Best of Sports, Football: Matt Sieg, Fort Cherry
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
There was no sophomore slump for Matt Sieg.
After putting up gaudy numbers as a freshman, the Fort Cherry quarterback/defensive back/punter/kick returner helped lead the Rangers to their first WPIAL championship in the history of the football program and an appearance in the state title game, which also was a first.
Fort Cherry fell short of its goal in a loss to Steelton-Highspire in PIAA Class A title game to finish the season at 15-1 and Sieg’s contributions led to him being named the Observer-Reporter’s Football Player of the Year.
Sieg rushed for 2,387 yards with 41 touchdowns, passed for 1,671 with 20 scores, returned two punts for touchdowns and had 37 tackles and three interceptions, including one pick-six.
In two years of high school football, Sieg has rushed for 4,372 yards and thrown for 2,892 and scored 76 touchdowns.
Fort Cherry coach Tanner Garry started to hear about Sieg’s potential when the quarterback was in middle school.
“I was coaching at South Fayette when Matt was in sixth grade and the talk had begun,” Garry said. “He was in the seventh grade when I was hired at Fort Cherry and he was impressive on film, but I needed to take a look. There was no question he would start as a freshman.
“Sometimes, kids will wait to stay doing the extra work until their junior year, but Matt has been doing that work since middle school. He really checks off all the boxes when you think about what you want in a player.”
HONOREES
Jase Banco, senior, Trinity
Geno Calgaro, senior, Canon-McMillan
Marco Carone, senior, Upper St. Clair
Carson Crowe, senior, McGuffey
Nate Deans, senior, South Fayette
Nolan DiLucia, sophomore, Peters Township
Ruben Gordon, senior, Washington
Braeden Helmkamp, senior, Trinity
Adam LaCarte, senior, Belle Vernon
Barden Laux, senior, Belle Vernon
Jake Layhue, senior, California
Quinton Martin, senior, Belle Vernon
Franco Muscatello, junior, Peters Township
Clancy Orie, junior, Bethel Park
Ryan Petras, junior, Bethel Park
Lou Ryan, senior, Fort Cherry
Nate Stohl, junior, Upper St. Clair
Mickey Vaccarello, junior, Peters Township
Jonah Williamson, sophomore, Trinity
Joe Wilson, sophomore, Washington
Breydon Woods, senior, Waynesburg