SLIPPERY ROCK — You won't find his name on any stat sheet.

That's because the categories in which Alex Strezeski shines — heart, competitiveness and pride — can't be measured by numbers.

The Knoch graduate who caught three touchdown passes and returned two interceptions for scores during the Knights' 2011 run to Heinz Field and the WPIAL championship game toils in relative anonymity at Slippery Rock University these days.

But the Rock coaches know he's there.

Listed as a junior receiver on the SRU roster, Strezeski is stuck behind returning starters Jaimire Dutrieiille, Drew Scales and Leroy McClain, along with sophomore Taishon Tucker and other talented young receivers on the depth chart. He sees the field regardless.

“Alex received our Coaches Award last year for the player who best exemplifies what Rock Football is all about,” SRU coach George Mihalik said. “That guy will do anything to help the team win.

“He is the consummate team player.”

Now a junior at The Rock, Strezeski has yet to catch a pass or make a tackle while wearing a Rock uniform. Four seasons ago, he averaged 20 yards per catch on eight receptions for Knoch in just six games. He also started at cornerback and played special teams.

“I never left the field,” Strezeski said proudly.

Now he faces his annual battle to get on it.

“Nothing is set yet and roles haven't been determined,” SRU special teams coach Dom Razzano said. “Those roles will be earned. But on special teams, we're not necessarily looking for speed, size and strength.

“We want the guys who play with heart, who take pride in their performance and are willing to go out there and compete when the spotlight's not on them.

“That describes Alex Strezeski. Players like him are the foundation of this program,” Razzano added.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Strezeski is battling for time on the kick return, PAT and punt return teams. And he hasn't given up on his prospects at wide receiver, either.

“There's a different technique to blocking on special teams,” Strezeski said. “All I know is I don't want the guy I'm blocking making the tackle. I take a lot of pride in that.

“I'm going to work hard at receiver and try to get on the field. We put a lot of receivers out there on various plays ... You never know what might be in the cards.”

A finance major, Strezeski is carrying a 3.5 grade point average. He has never thought of transferring to any other school.

“I love this program,” Strezeski said. “I love all of the coaches. I've heard horror stories from other players who have gone to other places and how they've been treated.

“Here, they care about us. Everyone's treated like a valuable part of the team.”

Strezeski is one of three juniors or seniors from that 2011 WPIAL runner-up Knoch team still playing football. Lineman Luke Kroneberg (Geneva) and quarterback Dakota Bruggeman (Alderson Broaddus) are the others.

“When Alex gets on the field, we know we're gonna get 100 percent from him,” Mihalik said. “He's a good student who represents himself well — and he's got a championship ring at The Rock.

And he's still learning the game every day.

“All of the receivers on this team are always learning from each other,” Strezeski said. “There's so much talent there, but no one thinks he's so good that he can't take advice from a teammate.

“One of us may notice a guy could do better if he made a cut a certain way, ran a route sharper ... That kind of criticism is accepted here.”

When Strezeski graduates, he's hoping to land a G.A. position somewhere and do a little coaching.

Razzano isn't surprised.

“He never takes a play off,” Razzano said. “Even when he's doing scout team at receiver in practice, he challenges our defense and makes those guys work.

“Guys like Alex are good for any team anywhere.”