Peters Township linebacker having the last laugh
Once shunned off the field, Reston Lehman of Peters Township is enjoying the last laugh. Since youth football, he has blossomed into a 6-4, 230-pound outside linebacker that is bound for the University of Pittsburgh after he completes his senior season for the Peters Township Indians.
“I was bullied out of the sport,” Lehman said. “Because I was smaller when I played in kindergarten, the kids picked on me. So, I quit.”
Because everybody was parading around “wearing their jerseys” to school, Lehman started playing football again in fourth grade. By his freshman year in high school, he was relishing the ultimate revenge. He was starting on the varsity squad while the kids who “bullied” him sat on the bench.
“It was a great feeling,” Lehman said.
The sentiment continued through his four years as a starter for the Indians. Not only has Lehman provided thrills on the gridiron, he has guided all of his teammates and the Peters Township program to heights never experienced.
As a sophomore, he helped the Indians capture their first-ever WPIAL championship. Peters Township finished 15-1 overall and as PIAA Class 5A runner-up as well that season.
Last fall, Lehman led the Indians to another berth in the WPIAL championship game. Peters Township lost to Pine-Richland in the Class 5A final and finished 11-2 overall.
“To get to this spot has taken a lot of really hard work,” Lehman said. “By working hard, you get what you deserve.”
Lehman’s efforts have garnered him all-state, all-district and all-conference laurels and the attention of many recruiters. He entertained scholarship offers from Penn State, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Missouri, UCLA and Wisconsin before picking Pitt as his college choice. He is tabbed as a defensive end for the Panthers.
“I liked the idea of staying close to home,” Lehman said. “I love Coach (Pat) Narduzzi and Tim Daoust, the defensive line coach. It seemed like an easy pick.
Four years ago, it seemed a simple option for Peters Township head coach TJ Plack to plug Lehman into a defense that has allowed only 10 points per game the past two seasons and 16 in 2022. Lehman has started 39 games so far in his career.
“Reston’s ferocious. He goes to the whistle and battles to the very end,” Plack said. “He moves extremely well, gets around the block, makes the big play and is a great leader.”
Plack added that Lehman could be one of the best players Peters Township has ever had.
Lehman comes by his talent naturally. His father, Chad, played lacrosse at Arizona State and Pitt.
His sister, Mackenzie, played on Peters Township’s state basketball championship team and broke lacrosse scoring records before excelling at Liberty University. She is currently studying nursing at Duquesne University.
His brother, Mark, whom Lehman said was his “biggest influence” played baseball at West Point and also joined the hockey team. He is a second lieutenant stationed in Colorado.
While he did dabble in hockey for a few years until he realized he “couldn’t stop on skates”, Lehman participated in lacrosse last spring and threw the javelin on the track team.
“Javelin’s a hobby,” Lehman said. “Lacrosse helped me a lot for football, especially with man-to-man coverage.”
Lehman’s coverage last season on the gridiron resulted in four sacks, 11 tackles for loss, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
In 2025, he hopes to increase those numbers. “Double digits sacks, 10 or more,” he said but added his emphasis is on the team.
“We wanted to be good as a whole. Being able to play the run and pass game, rush the quarterback and get takeaways.
“We want to win a WPIAL and state championship,” he continued. “So I have to be a leader in practice, workouts and on the field and make sure everybody is doing their job. We all need to put our heads down and work hard and stay consistent.”
Reston Lehman
Bio Box
Age: 18
Birthdate: April 18
Parents: Chad and Jenn
Siblings: Mark, Mackenzie
Year: Senior
Sports: Football, lacrosse, track
College choice: Pitt
Major: Business
Food: Flank steak, rice and broccoli. “It’s a delicious meal. My mom makes it.”
Restaurant: Fiori’s or Juniper Grill
Book: The Great Gatsby
Color: Blue & Gold
Athlete: T.J. Watt
Music: “I listen to house music, a bunch of numbers and remixes. Chill music basically to get me in the right mood to play. It calms me down.”
Did you know: Reston is a member of the Peters Township High School unified bocce team. “I love it because it brings a lot of kids together. It’s fun to do with them. I enjoy it.”
With whom would you like to have dinner: My grandma, Bonnie Lehman. “She passed away when I was young, but I heard she was awesome.”
Life lesson learned from sports: Discipline
People might be surprised to know this about you: “We are all close friends on the football team.”