KARNS CITY — Maverick Kelsea likes hitting people.

Whether it is as a fullback and lead blocker, a tailback lowering his pads and churning his legs for extra yardage or as a linebacker, coming up, filling a gap and lowering a boom, Kelsea relishes contact.

The Karns City senior was a force this season on both sides of the ball for the Gremlins, who came a whisker away from beating perennial power Aliquippa in the PIAA Class AA quarterfinals in December.

Kelsea rushed for 581 yards and 18 touchdowns and also recorded 102 tackles on defense.

Yet very few schools above the Division III level showed an interest.

“It was kind of frustrating,” Kelsea said. “I wasn't getting very much attention.”

Kelsea planned on walking-on at Slippery Rock University and had already sent the school the paperwork in enroll, but then Clarion University came calling.

And Kelsea was convinced.

“They said I had a spot on the roster,” Kelsea said. “I was sold.”

Kelsea, at 6-foot and 210 pounds, still has room to grow.

He added 20 pounds to his frame before his senior season.

Karns City football coach Ed Conto said Kelsea's drive has served him well.

“He made himself into a football player,” Conto said. “I think the best thing you can say about someone is that they have a good work ethic. He has a great work ethic and he has put the time and work in.”

Clarion hasn't given Kelsea an indication of where he will play, but Kelsea prefers linebacker.

“Coach Chris Weibel said I was an all-around athlete,” Kelsea said. “And the decision of where I play is mine. I'd like to play linebacker. I've always loved that position.”

Kelsea has a slew of Division III offers, but wanted to stay closer to home.

There can be no college football field that feels more at home to Kelsea than Memorial Stadium at Clarion University.

“We've played so many games there over the years,” Kelsea said. “I really like that field. That field is like home to me. Clarion is close, my family can come and see me play. It's perfect.”

Kelsea said he will dive back into the weight room again this offseason.

But he said he will also focus on his speed and footwork.

“The weights will always be there,” he said. “What I need to do is improve my foot speed. It's a long process. It doesn't just happen overnight”

Kelsea said he also believes he will fit in with the players on the Clarion roster.

The Golden Eagles, a program that has seen its fair share of struggles in the past, started the 2015 season with seven straight wins before fizzling down the stretch.

Kelsea said Clarion is a good fit for his skills.

And the chip on his broad shoulders.

“I'm absolutely stoked,” Kelsea said. “I really can't wait to get there. I know I'm going to have to be patient. I have to learn their defense and pay my dues, but I'm a pretty quick learner when it comes to football.

Hopefully in a couple of years I can be top dog there.”

Kelsea said Karns City and the Gremlins' coaching staff have done a great job preparing players to play at the next level.

“Coach Conto has always taught us what we're supposed to do when we grow up,” Kelsea said. “He taught us how to be men.”