Grant offers reliable leg to Quaker Valley football team

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, October 16, 2017 | 11:00 PM

Placekicking has been a snap for Landon Grant in his first season on the Quaker Valley football team.

Grant, a senior, is perfect on his first 16 extra-point attempts for the Quakers.

Grant, 18, of Sewickley, splits his time between football and soccer, in which he stands out.

“Before the (soccer) season started, many guys were talking about how they needed a kicker,” Grant said. “(Football coaches) came up to me after practice and asked if I wanted to try and kick some.

“I really enjoyed it. It's been pretty awesome so far.”

Quakers football coach Jerry Veshio said Grant is powerful.

Grant had not tried a field goal entering Friday's 22-7 loss to Aliquippa, but Veshio said he would not hesitate to use him from 40-yard range.

Grant, a 20-plus goal scorer for the Quakers boys soccer team this season, is exact.

“A stronger side to my soccer game is my ability to be so precise with short and long passing,” he said.

The hardest thing, he said, has been adjusting to a different shape of ball.

“Finding the best point of contact, which is somewhat different for certain occasions, was something I just had to learn with practice,” he said.

Retired longtime Quaker Valley boys soccer coach Gene Klein said it is common for Quakers soccer players to take up football.

He said Grant, who played for him as a freshman, is a talented athlete.

Current Quaker Valley boys soccer coach Andrew Marshall said he is proud of Grant.

Grant, who is 5-foot-9, plans to play soccer in college, but said he would consider football if an opportunity presented itself.

Grant looks forward to the postseason.

In soccer, he said, he wants to lead the top-ranked Quakers (15-1, 10-1 Section 4-AA) to their second consecutive WPIAL Class AA title and the PIAA crown.

The Quakers lost by one goal in the PIAA final a year ago.

In football, he said, “I just want to help the boys get to Heinz Field and win it all,” referring to the WPIAL Class AAA championship game.

The Quakers fell to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the Class 3A Beaver Valley Conference after Friday's loss to the No. 1-ranked Quips.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

Tags: Quaker Valley