Fort Cherry High School Star Named National Player of the Year Finalist

High school football players playing during a game

McDonald, Pennsylvania, December 30, 2025

Matt Sieg, a standout athlete from Fort Cherry High School in McDonald, Pennsylvania, has been recognized as a finalist for the National High School Player of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club. This prestigious acknowledgment highlights his remarkable football achievements and leadership during his high school career. A West Virginia University signee, Sieg has set numerous records, including being the WPIAL’s all-time leader in total yardage and touchdowns, establishing him as one of the top national prospects.


McDonald, Pennsylvania

Matt Sieg Named National High School Player of the Year Finalist

Fort Cherry standout and West Virginia University signee recognized among top national prospects.

Matt Sieg, a distinguished athlete from Fort Cherry High School in McDonald, Pennsylvania, has been named one of seven finalists for the 2025 National High School Player of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club. This recognition highlights Sieg’s exceptional performance and leadership throughout his high school football career. Sieg is also a West Virginia University (WVU) signee, adding to his list of notable achievements.

The Maxwell Football Club, established in 1935, annually honors elite football talent at various levels. Being named a finalist for this prestigious award places Sieg among the nation’s most outstanding high school athletes. His selection reflects a career marked by impressive statistical output and significant contributions to his high school team’s success.

Award Recognition

The Maxwell Football Club announced Matt Sieg as a finalist for the 2025 National High School Player of the Year award, an honor presented for the 19th year. He was also selected to the Maxwell High School All-American Team. The National High School Player of the Year award is scheduled to be presented on March 14, 2026, in Atlanta. Sieg’s accolades extend to regional and conference-level recognition, including being a three-time Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 1A All-State First Team honoree and the WPIAL 1A Player of the Year. He was also named the Black Hills Conference Offensive Most Valuable Player multiple times.

High School Career Achievements

Throughout his career at Fort Cherry High School, Matt Sieg demonstrated remarkable versatility as a quarterback and free safety. He led his team to a 12-1 record in his senior season and a 14-1 record as a junior. His contributions were instrumental in Fort Cherry winning two WPIAL championships in 2023 and 2024. Sieg achieved a career record of 49-7 with the Rangers.

Statistical Milestones

Matt Sieg established several records during his high school career. He is the WPIAL’s all-time career leader in total yardage with 12,592 yards. He also holds the WPIAL’s all-time career record for touchdowns, accumulating 139 from rushing, punt returns, and interception returns. Sieg ranks second in WPIAL history for career rushing yards with 7,958.

He is the first player in Pennsylvania history to achieve both 7,000 rushing yards and 4,000 passing yards. Sieg is also one of only two players in WPIAL history, alongside Terrelle Pryor, to produce 4,000 rushing yards and 4,000 passing yards in their careers. Furthermore, he is the first player in WPIAL history to register 5,000 rushing yards and 3,000 passing yards in a career, and the first to rush for 1,000 yards and pass for 1,000 yards in three consecutive years.

In his senior year, Sieg recorded 2,259 all-purpose yards and 30 offensive touchdowns. Defensively, he contributed with 45 tackles and four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. During his junior season, he recorded 1,350 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and 1,840 rushing yards with 32 touchdowns. Defensively, he had 50 tackles, four interceptions, and one punt return for a touchdown. As a freshman, he had 1,221 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and 1,982 rushing yards with 33 touchdowns.

Collegiate Future with WVU

Matt Sieg is a highly-rated four-star prospect by major recruiting services such as ESPN, 247Sports, and Rivals. He is consistently ranked among the top players in Pennsylvania and as a leading safety prospect nationally. Sieg has signed with West Virginia University and is projected to primarily play safety at the collegiate level, with potential opportunities on offense as a running back or wide receiver. His versatility and athletic ability are expected to make him an immediate impact player for the Mountaineers.

Matt Sieg’s recognition as a National High School Player of the Year finalist underscores a stellar high school career defined by exceptional athletic performance and record-breaking achievements. His commitment to West Virginia University marks the next chapter for this talented athlete as he prepares to transition to collegiate football. The upcoming award presentation will further highlight his accomplishments on the national stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What award is Matt Sieg a finalist for?
Matt Sieg has been named one of seven finalists for the 2025 National High School Player of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club.
Which high school did Matt Sieg attend?
Matt Sieg attended Fort Cherry High School in McDonald, Pennsylvania.
What are some of Matt Sieg’s key high school achievements?
Matt Sieg is the WPIAL’s all-time career leader in total yardage with 12,592 yards and the WPIAL’s all-time career record for touchdowns, accumulating 139. He is also the first player in Pennsylvania history to achieve both 7,000 rushing yards and 4,000 passing yards.
Where is Matt Sieg committed to play college football?
Matt Sieg is a West Virginia University (WVU) signee.
When and where will the National High School Player of the Year award be presented?
The National High School Player of the Year award is scheduled to be presented on March 14, 2026, in Atlanta.

Key Features of Matt Sieg’s High School Career

Category Achievement/Value Scope
Award Finalist 2025 National High School Player of the Year by Maxwell Football Club Nationwide
Team Recognition Maxwell High School All-American Team Nationwide
All-State Honor Three-time Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 1A All-State First Team honoree Pennsylvania State-level
WPIAL Player of the Year WPIAL 1A Player of the Year WPIAL-level
Total Yardage Record WPIAL’s all-time career leader in total yardage (12,592 yards) WPIAL-level
Touchdown Record WPIAL’s all-time career record for touchdowns (139) WPIAL-level
Rushing Yards Ranking Second in WPIAL history for career rushing yards (7,958) WPIAL-level
Pennsylvania First First player in Pennsylvania history to achieve both 7,000 rushing yards and 4,000 passing yards Pennsylvania State-level
WPIAL Dual-Threat Record One of only two players in WPIAL history to produce 4,000 rushing and 4,000 passing yards in their careers WPIAL-level
WPIAL Championships Led Fort Cherry to two WPIAL championships (2023, 2024) WPIAL-level
Collegiate Commitment West Virginia University (WVU) signee Nationwide

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