Dec 23, 2023 By Jonathan Guth 4 min read

There was no sophomore slump for Matt Sieg.

After putting up gaudy numbers as a freshman, the Fort Cherry quarterback/defensive back/punter/kick returner helped lead the Rangers to their first WPIAL championship in the history of the football program and an appearance in the state title game.

Fort Cherry fell just short of its goal in a 42-8 loss to Steelton-Highspire in Class A PIAA championship game to finish the season at 15-1, but Sieg’s contributions have led to him being named the Observer-Reporter Football Player of the Year.

Sieg rushed for 2,387 yards with 41 touchdowns, threw for 1,671 with 20 scores, returned two punts for touchdowns and had 37 tackles and three interceptions, including one pick-six.

In two years of high school football, Sieg has rushed for 4,372 yards and thrown for 2,892 and scored 76 touchdowns.

“It was great to win a WPIAL title, but we want to win a state title,” Sieg said. “I want to thank the community for the support and being loud and the seniors for their leadership. Obviously, it was a great season and gave us an identity. We are losing some good people and tough players, but we are excited for next year, and I know a few people who are going to come out for the team.”

One of the best moments of the season for the Rangers didn’t come on the field, but on the streets of McDonald when the team returned home after the loss in the state championship game to a chorus of cheers.

“The welcome home from the community was something I’ll never forget,” Sieg said. “We will use that as motivation in the future to take it one step further and win a state championship for our community.”

Sieg stated Fort Cherry’s 48-41 victory over Bishop Canevin in Week 5 helped the team believe they could do something special. The win also set-up the Rangers to win the Class A Black Hills Conference.

“That win was big because they obliterated us last year,” Sieg said. “We were able to come back and beat them in the playoffs, too, which was another tough game.”

Fort Cherry coach Tanner Garry started to hear about Sieg’s potential when his big gun was in middle school.

“I was coaching at South Fayette when Matt was in sixth grade and the talk had begun,” Garry said. “He was in the seventh grade when I was hired at Fort Cherry and he was impressive on film, but I needed to take a look. There was no question he would start as a freshman. “Sometimes, kids will wait to stay doing the extra work until their junior year, but Matt has been doing that work since middle school. He really checks off all the boxes when you think about what you want in a player. He is not arrogant and just a great kid.”

Sieg’s drive to win was never more evident than in the state championship game, as the Rangers trailed Steelton-Highspire, 42-0, in the fourth quarter, but Sieg directed the offense on a six-play, 71-yard drive that culminated on Sieg’s 1-yard touchdown run. Sieg rushed for 153 yards on 30 carries in the title game.

“Matt will compete until the final whistle,” Garry said. “I wasn’t shocked by how he performed. Steelton-Highspire was a very talented football team, but I don’t think we played our best that day. Our guys were so unselfish this season, and Matt is on board with the team concept. He wants to do whatever he can to win.”

Sieg has attracted attention from Penn State, Pitt, West Virginia, Syracuse, Akron and Nebraska. Nittany Lions coach James Franklin came to Fort Cherry for a visit during the season. Sieg said he will sit down and discuss the offers with his family before making any decisions.

The best part about Sieg’s journey is he has two more high school seasons of high school football remaining.