NAME: Nick Rossi
SCHOOL: Riverside
LAST SEASON: 2010
POSITIONS: LB/FB
Nick Rossi was a major force on both sides of the ball and was a big-time contributor to Riverside’s success in the early part of the deade. A two-year captain, Rossi helped lead the Vikings to a District 2 title and an appearance in the state championship game his senior year and to the state semifinals his sophomore season. In 2010, he rushed for 1,200 yards and 23 touchdowns, and added 26 receptions for 352 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns playing fullback. On defense, he registered 116 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 2 interceptions. Rossi was one of the better receivers out of the backfield as he compiled
Rossi was an NPF 2010 Lackawanna Football Conference Division II Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team linebacker. He was named a first-team all-state linebacker by the Pennsylvania Football News and an all-state linebacker by the Pennsylvania Football Writers in 2010. He was also named a first-team linebacker by EasternPAFootball.com. Rossi was named to the WNEP Dream Team and was selected to play in both the Big 33 Classic and Chesapeake Bowl. He would continue his football career at Division I-FBS Akron University where he played both fullback and linebacker.
Riverside coach Harry Armstrong on Rossi: “Nick optimized the throwback hard-nosed style of play that our area is accustomed too and he combined it with a relentless work-ethic and level of commitment on and off the field that set a standard for our team. He was one of the best 2-way players to play in NEPA.”
