Nick Perri wasn't ready to see his football playing days end just yet.

Saint Vincent College is in the process of reviving its gridiron program.

It was a perfect fit.

Perri, a resident of Harmony and 2006 graduate of Seneca Valley High School, is one of 21 recruits who will soon be entering their freshman season at the college in Latrobe.

"It's going to be a bit tougher keeping up with my studies while I'm playing football," said Perri, who will major in biology and wants to become a doctor. "And school has always come first over football with me. But I've always been interested in sports since I was a kid.

"I've played football since seventh grade. Now I have the opportunity to keep playing for a few more years."

Perri saw limited action as a defensive back and wide receiver for Seneca Valley in 2005.

"I would have been the kicker, too, but I suffered a groin injury," said Perri.

Except for three seasons during World War II, St. Vincent fielded a football team from 1923-62, compiling a 155-118-26 record in that span.

It continued as a club sport into the 1970s before being disbanded.

Ironically, Perri's grandfather, Francis Perri, was a running back for the Bearcats in the 1950s.

Now the younger Perri will be part of the program's rebirth.

"I was also thinking about Guilford College in North Carolina," said Perri. "But since my grandfather came to St. Vincent, and they have a really good science program, I decided to go there."

Former NFL position coach Bob Colbert has been hired to lead the Bearcats. His brother, Bernie, will be the team's offensive line coach.

Bernie Colbert approached Perri about suiting up for the Bearcats.

"His high school coach (Ron Butschle) said that Nick is a well-rounded kid," said Bernie Colbert. "We're not sure where a lot of the players will be at as far as positions go. But (Perri) will probably be a defensive back or wide receiver."

"I'd rather play defensive back instead of receiver," Perri said. "But it's just going to depend on where they need me."

St. Vincent's 2006 recruiting class includes players from six different PIAA districts. The Bearcats will not officially take the field until 2007 as part of the Presidents' Athletic Conference.

The PAC currently includes Westminster, Thiel, Waynesburg, Washington and Jefferson, Grove City, Thomas More and Bethany.

Geneva College will also enter the field in 2007.

"This fall, we're going to be practicing three times per week," Bernie Colbert said. "But there will be no outside competition, no scrimmages against other teams. That way, this year's freshmen won't lose a year of eligibility."

As he was growing up, Perri's family moved often. He was born in Philadelphia and has lived in several other places which included Mount Lebanon and Canton, Ohio, before settling in Harmony a year and a half ago.

He hopes that St. Vincent will prove to be a home for the next four years.

"I'm just looking to have fun playing football," he said.