Aug 9, 2024 By Eleanor Bailey 5 min read

Nolan DiLucia looks to continue his dominance this fall at the quarterback position. Last season, he threw for over 3,000 yards to lead the WPIAL in passing.

WPIAL Class 5A football teams have Peters Township in its sights and quarterback Nolan DiLucia welcomes all challengers.

“In my opinion I think it is awesome to have a target on our backs,” said the 6-2, 195-pound junior. “I love when teams and people come after us. It just shows that you are good.”

The Indians certainly were tops in 2023. They won the conference championship as well as the district title. Their only loss in 16 games came against Imhotep Charter, 38-13, in the PIAA finals.

“Stings a little bit not getting that state championship,” DiLucia said. “Get all the way there and then you miss. Definitely one of our goals is to get back there. Bring it home this time.”

Keeping the Indians on that track falls squarely on the shoulders of DiLucia. He led the WPIAL in passing last fall with 3,111 yards on 229 completions for 33 touchdowns. Additionally, he rushed for 489 yards and eight more scores while claiming all-state, all-conference and player of the year accolades.

DiLucia accepts the X on his back. He welcomes the challenge.

“Definitely,” he said. “There is pressure on me. A lot of weight on my shoulders because as quarterback I have to lead the team,” he added.

“I like being in this position,” DiLucia continued. “I think I have good leadership skills and the way my guys look at me, I understand they want feedback and direction from me.”

According to PT’s coach TJ Plack, that was evident last fall. It should surface again this season.

“Last year, Nolan was our general. A commanding leader and extremely important,” Plack said.

“Nolan’s our alpha male leader,” Plack continued. “He’s held the attention of the players. He’s one of our impressive voices. He’s intelligent. He’ll have more on his plate this year but he flourishes under pressure.”

Since his athletic career commenced as a 5-year-old T-ball player, DiLucia has grown into his leadership role. He noted that his father was instrumental in molding his character. Michael DiLucia played football for one season at Baldwin before going on to play Division I baseball in college. A pitcher, he also dabbled in coaching before becoming his son’s youth manager.

“My dad showed me how to be a leader and how to do the right thing. Set the example,” DiLucia said. “He told me that if you want to be one of the best on the team and you are the quarterback, you have to carry a lot of weight on your shoulders. You have to be able to motivate your teammates and be in the right spot.”

In 2022, was in the right position to take control of the Indians’ offense. As a freshman, he made his debut as a starter late in a 6-4 campaign. DiLucia passed for 384 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 37 of 71 attempts. He also rushed for 53 yards and tacked on two more scores.

During his sophomore season, he was surrounded by talented receivers, not to mention defenders. His numbers swelled while the defense contained the opposition, posting five shutouts and allowing only 10 points per game.

While graduation was not kind to the Indians, DiLucia noted they have the ingredients to make another run at championships. There are conditions, however.

“We need to step it up,” he said. “As long as the guys who are going to be juniors and some that didn’t play because they were hurt and are going to be seniors, step up, I think we are going to be in great shape.”

DiLucia added that he has his share of responsibility in that process.

“I just have to motivate my guys to be great everyday,” he said. “Because I am the quarterback and in that role on offense, you are in charge of all the guys, I have to take charge and make sure everyone is in the right place at the right time. The guys look to me to see what we should do.”

DiLucia is looking to set the example, not statistical records. He is not seeking to put up any specific statistics.

“The only number I care about is our record,” he said. “No. 1 is all that matters to me.

“I know that if I play well and our team is doing good, then all those numbers, all those other things will come. I just want our team to win. That is all I care about.”

A renovated facility, complete with a new playing surface and lighting system at Confluence Financial Partners Stadium complete with relatively new uniforms (only worn once) for 2024 are nice but they will not interfere in Peters Township’s objectives.

“The lights might be those that change and the turf is awesome. Feels like carpet,” DiLucia enthused. “Getting new lights and turf shows that we accomplished so much but we have to keep playing the way we are capable of. We are not the same team as last year. We are different.

“We know teams are targeting us but we won’t use words to fight back, we will use our playing. If you play well and you win, then what are they going to say then? They really can’t pick on you at that point.

“It’s awesome to have a target,” DiLucia continued. “As long as our guys are ready, I think we will be good. We have the right players. As long as everyone steps up and does what they are fully capable of, then we can be successful. If our guys are ready to fight, I’m with them. I’m always with my guys.”