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AAA / PARKWAY: Another Posluszny is determined to make his mark at Hopewell
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
By Colin Dunlap, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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Lake Fong, Post-Gazette</td> </tr> <tr><td>
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Hopewell's David Posluszny is one of the top underclassmen defenders in the WPIAL.</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <!--END PHOTO-->
Takes one to know one.
So you should perk up and listen when Penn State senior linebacker Paul Posluszny uses what might be the mightiest of mighty football player descriptions.
"He'll be a stud," Posluszny said.
The square-jawed, cement-chested, Butkus Award winner was describing his younger brother, David.
A 6 foot 2, 208-pound junior safety at Hopewell, David Posluszny is heading into a season in which he's being touted as one of the top underclassmen defenders in the WPIAL.
The general sentiment is that he's forcing people to take notice not only because of the obvious family ties, but also because he's proven to be his own entity. In short, he's building his own reputation.
The proof is this -- he's coming off a year in which he was a unanimous all-Parkway selection and was picked for The Associated Press all-state second team.
"He's not afraid to put his hat on you," Blackhawk coach Joe Hamilton said, which in football parlance means Posluszny will wallop ballcarriers when given the opportunity.
But David Posluszny -- who also will play running back this year -- is aware that people look at the "Posluszny" portion of his name before the "David" part. And how could you not?
Paul's merits are well known at Penn State, as are that of his other older brother, Stan. One of the top hitters in West Virginia University history, Stan is chasing a baseball career and is a minor-leaguer in Seattle's system.
"Because of my last name, there is an obvious sense of pride, and I think people do notice me because of the name," David said. "But I never felt any pressure and I feel that what it really is, is that I have been given an advantage. [Stan and Paul] have taught me a lot of things and helped me in a lot of ways."
As has Hopewell coach Dave Vestal. His guidance and how he has pushed David Posluszny along is common knowledge.
"He's very lucky to have a great high school football coach like Dave Vestal," Paul said. "Because of that, he's able to prepare and see everything as college football players do."
One day not too distant, David Posluszny should be one of those college football players. The interest from a number of schools is ever growing. Common sense says he'll lean on his family for advice.
"If he asks for advice from me, I'll give it to him," Paul said of David. "I will tell him how things are. But, he's going to want to make a lot of decisions on his own. He's definitely his own person."
David Posluszny knows he has risen to a sought-after commodity, but he's also aware that there's a lot left to be accomplished at Hopewell.
"I've heard from a number colleges," he said, without going into specifics. "I've gone to a few camps, but I definitely want to take the process slow. I want to concentrate on playing high school football right now."
In doing so, he'll attempt to lead the No. 3-ranked Vikings where Paul did in 2002, to the WPIAL championship.
... Lots of PSU fans don't like their chances with David... Seems he may want to go somewhere out of his brother's shadow...