Peters Township quarterback earns top Almanac award
DiLucia headlines All-Star list as MVP
Nolan DiLucia attended his last class at Peters Township High School on Dec. 19, but not because winter break began then.
No, DiLucia’s scholastic days are behind him. He’s ready to take the next step forward in his football career as a quarterback at Villanova University.
“I am very excited to start college and be a part of a program as special as Villanova,” said DiLucia. “I will miss this township but it’s a part of me forever so I am very grateful.”
Peters Township is forever indebted to DiLucia. For he has brought prominence to the community and its football program.
Under his tenure, the Indians sported a 45-8 record with two conference and district championships and a PIAA state runner-up trophy. As a signal caller, he was 39-4 overall.
“Nolan is the epitome of a winner. A kid you want as you build a championship program,” said Peters Township football coach TJ Plack. “He’s a leader on and off the field. He wants to win on every single play. He wants to be a champion all of the time.”
Plack added that spirit is “contagious” and compelled the Indians to heights not seen prior at Peters Township.
While a freshman starter in the secondary, DiLucia burst onto the scene as a quarterback at the tail end of a 6-4 season in 2022. He passed for 384 yards and three touchdowns while completing 37 of 71 aerials. He also tacked on two rushing touchdowns.
DiLucia didn’t stop until he etched his name in the record book. He finished his career as the No. 2 all-time passing leader in the WPIAL. His 8,819 career passing yards trailed only South Fayette’s Brett Brumbaugh’s 11,084 total.
The distinction means little to DiLucia in comparison to the victories.
“I never really pay too much attention to individual awards because I can’t accomplish those without everyone on this team,” he said. “I’m happy to have all my teammates because they help me become better everyday.”
Since his athletic career commenced as a 5-year-old T-ball player, DiLucia has grown into his leadership role and the best form of himself. 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.
When Plack took over as his mentor, DiLucia blossomed. He noted that Plack “played a huge role” in his development as well as confidence.
“He gave me the chance as a freshman and that meant a lot, because it showed he trusted me,” DiLucia said. “I love Coach Plack and am appreciative of all the things he’s done for me.”
By his sophomore season, DiLucia and the Indians were on top. 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.
As a junior in 2021, he quarterbacked the Indians to the WPIAL finals for the second straight season. They lost to Pine-Richland, 20-9, and finished 11-2 overall.
As a senior this fall, he and the Indians avenged all their losses. They wrested the conference title away from their rivals at Upper St. Clair and then waged the biggest comeback in WPIAL championship history to dethrone the Rams. They overcame a 19-point deficit to win, 20-19.
“My favorite moment has to be winning the WPIAL championship for the second time. Especially with our comeback story and how we just stayed relentless all game,” added DiLucia. “‘Toughest Team Wins’ is something we preach at Peters.”
DiLucia is tough in his own right. He did it all for the Indians, including long-snapping on punts.
“A four-year starter in a 5A program that also played safety and made our defensive calls is amazing in itself, but as a long snapper, he was terrific,” Plack said. “People wonder who this guy is but he was so tough. Battled so hard for us and never stopped fighting.”
When the Indians again found themselves behind, 20-10, in the semifinals of the PIAA tournament, DiLucia fought to bring the Indians back. They actually took a 25-20 lead, tied the game at 28 but lost on a last-second field goal to Bishop McDevitt, 31-28.
In the loss, DiLucia passed for 254 yards and two scoring strikes.
“We were relentless and never gave up,” DiLucia said. “I’ll never forget that. I’m grateful to have been a part of this team.”
DiLucia was a significant contributor to the 2025 squad. He completed 177 of 286 passes for 2,782 yards and 22 touchdowns while throwing only six interceptions. Additionally, he rushed for 272 yards and three touchdowns.
For his career, he accumulated 1,379 rushing yards and 17 TDs to add to his total of 81 passing strikes. Defensively, DiLucia had 211 career tackles and four interceptions.
He has accumulated every postseason award imaginable, all-conference, all-district, all-state and player of the year for the Observer-Reporter. He adds to his collection with the distinction as Almanac Most Valuable Player.
“Beyond blessed to receive this award,” he said. “I am very thankful for my family, teammates, and coaches because I would not have gotten this award without them.”
DiLucia also acknowledged the backing of the township and he was pleased to produce results everyone desired.
“I’m grateful to bring this community just amazing seasons,” enthused the 18-year-old son of Jennifer DiLucia. “I was so happy to be a part of it and do it with the guys I grew up with. Not a lot of people can say they have played with most of their teammates their whole lives but I can.
“The township gave our team so much support and throughout my four years a lot of people have grown to watch this football team. It brings me joy to know I’m a part of a team who people loved to watch not just because of how good our team was but how we all acted as young men.”
Now DiLucia is off to Villanova to bring more recognition to Peters Township. Based on his 4.2 scholastic QPA and his football numbers, he is projected to be a success in his business major and his athletic endeavors.
“Villanova is a great fit for Nolan,” Plack said. “He’ll do well there and so will his team because he hates to lose and he makes everyone around him better. He makes good decisions.”