CHERRY TWP — Two Moniteau seniors will be continuing their football and academic careers in college this fall.

Tight end Zach Sloan is headed to Mercyhurst College, a Division II school in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, while center-long snapper-linebacker Jordan Smith is going to Division III Muskingum University of the Ohio Athletic Conference.

The 6-foot-5, 200-pound Sloan caught 22 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns for the Warriors last fall. He had 69 tackles, including 48 solo, defensively.

“You don't see a lot of colleges recruiting pure tight ends anymore,” Moniteau coach Jeff Campbell said. “Most schools shift a fullback or lineman to that position.

“Zach really fits the Wing-T package they run at Mercyhurst. They run a lot of the same plays to the tight end that we do.”

Mercyhurst is entering its fourth year in the PSAC. The Lakers reached the NCAA Division II playoffs last year, finishing 10-3 and losing to Shepherd in the second round.

Ryan Bartizal (11 catches-112 yards) and North Hills graduate R.J. Miller (15-158) split time at tight end for Mercyhurst last season. Bartizal will be a junior and Miller a sophomore next fall.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Smith was recruited as a linebacker, but can handle multiple chores. He finished second in a national long-snapping competition in Texas last summer.

“Jordan's been our long snapper for two years and does an excellent job there,” Campbell said. “I have no doubt he can do that job in college.

“He's a heckua center, but he's rangy and effective on defense, too. That's where most (college) teams like him.”

Smith had 110 tackles — second on the team — and 79 solo stops for Moniteau last year. He had three quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries.

Offensively, he anchored a line that helped Moniteau rush for 2,100 yards and pass for 1,300.

Muskingum, located in New Concord, Ohio, was 3-7 last year and has endured seven consecutive losing seasons. The Muskies will have six seniors and three juniors among their linebacking corps next year.

“If Jordan can redshirt, it'd be the ideal situation,” Campbell said. “He has a big frame he can still grow into. That kid can get bigger and stronger without losing any of his speed.”