3 area all-star football players earn academic scholarships
Bobby Mathews, Bradon Bastian and Stephen Covington each saw their high school football careers pass into the rear-view mirror.
All three, however, recently received a substantial parting gift.
Mathews, a Moniteau graduate, and Bastian and Covington, both from Karns City, were awarded a $1,000 scholarship at halftime of the Frank Varischetti All-Star football game in Brockway last month.
In all, 16 scholarships were awarded at the event, which pitted players from former KSAC schools against those from the former Allegheny Mountain League.
Football players who are pursuing post-secondary education or technical training at an accredited school were eligible for the scholarships.
Each player's academic record and extracurricular activities were among the factors used to determine the recipients.“We didn't know who won the scholarships until they announced it right there on the field,” said Mathews, who played guard and defensive end in the game, won by the KSAC, 20-6. “I really wasn't sure what it was going to be like (playing a football game in June), but I'm happy I did it because it was a great experience.”Mathews, who will play football at Grove City College, was a leader on and off the field for the Warriors last fall.“He's a big kid with a lot of athletic ability,” said Moniteau coach Bob Rottman. “He never came off the field and played with a lot of heart and tenacity. He was dependable on the field and in the locker room.”The Warriors had just 27 players on their roster last season while competing in District 9's Large School Division. Even so, the team proved a tough out. A three-game winning streak in October gave the team momentum entering the district playoffs.After knocking off Clarion in a quarterfinal game, the Warriors fell to eventual champion Ridgway, 15-7, in a semifinal clash. The Elkers, who entered the game with a record of 9-1, trailed the Warriors 7-0 in the fourth quarter.Moniteau finished the season 7-5 after going 3-6 in 2017.“I'm always going to remember how hard we worked to get where we did,” said Mathews. “We switched offenses from the year before (from spread to Wing-T) and that was nice because we had a very big offensive line. Being a guard, I got to pull a lot and that allowed me to utilize my speed.”
Karns City coach Joe Sherwin knew what he had in Bastian, a tackle on both sides of the ball, this time last year. What the latter contributed as a senior exceeded expectations.“He improved immensley during the season and became our best lineman,” Sherwin said. “He has big hands and long arms, is walking on at Clarion (University) and has a lot of potential.”Bastian had confidence entering his senior campaign.“I had a strong off-season and had more knowledge than in past years,” he said. “I felt great in camp.“I was looking forward to the all-star game because I've been lifting for college and wanted to see how I had improved. It was a lot of fun.”Covington, who could not be reached for comment, made the switch from guard to center last fall, while also starting at defensive tackle.“He had played center through junior high and was just more comfortable at that position,” Sherwin said. “He was able to refine some things during the season.”Covington will attend trade school and focus on welding and forging.
