Senior tackle Nick Stuchell brings throwback toughness to Jeannette football

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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It’s not hard to pinpoint the emotional leader of the Jeannette football team.

Look no further than senior Nick Stuchell.

The 6-foot, 220-pound two-way tackle said he loves the physical attack of the game. He has started every game since his freshman season.

“I like to hit people,” Stuchell said. “My leadership is the key. I have to make sure everyone is in line and knows the plays.

“I want to take this team back to the playoffs. I lead by example and by being vocal. You need to be vocal sometimes. I have to do the right things for everybody to follow.”

Jeannette third-year coach Tommy Paulone said Stuchell is a throwback.

“He has that old-school, bring-your-lunch-pail mentality that a lot of Jeannette alumni had,” Paulone said. “That makes him special. He’s level-headed and keeps the guys together. He’s one of two seniors on the roster, and the guys respect him a lot.

“His job is to eat holes and eat running backs. We need him to hold us together on the offensive line.”

Stuchell was part of the rebuild of the Jeannette program. The team won one game his freshman season, but he has seen the traditional power return to prominence.

“We expect every team we play is going to be good,” Stuchell said. “We can’t take anyone lightly. We have to be the best team possible.

“We’ve developed a great brotherhood. We all came together. It’s my job that we bring some of the freshmen along.”

Stuchell said he expects fellow senior Lonnie Greene to be a key player.

“Lonnie had offseason surgery, and he said he’s good,” Stuchell said. “I expect him to play well.”

He also expects junior Kymon’e Brown, an All-Eastern Conference selection, will have a good season.

“Actually, everyone on the team will be better,” he said. “We have more depth along both lines. We’re going to be better.”

Stuchell and Greene will be asked to anchor the offensive and defensive lines for the Jayhawks. If they do that, Jeannette fans should expect an exciting season.

“Nick and Lonnie grew up together,” Paulone said. “They are our seniors. They’ve developed a good chemistry.

“What Nick has done in the offseason has been impressive. He’s so athletic for a senior and dedicated himself in the weight room. He got skinnier and stronger. Imagine that. He moves well for a tackle and nose tackle.”

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Jeannette