Carmen Metcalfe was involved in a couple of the greatest seasons in Penn-Trafford athletics history. Metcalfe was a member of the Warriors football team that won the first WPIAL and PIAA titles in 2021, and he was also on the baseball team when it claimed the district title on the diamond in 2024. In his first year as a college football player, Metcalfe witnessed one of the best seasons in the storied history of Slippery Rock University. Now a starter on the Rock’s defense, Metcalfe is in the spotlight for this edition of the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

Metcalfe was a freshman at Penn-Trafford in 2020, when the Warriors went 6-2 overall, including a perfect 4-0 in the conference, during an abbreviated season. Penn-Trafford qualified for the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs, and defeated Upper St. Clair before falling to Pine-Richland in the semifinals.

The following year was one for the ages for the Warriors, and Metcalfe played a role in it, registering four tackles. That campaign, PT went 13-2 overall, including 5-0 in the conference. Back in the Class 5A postseason, the Warriors bested Fox Chapel Area and Pine-Richland to advance to the title game. Playing at Heinz Field, Penn-Trafford edged Moon Area 24-21 to secure the WPIAL Class 5A Championship, the first in team history. From there, the Warriors advanced to the state bracket, defeating Exeter Township to reach Hershey. Facing Imhotep Charter Institute, the Warriors prevailed 17-14 in an overtime thriller to claim the PIAA Class 5A Championship.

In 2022, Metcalfe emerged as a top player on both sides of the ball for Penn-Trafford. He registered 17 receptions for 248 yards and a pair of touchdowns at receiver, while compiling 20 tackles, four interceptions, and a forced fumble in the secondary, which earned him All-Conference accolades. The Warriors achieved a mark of 6-5 overall, including 3-2 in the conference. In the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs, they lost to Pine-Richland in the quarterfinals to conclude the season.

As a senior in 2023, Metcalfe posted 47 grabs for 574 yards and two scores, while he amassed 49 tackles and one interception on defense, and was once again named All-Conference at defensive back. The Warriors went 5-6 on the year, but compiled a 4-1 mark in the conference. Thus, they returned to the WPIAL Class 5A postseason, where they came up short against Penn Hills in the quarterfinals to wrap up the year.

In addition to his success on the gridiron, Metcalfe also lettered twice apiece in basketball and baseball, highlighted by the Warriors 2024 WPIAL Class 5A baseball crown.

His athletic future was in football, however, as he matriculated to Slippery Rock University as a defensive back beginning in 2024. In his first year on campus, Metcalfe redshirted but played in three games, notching one tackle. Collectively, Slippery Rock went 12-2 overall, including 5-1 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West. Receiving an at-large bid in the NCAA Division II Playoffs, The Rock edged the University of New Haven, outlasted Kutztown University in overtime, and redeemed their lone regular-season setback by ousting California University of Pennsylvania. In the NCAA DII semifinals, Slippery Rock came up short against Ferris State University, capping one of the best seasons in program history.

Last season, Metcalfe became a key piece of the SRU defense, playing in 10 games, including three starts. In those contests, he registered 23 tackles, one interception, and three passes defensed. Slippery Rock posted a mark of 6-4 overall, including 3-3 in the PSAC West, failing to qualify for postseason play.

This year, Metcalfe has played in all four games, notching 17 tackles and a fumble recovery. Thus far, The Rock is 4-0, winning its PSAC West opener last weekend.

Despite his busy schedule, Carmen set aside time to respond to questions about some of the hidden responsibilities for a safety, the best qualities of his high school football coach, and the place he’d most like to go for a vacation.

Q: How have you evaluated your play thus far this season?

A: I think I have been pretty efficient in doing my job and helping put myself and my teammates in the best position to win. I always want to continue improving each week, but I feel like I have been doing my job and contributing to the team in the ways I need to.

Q: You played in three games in your first year but emerged as a starter last season. What was the biggest adjustment you made during that time?

A: The biggest adjustment was developing the “want to” to learn the defense inside and out. I wanted to know exactly what I was supposed to do in every situation and put myself in a position to make plays. The more I learned the defense and understood my role, the more I was able to earn the trust of my coaches and teammates.

Q: What are some of the underappreciated responsibilities of playing safety?

A: A lot of people probably look at safeties and think our main job is just making plays in the secondary, but there is a lot more to it. You have to communicate with everyone on the defense, get guys lined up, understand what the offense is trying to do, and make sure you are in the right position to help your teammates. You have to be able to see the whole field and make decisions quickly.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of playing in the PSAC?

A: Definitely the week-to-week competition. You know you are going to get every team's best every week, so you have to be ready to play your best football every Saturday. There really aren't many weeks where you can take your foot off the gas, and that makes the competition fun.

Q: The Rock made a deep playoff run in 2024. What were the biggest keys to that success?

A: I think the biggest keys were our preparation, our chemistry, and the way everyone bought into their role. We had a lot of guys who were willing to do whatever it took for the team to be successful. We trusted each other, played physical, and stayed focused on taking things one game at a time. That kind of preparation and team mentality helped us make that run.

Q: What team and individual goals have you established for this season?

A: Individually, my goal is to be an All-Conference player and continue making plays that help the team win. As a team, our goal is to have another successful season and make a deep run in the playoffs. We know that takes a lot of work throughout the season, so we are focused on getting better every week.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Slippery Rock?

A: There were a couple of things that really stood out to me. I liked the grit and competitive nature of Slippery Rock and the winning culture here. I also was really interested in the safety management program, so it was a great fit for me, both athletically and academically.

Q: What is your major, and ideal future profession?

A: I am majoring in safety management. Ideally, I want to have a successful career somewhere in the safety field after I graduate.

Q: What has been your most enjoyable college class thus far?

A: Probably one of my construction or energy classes. I enjoy learning about those areas because they connect well with what I am studying in safety management and what I could potentially do in my career.

Q: You played under longtime coach John Ruane at Penn-Trafford. What are his best qualities?

A: Coach Ruane's biggest quality is his determination to push you to become a better person every day. He always wanted you to be a better man off the field than you were on it, and he really cared about preparing his players for success in the future. He was also a great players' coach and did a really good job building relationships with his players. He cared about you beyond just football, and I think that is something that really stands out about him.

Q: What was your fondest high school memory?

A: There are definitely a few that stand out. Winning the WPIAL and state championship in football my sophomore year was really special, especially because it was Penn-Trafford's first state football championship. Then in my senior year, winning the WPIAL baseball championship was another great memory because it was the school's first WPIAL championship in baseball. Being part of those teams and being able to make history at Penn-Trafford with my teammates are memories I'll always have.

Q: Who was the best individual player you faced in high school?

A: I'd say Scoop Smith (of Woodland Hills). He was one of the best individual players I had to go up against in high school.

Q: Do you have any superstitions or rituals before, during, or after a game?

A: I don't have too many crazy rituals, but I do have to wear the same undershirt and the same socks every game. That's probably about as superstitious as I get.

Q: To which movie or TV show can you recite nearly every line?

A: Money Heist. I've watched it enough that I know it really well and can probably recite a lot of the lines.

Q: What is your favorite vacation spot, or a place you've always wanted to visit?

A: My favorite vacation spot is Clearwater, Florida. It's always a great place to relax and enjoy the beach. But if I could pick a dream vacation, I'd love to go to Italy.