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Running rampant: Tecza characterizes Mt. Lebanon football mantra

By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 7 min read
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Alex Tecza has shaken off many tackles this season on his way to becoming the one of the top running backs in the WPIAL. 

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Mt. Lebanon running back Alex Tecza sidesteps a pair of tacklers on his way into the end zone during a game against Upper St. Clair this season.

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Alex Tecza

When Mt. Lebanon football coach Bob Palko describes Alex Tecza, he doesn’t start with the size, speed or strength that has transformed him into one of the top rushers in the WPIAL.

Palko begins with Tecza’s character.

“First of all, the thing that really makes you feel good is how good a kid and unbelievable teammate Alex is,” said Palko. “He has an unassuming shy side but a quite confidence about him. He knows what he can do but he is not paralyzed by how good he is. It doesn’t affect him because he is such a nice kid that enjoys the fun, simple things in life.

That’s what makes it awesome to be around him,” the coach added. “Not a lot of kids think like him and that’s another refreshing and cool quality about him as a person.”

Tecza knows there are a variety of reasons for his success.

Heading into a critical contest with Central Catholic Oct. 8, Tecza had 718 yards rushing on 75 carries for a 9.6-yard average and 10 touchdowns. Tecza ranked eighth in rushing in the WPIAL and No. 1 in Class 6A, the league’s highest classification.

“To be honest, my success is due to our line. My name, Joey’s (Daniels) and Eli’s (Heidenreich) always make it into the news but without them, we would have no success,” Tecza said. “I get credit but it’s all on them and the receivers who also block. The linemen have been the big dogs.”

Senior James Cline centers the line around Owen Halter, who will play at Middlebury College in Vermont next year, and Division I prospects Kade Capristo and William Harvey. Joey Peters is the newest member of an experienced line, having replaced Cooper Austin, who tore his ACL during last spring’s lacrosse season.

Tecza said he often foots the bill for the hungry linemen after victories. Lebo’s favorite postgame eatery is Primanti Brothers and they down their share of burgers and chicken tenders.

“They can eat whatever they want and I’ll buy,” Tecza said. “They are a big part of this team and we all know what they do. They have the hardest part. When they do their job we all go. The o-line gets credit for mine and the team’s success this season.”

Tecza attributes his start in sports to his parents.

His mother, Dana, excelled in equestrian, swimming and cheerleadering while growing up in State College. A Lock Haven University graduate, she teaches at Mt. Lebanon School District’s Lincoln Elementary. She also instructs and coaches at T2 Crossfit in Bridgeville.

His father, Randall, played football at Allegheny College and Lock Haven after a tenure as a three-sport athlete at Cathedral Prep in Erie. He started Alex in a flag football league before his introduction to tackle football in first grade.

“My parents were always athletic and they kept me motivated and going,” said Tecza. “My dad made me fall in love with the game. I love football and being a running back. It’s something I’ve done my whole career and now I’m a defensive back like my dad. He played that position too.”

Versatility is one of Tecza’s primary strengths.

Tecza has been utilized as a running back, quarterback and wide receiver. In fact, he is tied for second on the team, behind Heidenreich, in receiving with eight catches for 50 yards. He is also deadlocked with Heidenreich in scoring with 60 points.

He has also embraced his position in the Blue Devils’ defensive backfield as a strong safety.

“I love it, the freedom,” he said. “You get to line up where you want and make plays where you want. I love offense and carrying the football but there is something about playing defense. Coming down and making a tackle feels good. Learning the plays is a lot of fun, too.”

In addition to football, Tecza enjoys lacrosse.

“It translates well to football because it helps with hand-eye coordination, quickness, strength and conditioning,” he said. “It helps with other things too like processing information and multi-tasking.”

In the classroom, Tecza processes data to the tune of a 4.3 GPA. A member of the National Honor Society, he has grabbed the attention of academic institutions such as Dartmouth, Delaware, Fordham, Colgate, Holy Cross, Robert Morris and Duquesne universities as well as the United States Military and Naval Academies. He visited Annapolis and watched the Midshipmen drop a 23-3 decision to the Air Force Sept. 11.

Tecza made the visit with Heidenreich, who since committed to Navy.

“It was a cool experience,” said Tecza said, who noted he has two grandparents who served in the military. “People should go through (serving their country) sometime in their lives.”

In the meantime, Tecza wants what all the Blue Devils want: a championship. The Blue Devils have not won a WPIAL title since 2000, when they beat Woodland Hills for the WPIAL Class 4A trophy.

“Aside from winning the WPIAL, I have not set any goals for the season. Numbers speak for themselves so whatever yardage I gain is good enough if we reach my goal for a championship,” Tecza said.

Whether on the gridiron or in life, Palko predicts such an attitude will translate into success for Tecza

“Alex is like all the kids that I have. It’s not about one person,” he said. “It’s them playing for each other and they applaud the success that everybody has. There is no jealously. That’s the most beautiful thing. Hopefully we are changing the way people think. All individual success takes care of itself. If you trust the process, they will all get there. But, it’s so much more fun when you do it together.”

Age: 17

Parents: Dana and Randall

Siblings: Taylor, 15, and Addison, 10

School: Mt. Lebanon

Year: Senior

GPA: 4.3

Sports: Football, lacrosse

Clubs: National Honor Society

College choices: Navy, Army, Delaware, Dartmouth, Holy Cross, Colgate, RMU, Duquesne

Career choice: Businee, medicine or engineering

Color: Blue

Food: “I’m not a picky eater. I am a big Italian food fan and I love barbecue.”

Restaurant: Carbonara Ristorante

Movie: “McFarland, USA”

Book: “Hacksaw Ridge”

Athlete: Saquon Barklay

People might be surprised to know this about you: “I love to fish and golf. They are the two things I love to do outside of football. They allow you to get outdoors and clear your head.”

Person you would like to have dinner with: Kevin Hart. “He’s such a funny guy. Cool and entertaining.”

Life lesson sports has taught you? Trust and family.  “The brotherhood and trust we developed among our teammates is something I will remember forever. It’s super important. Such a huge life lesson.”

After a four-game home stand, Mt. Lebanon takes a road trip to Norwin for a Quad County Conference clash at 7 p.m. Oct. 15.

The Blue Devils ran their record to 6-0 after thumping North Allegheny, 51-20, and before taking on top-ranked Central Catholic Oct. 8.

The game against the Vikings ended too late to be included in this edition.

The win on Oct. 1 was the first time Lebo trumped the Tigers since being placed in the same conference. NA had won the previous six meetings. 

“It’s super, super crazy that we have not beaten them since 2005 but doing so helps show us that we have a shot at winning 6A. Everybody talks about teams like NA, Central and Seneca (Valley) but why not us?” said Lebo running back Alex Tecza.

“It’s been absolutely crazy and a great atmosphere around here,” he continued. “Everybody is coming out and playing hard and with confidence. As a result, we are rolling.”

Tecza rolled up 201 yards rushing and three scores against NA. He also grabbed a three-yard scoring strike from Joey Daniels.

Daniels completed 12 of 17 passes for 164 yards. He tossed two additional touchdown passes to Eli Heidenreich of 10 and 25 yards and scored once on a one-yard plunge into the end zone.

Noah Bhuta converted six extra points and a 35-yard field goal.

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