Feature | By Rick Saulle

SF Football Star Shines at Grove City

Andrew DiDonato, a 2006 graduate of South Fayette High School, is preparing for his second season as the starting quarterback for the Grove City Wolverines.

The sophomore signal caller is attempting to bring the Wolverines back to the upper echelon of the President’s Athletic Conference (PAC.)

In the late 1990’s Grove City was perennially atop the PAC standings. In 1997 and 1998 they ascended into the national spotlight with consecutive conference titles before finishing out the decade as runner-up in 1999 and 2000. The Wolverines are led by Coach Chris Smith who is entering his 24th season as head football coach for the Division III football program. Smith will look to the 6’0”, 200 pound DiDonato to spearhead the Wolverines return to glory.

In his freshman season, DiDonato completed 54.9 percent of his passes for 1554 yards for an average of 154.4 yards per game, which earned him honorable mention honors for the PAC All-Conference team.

DiDonato finished his South Fayette career as the second leading passer in WPIAL history with 6,573 yards, behind only Adam DeMichele of Sto Rox High School. He is one of only three quarterbacks to eclipse the 6,000 yard mark.

DiDonato had aspirations of playing football at the Division I or I-AA level, but after a home visit from Grove City President Dick Jewell and coach Smith, DiDonato was sold on the total package of academics, athletics and Christian values.

It didn’t hurt that Smith promised to transition Grove City to a pass-oriented offense. “It showed me what they think of me and how they think I could turn the program around,” DiDonato said. “It meant a lot to me.”

DiDonato justified Smith’s decision by throwing for 13 touchdowns, running for another six touchdowns and even catching a ten-yard touchdown pass versus Case Western Reserve. These are impressive statistics considering the Wolverines offense was shutout twice.

When asked about the biggest differences between taking the helm for the South Fayette Lions versus playing collegiately, DiDonato was quick to answer, “The speed of the game: The plays develop much quicker in college. I have less time in the pocket and it’s more difficult to find weaknesses in the defenses.”

DiDonato established two conference single-game highs in a game versus Rochester on October 28th. He ran 59 plays from scrimmage including a remarkable 47 pass plays. Additionally, DiDonato sets Grove City records for completions (27) and attempts (47) in one game. DiDonato’s 268 yards are the sixth highest total in Grove City history.

Andrew is not the first DiDonato in the Grove City record books. His brother David, a 2001 graduate of South Fayette, was an accomplished receiver for the Wolverines. “I remember the coaches always teasing Andrew about following his brother to Grove City when we used to attend David’s games,” said Joe DiDonato, Andrew’s father and the track chaplain at the Meadows Race Track in Washington County.

Coach Smith observed, “When we recruited Andrew, we thought that he would be an outstanding college football player... He really matured as a freshman. This year, he has really advanced beyond last year.”

Arguably, DiDonato’s breakout game came against Case Western when he finished the day 20 of 35, passing for 236 yards and three touchdowns.

While the Grove City passing offense soared under the guidance of DiDonato, the Wolverines struggled in several other statistical categories. As a result, this year the Wolverines are predicted to finish fifth in the seven team conference.

DiDonato had two goals when he arrived on campus in 2006. “I wanted to earn the starting position and I wanted to be a team leader.” He accomplished the first goal despite some fierce competition from two young men with whom he has become good friends, and the second took care of itself with his exceptional play in his rookie campaign.

DiDonato lists time management as one of his biggest challenges. “With a tough academic program such as Grove City, it is challenging to juggle school, football, weightlifting and watching film,” said DiDonato. “I am managing.”

Coach Smith has drilled three words into the minds of his young squad: positive mental attitude. “We have a lot of talented players returning and we seem to be further along compared to this time last year,” observed DiDonato. “It all comes down to how well we handle adversity.”

The 2007 Grove City Wolverines are going to be exciting to watch and, in the words of Coach Smith, “DiDonato will be one of the critical elements in our success this season.”

It wouldn’t surprise anyone if this humble, well-spoken young man with a rifle for an arm led the Wolverines to great things this season. No matter the outcome, DiDonato will leave his mark on the Grove City record books.