Keystone Oaks star commits to Villanova
By Chris Harlan and Paul Schofield, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Aug. 25–When Keystone Oaks’ Matt McCann was considering his college football offers, he turned to YouTube.
There, he watched videos of former Chartiers Valley star Ray Ventrone playing safety at Villanova. That, he thought, looked like fun.
“I watched some videos and thought I could do what he did,” said McCann, who verbally committed Tuesday to play football for Villanova, the defending NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision national champion. “He played with a passion and intensity that I strive for every game.”
the 5-foot-10, 190-pound McCann plays running back and middle linebacker for Keystone Oaks.
He rushed for 1,649 yards and scored 22 touchdowns as a junior in 2009. Defensively, he made 125 tackles, recovered three fumbles and made one interception.
McCann was expecting scholarship offers from Ohio and William & Mary, but he was convinced Villanova was where he wanted to enroll. He attended the Wildcats’ camp in June, and the coaches offered him a scholarship in July.
McCann is about the same size as Ventrone (5-10, 200), who starred at Villanova and now plays for the Cleveland Browns.
“I went up there for a visit and just really liked the coaches and the atmosphere,” McCann said. “I like the kind of kids they recruit, and I felt like I fit right in.”
McCann has shared the backfield with teammate Jordan Maddox, also a senior, who rushed for 1,129 and 19 touchdowns last season. both were members of the Tribune-Review Terrific 25 in 2009.
this year, though, the Golden Eagles’ offense has a new look, McCann said, and will use a spread formation.
“Once it gets rolling, I think it’s going to be pretty hard to stop,” said McCann, who at times will play quarterback in a Wildcat formation. “It’s going to be real fun.”
Back to work
McKeesport coach Jim Ward said he was satisfied with his team’s work in Saturday’s scrimmage against Central Catholic.
this is Ward first year at McKeesport, replacing George Smith who resigned after the season.
“We kept things pretty simple,” Ward said. “There was a lot I liked, and there were some things we still need to improve on.
“The defense played well, was aggressive, and we had a lot of players running to the ball. Sophomore quarterback Ed Stockett also did some good things. We didn’t ask him to do a lot, but what we did ask, he did well.”
McKeesport will scrimmage Erie McDowell and Penn Hills on Friday. the Tigers open the season Sept. 4 against Ohio power Steubenville at Woodland Hills’ Wolvarena.
Steubenville will have played a game before the teams meet.
“We have to just continue to work on the basics,” Ward said.
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