Andrew Taglianetti

Central Catholic

Last week: Taglianetti rushed for 103 yards on 13 attempts as Central Catholic defeated Gateway, 35-34, to win the WPIAL Class AAAA championship at Heinz Field.

Check this out: Taglianetti, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound senior, was not counted on to play much at running back this season, but injuries forced him into the forefront. He needs only 7 yards rushing to reach 1,000 for the season. Taglianetti, also an outstanding defensive back, was offered a scholarship by Pitt Monday. Toledo, Towson and VMI also have offered. His twin brother, Jon, played at South Fayette. Their father, Peter, is a former Pittsburgh Penguin, and the Taglianetti sons are "stick boys" for Penguins home games, working with equipment in the locker rooms. Andrew Taglianetti hopes to be in the Secret Service someday.

What was it like to be part of that memorable championship game? It's one thing to win the WPIAL and to be in the books. But I know I'll remember this game the rest of my life. People come up to you and say, 'I've been watching football for 30 to 50 years and that's the best high school game I've ever seen.' Just to be a part of something like this is special. As happy as I am, I really respect Gateway for what they did.

Was that the hardest-hitting game you've been in? I had blood coming down my face at one point. My nose was bleeding. I woke up the next morning and couldn't walk because I had a thigh contusion. I had cuts all over me. Just from my standpoint, and the rest of the team, that was definitely the hardest-hitting game I've been in.

Did you ever play hockey? When I was younger I did. I played in South Fayette all the way up until seventh grade. But I've never really left hockey. I still play some and play in adult leagues over the summer.

With Central Catholic being an all-boys school, what is it like to not see girls all day? People say all the time, 'How do you go to school without girls? That's the point of high school.' It's really not the point. I don't notice that there aren't girls around. I like it. I can joke around with my friends and never have to worry about impressing a girl, worrying about whether my hair is perfect for them.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully graduated from college, in the Secret Service, and maybe starting a family at some point. But just living out what God has planned for me.