Perhaps no position in all of sports is more demanding than quarterback. At the professional and college ranks, QB almost always requires a full-time focus and commitment. However, Trevor Brncic has emerged as not just the starting quarterback at Allegheny College, but also the primary punter for the Gators. Brncic, who previously enjoyed a strong career at Franklin Regional, is under the microscope in this installment of the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

When Brncic was a freshman at Franklin Regional in 2017, the Panthers went 6-4 overall, including a 5-3 mark in the conference. In the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs, FR fell to Upper St. Clair in the quarterfinals to conclude the season.

The next year, Brncic earned some reps as a reserve, hitting on 3-of-8 passing attempts for 96 yards, with a touchdown and an interception, and he rushed 18 times for 27 yards. That season, the Panthers achieved a mark of 7-4, including 4-3 in the conference ledger. Franklin Regional bested Bethel Park in the Class 5A postseason, but lost to Gateway in the quarterfinals.

In his junior campaign, Brncic emerged as the starter at quarterback, as he connected on 78-of-154 throws for 978 yards, with seven TDs and eight interceptions, and he added 65 carries for 44 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. FR compiled a record of 4-5 overall, including 3-3 in the conference. Back in the WPIAL Class 5A postseason, the Panthers lost to Moon Area in the first round.

As a senior, Brncic went 74-of-129 passing for 970 yards, with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions, and he rushed 70 times for 126 yards and five scores. The Panthers went 4-3 overall, but just 2-3 in the conference, thus missing the playoffs.

Brncic, who also played baseball at Franklin Regional, then matriculated to Allegheny College, joining the Gators football team in 2021. As a freshman QB, he went 16-of-23 for 185 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception, and he added five carries for 18 yards. He also notched one punt spanning 34 yards. Collectively, the Gators went 3-7 on the campaign, including 2-7 in North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC).

As a sophomore in 2022, Brncic completed 29-of-55 passes for 321 yards, with two TDs and one pick. As a punter, he produced 53 punts for an average of 34.5 yards. The Gators achieved a record of 3-7 overall, with a 2-6 mark in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC).

Last year, Brncic was limited at QB, completing his lone pass for six yards. As a punter, he notched 50 attempts, averaging 36.0 yards per punt. Allegheny compiled a mark of 3-7, with all of the games occurring in PAC action.

Now in his senior campaign, Brncic has ascended to the starting quarterback role, connecting on 122-of-198 throws for 1,229 yards, with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions, and he’s added 36 carries for 54 yards and a score. Moreover, he’s delivered 38 punts for an average of 35.3 yards. To this point, the Gators have gone 1-7, with all of the contests on the PAC ledger.

Trevor set aside time from his schedule to respond to questions about his dual role this year, the top qualities of his legendary high school coach, and the best advice he’s ever received.

Q: You have taken the majority of snaps at QB this season. How have you evaluated your performance?

A: So far, I have viewed my performance this year as less proficient than I would have hoped for. I have made a couple of mistakes that have put the team in some difficult spots. However, I feel like I have kept my head up and have worked hard to rebound from the mistakes so we can finish the season off strong.

Q: You also serve as the punter. What are the biggest challenges to holding both positions?

A: Being a punter and a quarterback can be challenging due to the amount of time needed to practice both positions. My biggest challenge through the season has been trying to perfect my role as a leader in both units. Often, I can find myself too caught up in one position, which can have a negative effect on my other role.

Q: What has been the biggest area of growth during your career at Allegheny?

A: My biggest area of growth during my career at Allegheny has been putting trust in my teammates and coaches around me. Early in my career, I caught myself too focused on someone else’s job rather than just focusing and perfecting what I was doing. As I have gone through the system, I realized to have success in anything, you must trust and value the people around you.

Q: What team and individual goals did you establish for this season?

A: Some goals I established for the season were to become the starting quarterback for Allegheny College and lead the team to a winning record. As the season has gone on and our record will not live up to that, a new goal I created was to do my best to leave this program better than I found it, so that the upcoming classes will be set up for success.

Q: What are pros of playing in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC)?

A: The main pro of playing in the PAC is the intense competition. No matter what team you line up against in this conference, you know it will take all four quarters of football and a full-out effort to get a win. As a competitor, this is a great opportunity to show what someone can do against some of the best competitors in Division III football.

Q: Did you know any of your current teammates before college?

A: Before arriving at Allegheny College, I did not know any of my teammates on a personal level. My knowledge of some people who attended Allegheny College before was only because of playing in the same high school division.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Allegheny?

A: What brought me to Allegheny College was the academic structure and the people. The staff and people at Allegheny College made it feel more like a second home than any other school.

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

A: I am currently majoring in communications with a minor in economics, and I am open to job opportunities after college. However, I am most interested in going into the financial field.

Q: What has been your most challenging college course?

A: The most challenging course I have taken in college has been Microeconomic Theory.

Q: You played for legendary coach Greg Botta at Franklin Regional. What made him so successful?

A: Playing for Coach Botta was a great experience. What made him such a great coach during my time in high school was his knowledge and expertise. Coach Botta had a very good understanding of each position and knew how the game was meant to be played. He taught with a physical and demanding style, which turned good players into great ones.

Q: What was your fondest high school memory?

A: Some of my greatest memories from high school involved my best friends and teammates hanging out and sharing stories at the lunch table.

Q: You also played baseball in high school. What skills translate between the sports?

A: Growing up playing football and baseball has helped me become a better overall player. In baseball, I have gained skills such as hand-eye coordination, confidence, and arm strength, whereas in football, the skills I gained are more around discipline, athleticism, and knowledge of the game. These skills I translated to each sport when playing it, which resulted in me becoming a better player.

Q: What is your favorite sports movie?

A: My overall favorite sports movie is The Sandlot, but the one I can watch every day is Happy Gilmore.

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

A: If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life it would be steak and potatoes.

Q: What is the best advice you've ever received?

A: Some of the best advice I have ever received was to take things slow. Do not wish for things to go by too fast because before you know it, you will find yourself wishing for them back. Enjoy the time you are in and love every day.