JOHN MALECKI

SCHOOL: Franklin Regional.

WHO IS HE?: One of the best linemen in Western Pennsylvania football. Malecki plays guard and defensive tackle for the Panthers (13-1), who will face General McLane (12-0) in the PIAA Class AAA semifinals at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Slippery Rock University.

THE PAST WEEK: A 6-foot-3, 270-pounder, Malecki helped Franklin Regional thump Selinsgrove, 35-7, in the quarterfinals Saturday. In a key play early in the second quarter, he made a kickout block that toppled two Selinsgrove defenders, enabling quarterback Lenny Gallo to race 23 yards for a touchdown to break a scoreless tie.

CAREER: Malecki, a senior, has started on both lines for three seasons. He switched from offensive tackle to guard this year.

Though often double-teamed, Malecki has been outstanding on defense this season, with more than 90 tackles plus 10 sacks. He is expected to play defense at Pitt

ON AN UPSWING: Franklin Regional is a WPIAL champion and PIAA playoff participant for the first time in football. The Panthers' chances of advancing appeared to be dashed in the WPIAL final two weeks ago, when quarterback Brad Phillips was injured. But, with Gallo under center, the Panthers responded with a 31-14 victory against Thomas Jefferson, then the impressive win against Selinsgrove.

"You could say we've been peaking the last two weeks," Malecki said.

MR. FOOTBALL: Panthers coach Greg Botta has been coaching in the WPIAL in some capacity for three decades. He calls Malecki "the best defensive lineman I've ever seen [in high school]. He dominates on defense and pushes people around on offense."

Botta marvels at Malecki's dedication to his only varsity sport. "He's just a blue-collar, hard-nosed football player who takes a lot of pleasure in the game. He lifts weights and eats and breathes football."

FUTURE: Malecki made a verbal commitment to Pitt April 2 and isn't wavering on that decision despite the Panthers' 5-6 season.

"I've always loved Pitt," he said. "I'm looking forward to stepping in and playing, even as a freshman."

-- By Rick Shrum