After decades of inconsistency, the Derry Area football team enjoyed unprecedented success during a four-year stretch recently. The pinnacle came when the Trojans reached the WPIAL Class 3A Championship Game at Heinz Field in 2018. While countless players played roles in achieving that success, it’s hard to find anyone who had a bigger impact than Justin Flack, who produced a record-setting campaign. Now a top offensive performer at Waynesburg University, Flack is the latest feature on the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

Flack cracked the varsity roster at Derry Area as a freshman during the 2015 season. That year, the Trojans improved drastically, finishing with a winning record, including a 5-3 mark in conference play.

In 2016, the Trojans were one of the biggest stories in the entire WPIAL, as they went a perfect 7-0 in conference play, and qualified for the Class 3A postseason. In the quarterfinals, the Trojans edged Central Valley 33-20. The breakthrough season ended with a 46-20 loss to Aliquippa in the semifinals, as the Trojans finished at 11-1.

The following year, Derry Area went 6-1 in conference action, and again qualified for the WPIAL Class 3A postseason. However, the Trojans fell to Quaker Valley in the quarterfinals, concluding the campaign with a mark of 9-2.

In 2018, Flack and the Trojans achieved history. As the primary running back, Flack compiled 1,334 yards rushing, and scored 38 touchdowns. He also showed his versatility, recording a team-best 10 catches for 275 yards, completing five passes for 53 yards, and snagging five interceptions in the secondary defensively. His play was a catalyst for the Trojans going 7-1 in conference action, and returning to the 3A playoffs. From there, DA smashed Central Valley 46-0, and then scored an unforgettable come-from-behind win against North Catholic, 36-29, in the semifinals. Down 29-28 with two minutes remaining, Flack made what some call the biggest play in the history of Derry Area athletics as he intercepted a pass and made an incredible return for a touchdown to give the Trojans the historic victory. Competing in the first WPIAL title game in program history, the Trojans came up short against Aliquippa 42-19, finishing with a record of 11-2.

Following his graduation, Flack initially matriculated to the University of Mount Union, but quickly transferred to Waynesburg University, which competes in the NCAA Division III Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC). Playing as a runner back, Flack appeared in all 10 games in 2019, including three starts. During that action, he posted a team-leading 174 carries for 778 yards and four touchdowns, while adding eight catches for 41 yards and another score. For his efforts, Flack was named All-PAC Honorable Mention. Collectively, the Yellow Jackets struggled, going just 1-9, including a mark of 1-8 in PAC play.

The 2020 fall season was postponed because of COVID, but the conference opted for an abbreviated campaign this past spring. Flack played in four contests, leading Waynesburg with 82 carries for 480 yards and four touchdowns, as well as four grabs for 33 yards. He garnered First-Team All-PAC honors as an all-purpose player. The Yellow Jackets failed to register a win, however, going 0-5 in the conference-only season.

Now a junior, Flack continues to lead the offense, as he has compiled 63 carries for 344 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, along with two receptions for 15 yards. Additionally, he’s returned two kickoffs, averaging 28.0 yards per attempt. The Yellow Jackets are currently 1-2, including 1-1 in the PAC, winning their most recent game against Thiel College.

Justin dedicated time to answer questions about the benefits of the unusual spring season, the biggest factors in the Trojans’ historic success, and which NFL legend with whom he’d like to play.

Q: You led Waynesburg in rushing as a freshman, and earned All-Conference honorable mention accolades. How were you able to make such an impact in your first year?

A: Coming in as a freshman, I worked hard throughout the off-season knowing that the competition would only become better. For me as a freshman, the best thing I could do was to watch, listen, and to learn behind the other running backs who were in front of me. I think the biggest thing was to take the coaching and apply that in practices and eventually the games when I had my chance. The starting running back, Chad Walker, was extremely supportive in teaching me the ins and outs of the offense; most importantly, footwork and how to read defenses.

Q: What have been your biggest areas of improvement from the start of your college career to now?

A: Some of the things that I have improved on since the start of my college career have been improving in the weight room; getting my body stronger to endure the length of the season. Lifting has always been a focal point in my off-season routine. My high school head coach was a big advocate of getting guys in the weight room, and that has stuck with me through college. This off-season, I also focused heavily on agility drills to improve on my foot speed accelerating through holes.

Q: What are your best qualities as a football player?

A: I think my best quality as a player is toughness - that's the brand of football I was brought up on.

Q: What was the importance of having a spring season after the traditional fall schedule was cancelled last year?

A: I think having the spring season was huge for our team because of how young we are. Since we are a young team, I thought it was really good for guys to get their feet wet. I know for me, being able to play as a young guy on varsity was a big help in developing game skills.

Q: Waynesburg's roster is filled with players from Western Pennsylvania. Which of them did you know before becoming teammates?

A: I didn't know any of them personally prior to arriving here, but some of the guys who I've played against were: Bo Ruffner from Greater Latrobe - that was always the big rivalry game, and we have some great memories playing against each other, and Quintin Mapstone out of Brownsville - that was always a tough game when we played them; low scoring, hard nosed football games.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Waynesburg?

A: Coach Smithley and Coach Moore were big advocates in the recruiting process in coming to this school. They really communicated with me a lot throughout my high-school season and throughout the off-season to get me here. I think the biggest factor was their criminal justice program, the class sizes being small, and the close bonds that are created through a smaller university. Also, the town of Waynesburg reminds me of my hometown – small, tight-knit community that cares not only about the football program, but also the rest of the sports offered to the students.

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

A: I am currently a criminal justice major. I am not entirely sure what profession I want to pursue when I graduate college, but I am leaning towards state trooper, corrections officer, something that has to deal with law enforcement. However, I also want to get into coaching, either at the high-school level or the collegiate level. Football has been my passion ever since I was a little kid and I still have that same fire as I had when I was younger and I feel that would continue even if I decided to get into coaching.

Q: What has been the most difficult aspect of being a student athlete during the pandemic?

A: The most difficult aspect of the pandemic for me has been the all the testing required throughout the season and having to wear masks during lifts and meetings.

Q: You were part of a historic run for Derry Area football. What were the biggest factors in the Trojans' success?

A: The biggest factors that led to our historic run was first the coaching that we got week in and week out. Coach (Tim) Sweeney and the coaching staff gave us a solid game plan every week; they pushed us to be the best on the field every day. As a team, we all bought into his coaching style and played together 11 as one. You can't forget about the 2015 team that started the turnaround. They built the foundation of what Coach Sweeney set, and it was our job as incoming freshman to continue to build off that hard work they started, and to continue to burn the torch brighter each year. The community support was really a big advocate of our success as well, no matter how far the game was, hot, cold, rain, or shine, we knew we could count on them to be there.

Q: What was your fondest high school memory?

A: My fondest memory of high school was making the WPIAL championship my senior year.

Q: If you could play with or against any football player, past or present, who would you choose?

A: There are numerous players who I could choose to play with, but the one person I would choose is Troy Polamalu. Arguably one of the best safeties in NFL history, the way he approached the game was inspirational to me. When I played safety in high school, I would watch his highlight film to grasp a better concept of how to play that position. However, I never quite got to the leap over the offensive line move down.

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

A: Rituals and superstitions are big for some players. For me, I always go out to eat the night before a game to get a solid meal in and, believe it or not, I do yoga the night before the game. Other than that, I'm not a huge ritual, superstition person when it comes to preparation.

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

A: There's not a doubt I would choose my grandfather’s chili. I keep telling him he has to start selling it because it's that good!