It’s been a busy summer on the gridiron for Norwin Knights football. With a multimillion-dollar renovation to the football field, and the team coming off a winning season, there certainly is excitement around the Class 6A program.

But for rising senior Max Fierle, there is another reason to celebrate football success. The Knights defensive lineman made his college commitment, settling on Sacred Heart University.

“This has always been my dream as a little kid,” said the future Pioneer. “I went through a season-ending injury - a lot of things in life I went through - I am just proud of myself that I was able to make it to this level.”

It boiled down to Sacred Heart and Georgetown for Fierle. When he went on his official visit to the Connecticut campus, he immediately felt at home. Combine that feeling with a strong football and academic program, and it was an easy sell for Fierle.

This dream for Fierle really became a goal early on in his career. When he hit middle school, he realized that he was able to do things on the field that others weren’t able to do quite as easily. When he found that purpose in football, it made him realize how much more he loved the game.

It hasn’t always been an easy journey for the Norwin defensive standout, however. After suffering a season-ending ACL injury on the first play of his sophomore year, Fierle had to grind his way back to full strength.

“I couldn’t stand not being out there with my brothers on the field,” he added. “I kept that in the back of my mind every time I went to a physical therapy session or I was lifting. I just kept working and working until I was back on the field.”

Once back on the field, he never looked back. Fierle was part of a much-improved Norwin defense that yielded a record of 7-4 overall, and 4-2 in a rugged Quad-County Conference. His play helped the Knights hold opponents to under 21 points six times during the season.

“Our seniors and linebackers really led that defense,” he noted. “We miss them now that they aren’t here. We came together like a family on the defense, and I think that was a reason for the success.”

There is much more Fierle wants to accomplish before heading north for college. After a 35-17 setback in the playoffs to powerhouse North Allegheny, the determination and hunger is already apparent during preseason workouts.

“It made us mad that we lost in the first round,” he shared. “Every day at our lifts, speed workouts, practices, we have it in the back of our mind we didn’t get to the level we could’ve reached.

With this added fuel, Fierle and the Knights could make a lot of noise in the WPIAL. But it’s his impact off the field that he hopes people remember for years to come.

“One of the things that I take seriously is school,” he discussed. “I really want to share with these football players and younger guys that school is just as important as football. Football is great and all, but what will get you far in life is your education.”