JEFFREY REINHART jreinhart@LNPnews.com
Two-time Double-A Associated Press All-State pick Sean Persch, Pequea Valley’s all-time leading receiver, has accepted a full athletic scholarship offer from C.W. Post, a Division 2 college located on Long Island in Brookville, N.Y., that competes in the PSAC East.
The Pioneers finished 3-8 overall last fall, including a 2-5 mark in the PSAC East. C.W. Post defeated Millersville 55-38.
Persch, who was also named to the Eastern PA Football.com All-State Team this past season, had 71 catches for 1,152 yards and six touchdown grabs in his senior year this past fall. And he did that after missing two games for surgery on damaged tendons in his hand.
Persch played a majority of the season with a club on his hand, making those stats even more impressive.
“Obviously, this is a very exciting time not only for Sean, but for the Pequea Valley football program,” PV coach Curtis Waltman said. “Any time you’re able to have a student-athlete attend a school on a full ride, and you have the chance to play at the college level, it’s a great opportunity.”
Persch finished his career with 164 catches for 2,444 yards and 22 TD receptions. He is sixth in career receiving yards in L-L League history.
“Sean worked incredibly hard for this, and I know he’s excited and ready to move on and play at the next level,” Waltman said. “Sean’s accomplishments speak for themselves. He was our first football player named to the All-State Team — not once, but twice. He set every receiving record at the school, and he’s also the first football player in our history to receive a full ride to college.
“Most importantly though, he’s really made football relevant again at Pequea Valley, and for years to come our players will look up to him as to what can happen through football and how it can further your life. I’m proud to have coached him, and I look forward to watching him on Saturdays.”
Persch had an unforgettable junior season for the Braves in 2007, when he caught 71 passes for 1,029 yards, piled up 875 yards in kick returns, had 451 rushing yards, had 86 yards in punt returns, and also had 35 passing yards, giving him 2,476 all-purpose yards on the way to being named AP All-State.
He didn’t have as many all-purpose yards in his senior season because of his hand injury. But with 71 catches for the second year in a row, he was a repeat All-State selection.
