The names skill position players whom the Aliquippa High School football program has produced the past two decades reads like a roll call of exceptional athletes.

Ty Law, Josh Lay, Michael Washington, Darrelle Revis and Jonathan Baldwin, just to name a few.

But ask Aliquippa coach Mike Zmijanic what has really been the strong suit of the team's unbridled success during that span, his answer veers from players with speed and quickness to those with size and brute strength.

"The truth is, when we've been good, it's been because of our linemen," he said. "That's always been our strength."

With senior guard/defensive lineman Juantez Hollins spearheading the Quips' play in the trenches one final time this upcoming season, outstanding line play and victories look like they will once again go hand-in-hand for this traditional WPIAL powerhouse.

Hollins' name wasn't well known during his first three varsity seasons, but his 6-foot-4, 254-pound frame combined with surprising quickness for an athlete his size was enough to lure the interest of Division I coaches.

And then, when Hollins verbally committed to Pitt June 24, his name and word of his ability spread quickly.

Hollins became the third member of Pitt's current recruiting class who will be freshmen in the fall of 2009, and the first from Western Pennsylvania, a locality which Panthers head coach Dave Wannstedt has made his primary focus since taking over the reins of the program.

Hollins said he chose the Panthers over Akron, Marshall, Buffalo and Eastern Michigan.

He also became the latest Aliquippa lineman to earn a college scholarship, joining a group that includes the likes of Sean Gilbert and Monroe "Mo Mo" Weekley, as well as Cha'Mar Jones and Willie Walker, both of whom are starters at California University of Pennsylvania, a Division II power.

To reach that level, Hollins had to make enormous strides, something that correlated well with his enormous feet -- he wears a size 17 shoe. Hollins started on the Aliquippa offensive line as a freshman, but Zmijanic said it was basically by default. The Quips had lost a multitude of starters from a team that had just played in its second consecutive WPIAL Class AA championship game at Heinz Field.

Hollins, then a chubby and extremely raw ninth grader, was thrown into the fire early. But Hollins showed glimpses of potential that season, which helped him to hold onto his starting job the past two years, as well as earn him all-state honors last season.

While Hollins concedes he needs to become much stronger, his play, as well as the interest he received from colleges, has been fueled by his quickness.

"They like the way I move, and they love my footwork," Hollins said.

Agility has been just as important to Hollins as size, some of which has likely been sharpened by his experience playing for Marvin Emerson and the Quips basketball team.

"That's probably his best attribute, his ability to run," Zmijanic said. "There are a lot of big guys out there, but that's what separates him from the others."

What didn't separate Hollins from many of the Aliquippa standouts who preceded him was his commitment to Pitt. Aliquippa has sent several high-profile players to the school -- particularly in recent years -- and Hollins said he liked the fact he will be reuniting with former Aliquippa players Brandon Lindsey and Jonathan Baldwin.

Said Zmijanic: "I just think most of our kids are homebodies and don't want to travel too far. They feel real comfortable with the people [at Pitt]. Plus, with all the guys that have been there before, they feel comfortable."

Hollins said he is unsure which position the Pitt coaching staff is expecting him to play, but he has a hunch it will be at guard, a position where he is much more experienced. Although Hollins will be a four-year starter at guard, this will be the first time he starts on the Quips defensive line.

"It doesn't matter to me," Hollins said of his future role. "I just want to play."