Nov 12, 2025 3 min read

Name: Cole Neupaver

Grade: Senior

School: Peters Township

Sport: Football

Neupaver’s week: It has already been a breakout season for Neupaver, but he really opened some eyes Friday by scoring five touchdowns in Peters Township’s 42-14 victory over Bethel Park in the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals.

Neupaver scored on runs of 1, 1, 4 and 8 yards and caught a touchdown pass from Nolan DiLucia. He finished with 135 yards rushing.

“I’ve done that before, but I couldn’t have done it without our team,” Neupaver said. “Our line played outstanding. A couple of our starting linemen went down with injuries and some young guys came in and stepped up. I have to give a big shoutout to them because they are a big part of my success. Same with our quarterback Nolan DiLucia. He’s a great leader and we are a pretty good backfield duo.”

Returning to football: Neupaver played football growing up, but took a break past middle school to focus on hockey. He played in the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite youth program. But after his sophomore year he decided that he wanted to play football again. He was limited last year because of a hand injury, but has been the starting running back this year.

“I decided that hockey wasn’t my path and that I still loved the sport of football,” Neupaver said. “It’s been truly some of the most fun I’ve had in my life. I came back (to football) and I’m with all my friends. It’s been a great experience.”

Another neat aspect to playing football for Neupaver is he’s following in his dad Chris’ footsteps as a running back for Peters Township.

Even in youth football, Neupaver was a running back.

“Since my dad played that position, I wanted to play that position from the start of my career,” Neupaver said. “At practice I’m always working on my cuts and vision. You’re always looking to get faster and stronger every single day.”

Balancing act: While Neupaver no longer plays travel hockey, he still plays for the Peters Township hockey team. The PIHL season is in progress, but Neupaver will join the team once football season ends. Neupaver scored a goal in Peters Township’s 2023 Penguins Cup championship win over Upper St. Clair and had four goals and eight assists in 11 games last season.

Neupaver sees similarities in both sports even if one is played on ice and the other on grass or turf.

“In hockey, balance is a huge thing,” Neupaver said. “You’re skating on a thin, steel blade. I think it translates to football. Just getting hit and keeping your balance is a big part of it. Vision is something that crosses over too. Hockey is a pretty fast sport and you have to weave through people. That translates over to looking for a hole in the line, or some daylight, or green grass. It’s almost the same sport, but not the same sport at the same time.”

Avid golfer: When Neupaver gets some free time he enjoys spending it hanging out with friends and family. One hobby he’s taken up is golf and he enjoys teeing it up with his friends.

“We golf a lot in the summer,” Neupaver said. “I’ll play some pickle ball too, but I definitely enjoy golf.”

Compiled by Jerin Steele