Penn-Trafford RB continues tradition
Tri-State Sports & News Service
John Gay III was one of the WPIAL’s top running backs about four decades ago and went on to play that position at the Division I level. Like father, like son. Penn-Trafford’s John Gay IV signed with Air Force last week, choosing the Falcons over offers from Navy and Robert Morris. Gay (6 feet, 190 pounds) was recruited to play running back. He rushed for 1,285 yards and scored 19 touchdowns his senior season when he helped Penn-Trafford reach the WPIAL final for the third time in school history.
Air Force, which annually has one of the most run-heavy offenses in the FBS, began recruiting Gay in the fall. Coach Troy Calhoun offered Gay a scholarship while at an in-home visit in December and Gay visited the school in early January.
“Really, it was the people, it was Colorado, everything felt right,” Gay said of his decision. “I felt like it was a real good atmosphere for me. I felt like it was the best fit not only for football, but for school.”
Running talent is in the Gay family genes. John Gay III was a standout running back at Gateway and later played at Kentucky and West Virginia. His father, John II, was a star running back at Braddock High in the 1950s.
Gay became the second WPIAL running back from this class to commit to a service academy. McKeesport’s Carlinos Acie signed with Navy.
Penn-Trafford will have a former player playing at each of the three FBS service academies. Will Schumacher (Army) and Michael Pifer (Navy) are the others.
Kennedy to JUCO
will continue his career at Lackawanna College in Scranton. Kennedy (5-10, 175) will likely play defensive back and hopes to use his two years at Lackawanna to focus on his academics before potentially landing an FBS scholarship.
“He’s a great player and his athletic ability is just off the charts,” said Jeannette coach Roy Hall. “The sky’s the limit for him. Pitt, Penn State, wherever. I think he could play in the Big Ten.”
Kennedy led Jeannette to WPIAL and PIAA Class 1A titles his senior season. He passed for 1,462 yards and 25 touchdowns, rushed for 1,356 yards, and scored 29 touchdowns. Defensively, he had 12 interceptions.
Norwin’s Tevin Thrift also committed to Lackawanna.
Football commitments
Penn-Trafford’s Nick Tarabrella (Ashland), Thomas Jefferson’s Logan Burnsworth (California), Allderdice’s Tyrell Minniefield (Clarion), Freeport’s Matt Charlton (Clarion), Freeport’s Austin Kemp (Clarion), Kiski Area’s Ross Greece (Clarion), Montour’s Byron Payne (Clarion), Highlands’ Jermaine Jett (Edinboro), Allderdice’s Raekwon Caldwell (Glenville State), Quaker Valley’s Oliver Funk (Grove City), Shaler’s Parker Kilgore (Grove City), Fox Chapel’s Luke Brown (John Carroll), Montour’s Torry Fisher (Lock Haven), Brentwood’s Austin Veatch (Marietta), Thomas Jefferson’s Garret Fairman (Robert Morris), Franklin Regional’s Bryce Lauer (Towson), Thomas Jefferson’s Justin Vigna (Walsh), Riverside’s Woodrow Hughes (West Liberty), Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic’s Joe Meinert (Westminster), Clairton’s Anthony Pruitt (Wheeling Jesuit).
Basketball commitment