While Penn-Trafford football has been an upper-echelon program for more than a decade, the Warriors finally reached the pinnacle in the 2021 season, capturing both the WPIAL and state titles. While countless players made contributions during that historic campaign, few made a more significant impact than Jack Jollie. Jollie has continued to make his presence felt at the college ranks, as he’s a top defensive player at Grove City College, which enjoyed a banner season in 2023. Jollie is in the spotlight in the return of the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

Jollie cracked the Penn-Trafford varsity roster as a sophomore in the 2019 campaign. Offensively, his contributions were modest, as he posted three carries for 11 yards. That year, the Warriors went 11-2 overall, including a perfect 6-0 in conference play. In the WPIAL Class 5A postseason, the Warriors bested Fox Chapel Area and Upper St. Clair, but fell to Peters Township in the semifinals to conclude the season.

In the abbreviated 2020 campaign, Jollie had two receptions for 46 yards, and scored three total touchdowns for PT. The Warriors went 6-2, including 4-0 in conference action. In the playoffs, PT knocked off Upper St. Clair, but lost to Pine-Richland in the Class 5A semifinals.

In Jollie’s senior campaign, both he and the team enjoyed breakthrough campaigns. At H-back, Jollie produced eight receptions for 88 yards, scoring two touchdowns. Defensively, he thrived at inside linebacker, registering 79 tackles, an interception, and two forced fumbles. Collectively, the Warriors went 13-2 overall, including 5-0 in the Class 5A Big East Conference. In the postseason, Penn-Trafford ousted Fox Chapel and Pine-Richland, advancing to the title game. In the WPIAL Class 5A Championship at Heinz Field, the Warriors edged Moon Area 24-21 in a thriller to capture the first district gold in program history. From there, the Warriors entered the state playoffs, and defeated Exeter Township to reach the PIAA Class 5A Championship. On the biggest stage in Hershey, Penn-Trafford outlasted Imhotep Institute Charter 17-14 in overtime to capture the state crown.

Following his graduation, Jollie elected to continue his education and athletic endeavors at Grove City College. Playing alongside his brother, Luke, Jollie made an immediate impact with the Wolverines in the 2022 campaign. As a freshman linebacker, he appeared in 11 games, registering nine tackles and a pass defensed. The Wolverines went 8-3 overall that season, including 5-3 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC). Grove City was tabbed to play in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) James Lynah Bowl, and defeated FDU-Fordham to conclude the campaign.

Last season, Jollie emerged as a key component at linebacker, as he played in a dozen contests, amassing a team-high 91 tackles, along with three sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and a pair of passes defensed. Grove City had a stellar season, going 11-1 overall, including a perfect 10-0 in the PAC for the first time in program history. Qualifying for the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament, the Wolverines edged Susquehanna before suffering a one-point loss against Cortland in the second round.

In the first game of his junior campaign, Jollie notched seven tackles and a sack for Grove City. In that game, the Wolverines blanked conference foe Geneva College 41-0. Following an idle week, Grove City returns to action this Saturday at Saint Vincent College.

Jack took time from his schedule to field questions about his penchant for racking up tackles, the biggest factors in Penn-Trafford’s golden run, and the hidden talent he possesses in another sport.

Q: You led the team in tackles last year. What are the biggest factors in your success in that category?

A: First and foremost, it’s the defensive line that keeps me free every play that allows me to fly around the football field untouched. Second, a big factor to my success last year was having a couple of great role models at linebacker my freshman year to learn from so that I could go out and play confidently last season.

Q: What have been your most significant areas of improvement during your time at Grove City?

A: I think my most significant area of improvement is in my leadership. I am very fortunate to have Coach DiDonato, who is one of the best leaders I have ever met. So being able to learn from him and apply that has been very helpful.

Q: What allowed your team to have such a successful season in 2023?

A: What allowed our team to have such success in 2023 was the fact that we have a vision for our program. Our team knows who we are, and we don’t do anything that we aren’t. We simply identify what we are best at and only do what we are best at.

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

A: Our team goal is to compete for PAC and National championships; my only goal I strive for is to be the best captain I can be.

Q: Which game are you most looking forward to this campaign?

A: I wouldn’t say there is one specific team that I look forward to more than the others, but playing Carnegie Mellon, W&J, Case Western, and Westminster are always tough, competitive games.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Grove City?

A: The incredible team culture and great coaching were crucial factors in choosing Grove City.

Q: What has been your most enjoyable college course?

A: My favorite course that I have taken is probably my principles of marketing class, because of my professor. He was a fantastic teacher, and I am excited to take more of his classes.

Q: You were a key part of the historic Penn-Trafford run in 2021. What were the best qualities of that team?

A: I felt like the team chemistry that we had as a unit was unmatched. We didn’t play as 11 individuals, but as one cohesive unit; also, the great coaching Coach Ruane and his staff provided for us.

Q: What was your fondest high school memory?

A: Simply spending time with Joe Enick and Conlan Greene are memories that I always look back on.

Q: Who was the best individual you played against in high school?

A: Two fantastic players I played against were Cade Yacamelli during practice and Ben Bladel (of Moon Area). Fortunately, I now have had the privilege to play with both on my side.

Q: What is a hidden talent you possess or a little-known fact about you?

A: I am a very competitive golfer, and I like to believe that I am pretty good for a football player.