A couple of the classmates Zack Hayward ate lunch with the past school year at Blackhawk High School are headed to NCAA Division I colleges for athletics.

Hayward, meanwhile, will play football at Division III Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio.

Which means Hayward probably stands a better chance than any of his buddies of earning an NCAA championship ring.

The Mount Union Purple Raiders are to the Division III ranks what the Steelers are to the NFL's North Division. Mount Union has won 10 NCAA Division III football titles, including one last season.

That's one of the things about Mount Union that attracted Hayward, who started for Blackhawk the past two seasons and guided the Cougars to the WPIAL Class AAA final last fall.

"When I was a sophomore, we went out there for a passing scrimmage and I liked the campus," Hayward said. "But really, I had no idea how big football was out there until then.

"I like the coaches a lot and the atmosphere there [for games] was nuts. People show up early and tailgate and they fill their stadium. It reminded me a lot of Blackhawk because we have people here who show up early on Friday nights for games and tailgate."

Because of his outstanding senior season -- Hayward completed 148 of 236 passes for 1,980 yards, with 25 touchdowns and just five interceptions, and ran 59 times for 88 yards and two scores -- and size -- he's 6 feet 3 and 175 pounds -- there were thoughts Hayward would end up playing football for a Division I college program.

Saint Francis from Loretto, Pa., showed interest and had a connection with former Blackhawk standout Matt Parker, who grew up with Hayward.

"First it was Marshall and Duke, and when they fell through Saint Francis became interested," he said. "Then it was between Saint Francis and Mount Union."

Saint Francis plays in the Division I-AA Northeast Conference along with Robert Morris and Duquesne.

"I visited Saint Francis and I liked the school and everything, and I had friends there ... Matt and I have known each other since we were 2 or 3," Hayward said. "But I just felt more comfortable at Mount Union."

Blackhawk coach Joe Hamilton said Mount Union is a nice fit for Hayward. One reason is because Hayward likes to win.

"It came down to Saint Francis and Mount Union and it was obvious he was interested in them because he said at one point, 'They win a lot, huh?' And the more he looked at the school and the team, the more he liked it," Hamilton said.

Mount Union quarterback Greg Micheli guided the Purple Raiders to a Stagg Bowl victory and the Division III title last season. He has graduated and Kurt Rocco, who is 6-6, 215, appears to be the heir, but there were five freshmen quarterbacks on the roster at the start of last season.

Hayward doesn't have any problems sitting and learning for a season or two. But he is also looking forward to getting a jump on his freshman season.

"It's only about an hour drive out there and the offensive terminology they have is very similar to what we used at Blackhawk," he said. "I'm going to go out there a couple Saturdays and throw so I'll get to know some of the guys. That way when I go to camp I'll know people."

The fact Mount Union isn't far away was also a key selling point to Hayward. He said his parents, relatives and friends would have made the trip to Loretto to watch him play, but to get to Mount Union, "All they have to do is go straight out the road. The only turn they make is the one into the campus."

Before he starts learning the Mount Union playbook, Hayward will play one more game in Beaver Falls. He is one of two quarterbacks -- Ellwood City's Joe Galmarini is the other -- on the Pennsylvania roster for the 30th annual Penn-Ohio Classic. The contest is 7:30 p.m. June 26 at Geneva College's Reeves Field.

"I'm looking forward to it and playing with a couple of my teammates for a last time," he said. "And I'm excited about playing for Mount Union."