Westmoreland high school notebook: Ligonier Valley’s Petrof tests recruiting waters

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, January 5, 2019 | 7:18 PM

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Michael Petrof is taking his first steps into the sometimes-perilous and always-curious recruiting process.

But the talented junior lineman from Ligonier Valley is doing so with some perspective.

“It’s been my dream to play major college football ever since I started playing when I was 7 years old,” he said. “Football has always had a special place in my heart. I need to work on every aspect of my game. That includes how I am in the classroom. I realize the small percentage of high school football players who play major college football. That motivates me to be relentless and always find something to improve upon.”

Petrof, who comes from an athletic family, is beginning to hear from Division I colleges after a strong season for the District 6 power Rams.

College programs from the Ivy League, Northeast Conference and Colonial Athletic Association have shown initial interest in the 6-foot-2, 275-pound offensive guard/defensive tackle.

Petrof will take the SAT in March, which will kick-start the back-and-forth with schools and potentially bring scholarship offers.

“As of right now, I am not content with my play,” Petrof said. “But I feel like I have more potential and that there is, no matter what, room for improvement.”

Petrof was second on the team this season with 70 tackles, 12 for losses, and registered eight sacks.

Family ties

Shady Side Academy has an up-and-coming girls basketball player with local connections and plenty of pedigree.

Nyla Rozier, a 5-foot-11 sophomore guard, is among the team’s scoring leaders at around 11 points per game. Rozier is the daughter of former Greensburg Central Catholic standout Robin Mull and the niece of a pair of other GCC stars in Arlene and Monica Mull.

Robin Mull played on GCC’s 1997 PIAA championship team and at Point Park, and Arlene played at Robert Morris and Monica at Hiwassee (Tenn.).

Arlene and Monica were all-state players.

Jayhawk Hall of Fame

Jeannette this week will begin to sell tickets for its inaugural Jayhawk Athletic Hall of Fame induction event. The tickets will be sold from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday in the high school lobby. Cost for each ticket is $40 and is good for the boys home basketball game Feb. 8 and the induction dinner Feb. 9 at Ferrante’s Lakeview.

The event is limited to 200 tickets. Checks can be made payable to Jeannette Education Foundation.

Heritage honors

After each sports season, the District 6 Heritage Conference puts out its all-conference teams. Ligonier Valley had a successful fall season and was duly awarded. All-conference picks from the school include John Caldwell, Petrof and Aaron Tutino (football); Abi Cmar (volleyball); Donovan Reim and Angelene Piper (cross country); and Kendra Pecora and Jon Rankin (golf).

Kallock now No. 2

Greensburg Salem girls basketball standout Megan Kallock moved into the No. 2 spot on the Golden Lions’ all-time scoring list. Kallock surpassed Jessica Greene (1,556) to reach second place.

The top spot belongs to Danielle Dawson, who had 2,007 points.

Milestone for Pritts

Brian Pritts has the Southmoreland girls basketball team playing well. The Scotties (8-2, 3-1) are one game out of first place in WPIAL Section 3-4A. Their latest win was a milestone for Pritts. Thursday’s 37-22 victory at Ringgold was his 200th career win.

Moon to SHU

One of the WPIAL’s top basketball post players is coming to Seton Hill. Serra Catholic 6-8 senior Jimmy Moon, who is averaging 29 points and 10 rebounds this season, gave the Griffins a verbal commitment.

Recruiting buzz

Belle Vernon senior football linemen Anthony Rebar and Eric Oblak picked up Division II offers, Rebar from Mercyhurst and Oblak from Wheeling Jesuit.

• Derry senior football standout Dom DeLuca was offered by Lock Haven. He recently made an official visit to Robert Morris.

• Former Franklin Regional standout lineman Eric Festa, who took a year off after beginning his college football career at Concord, received an offer from Cal (Pa.). Festa did not play football this season.

Bill Beckner is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.