The Spartans are preparing for a road matchup this Friday against Mount Lebanon, but one Spartan in particular is also readying himself for the collegiate level next season. Hempfield’s defensive end and offensive tackle, Daniel Sierk, has made his decision to continue his football career at Bucknell University next fall.

“I didn’t really see myself in a better position overall,” Sierk said of his commitment to Bucknell. “I love their coaches. They recruited me the hardest out of the three schools I had offers from. I felt like it was the right fit for me so no sense in waiting.”

Sierk was also very struck by the team’s culture and how they seemed to challenge their players in a variety of ways. “I hadn’t really heard that specifically from other schools," Sierk said of Bucknell. They really sat down and told me that’s something that they focused on, pushing guys on and off the field."

Sierk will be playing on the defensive line for the Bison next year. This season, the senior has been excelling on both sides of the ball, but there has been some change to his position on the field, as he was moved from tight end to offensive tackle heading into the year.

“It hasn’t been too much of an adjustment,” Sierk explained. “Last year, I’d get into the habit of being physical on defense and then being a little more relaxed on offense. You have to have your motor running the whole game, you have to be at full intensity.”

This season, the Spartans are 2-2 and Sierk has had a major impact offensively and defensively for this Hempfield Area team which a year ago finished 1-4 in the pandemic shortened season. In addition to the improvement on the field, Sierk has noticed a dramatic change in the culture on the football team under new head coach Mike Brown.

“I think everybody wants everybody else to succeed. No one is playing for themselves. In our wins we have played very well on the field, but our culture and our mindset I have really enjoyed that.”

Hempfield’s season won’t get any easier, as it has back-to-back road games coming up with Mount Lebanon and next week the Spartans travel to Canon-McMillan. Sierk is confident in this team’s ability to make a playoff run this year, but they need to stay focused and execute down the stretch.

“We just need to do our job. Everyone has one job each play and we have to execute it. If we can get guys to be accountable and to really focus in on what they need to do for the team, I think we should be alright.”

Westmoreland Recruiting News

• Derry Area senior Ryan Hood committed to Gannon University. Hood is a 6-4, 210-pound right-handed pitcher.