Mar 31, 2026 By Eleanor Bailey 5 min read

During Spring Break, Nolan DiLucia, like any other college student, did his share of traveling.

“Nothing exotic,” he said. “The best place to be is in my home.”

Home, indeed, was where the heart was for the McMurray native. He spent Easter with his parents, Jennifer and Michael, as well as his older brother, Jake. A week earlier, he enjoyed quality time with the family but this time celebrating another feather in his cap as Peters Township quarterback.

On March 28, DiLucia, who enrolled at Villanova University in January, won the Willie Thrower Award, presented to the top high school football quarterback from the WPIAL and City League.

“I was very happy and excited to win this,” DiLucia said.

In its sixth year, the honor is named after the late Willie Thrower, the first Black quarterback to appear in an NFL game, with the Chicago Bears in 1953. Thrower began his career by helping lead the former New Kensington High School to WPIAL titles in 1946 and ’47, along with a runner-up finish in 1945. He was also the first Black quarterback in the Big Ten Conference, contributing to Michigan State’s 1952 national championship.

DiLucia beat out a group of finalists that included Upper St. Clair’s Ethan Hellmann as well as Pine-Richland’s Aaron Strader, Avonworth’s Carson Bellinger and North Catholic’s Joey Felitsky.

“All my hard work paid off,” DiLucia said. “It’s a good award to end my high school career.”

DiLucia enjoyed a prolific scholastic career. A three-time all-state selection, he etched his name in the record books.

He ranks No. 2 as the all-time passing leader in the WPIAL. His 8,819 career passing yards trail only South Fayette’s Brett Brumbaugh’s 11,084.

For his career, DiLucia accumulated 1,379 rushing yards and 17 TDs to add to his total of 81 passing touchdowns. Defensively, DiLucia had 211 career tackles and four interceptions.

In the fall, DiLucia led the Indians to the WPIAL Class 5A championship, engineering the biggest comeback in the league’s history. Peters Township rallied from a 19-0 halftime deficit to stun No. 1 Pine-Richland, 20-19, in the title game played Nov. 22 at Acrisure Stadium.

DiLucia also guided the Indians to a conference championship and a PIAA semifinal appearance. Peters Township finished 13-1 overall after falling to Bishop McDevitt of Harrisburg, 31-28, on a last-second field goal on Nov. 29 at Mansion Park in Altoona.

During the 2025 campaign, DiLucia passed for 2,782 yards and had 22 touchdowns to only six interceptions.

As pleased as he was to win the Willie Thrower Award, DiLucia was also a bit relieved. He had been nominated for the distinction two other times.

Fort Cherry’s Matt Sieg won the honor in 2024 and Central Catholic’s Payton Wehner was the 2023 recipient. Pine-Richland’s Cole Spencer (2020) and Armstrong’s Caden Olsen (2021 and 2022) were the other awardees.

“I would have been upset if I didn’t win,” he said. “I wanted to win at least one because this means a lot to me. It means that I’m the best in southwest Pennsylvania. It’s definitely one of my top awards and it also keeps me humble and working hard.”

Lifting the 29-pound trophy was a challenge. “It was really heavy. Heavier than I expected,” DiLucia said with a laugh. “I put it in my bedroom next to all my other words.”

DiLucia is currently working on the next set of awards and achievements in his career. While also attending classes at Villanova, he has been working out at quarterback for the Wildcats during spring football drills, which conclude April 17.

“It’s been smooth sailing,” DiLucia remarked. “It’s a lot of studying and learning a whole new playbook but I have been competing every day and getting comfortable. The college game is faster and I’m adjusting to that. I’m the brand new guy here so I have to work my way up.”

DiLucia said that he hoped to make “an impact” during his freshman year this autumn. He added that he is getting better every day.

“Right now we all are competing but the goal is just to win games. I want to win. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”

Under his tenure, Peters Township won a lot. 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.

If history repeats itself, then DiLucia will guide the Wildcats to many victories. He could also garner himself a few more awards.

As a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) school, he could eventually be eligible for the Walter Payton Award, which is the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy for FCS players. For now, he has his eye on the Jerry Rice Award, which is presented to the most outstanding freshman player at the NCAA Division I FCS level.

“I would be grateful for any award,” he said. “Having a perfect record though would be the real goal.”