegheny Conference. While the Gladiators kept Doerue in check with 73 yards rushing and two touchdowns, it was Eagles quarterback Robert Lenzi who did most of the damage with his arm and legs. The junior completed 7 of 10 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown, plus he rushed for 184 yards on 14 carries and three touchdowns as South Park outlasted South Allegheny, 48-38.

2024 HSSN Players of the Week

Week 3 – Trey Hopper, Montour

Week 2 – Tyler Eber, Thomas Jefferson

Week 1 – Donald Barksdale, Steel Valley

Week Zero – Drew Welhorsky, South Fayette

Tags: Fort Cherry