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Football is arguably the most popular sport in the United States. Over one million high school athletes play football. Of those million, only 72,000 players compete at any collegiate level. That is only 6.7% of all high school football players. Today on Making the Cut we speak to Michael Pietropola – a 2015 graduate of Wellsboro High School who has gone on to play football at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP).

Pietropola was an All-State quarterback and finished with a high school career stat line of 6,150 yards, 68 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. Pietropola was a part of a 10-0 Northern Tier League Championship team his junior year. This team changed the culture of Wellsboro Football that had been circling the bottom in previous years. “We changed Wellsboro Football. The winning transition is now alive in Wellsboro Football and I credit the (2013) team,” Pietropola stated.

Pietropola went to IUP upon graduating, which was decidedly easy for him. “I went on my visit, saw the coaching staff, saw the facilities and everything they had to offer. And everyone was great to me. It was a clear decision, I wanted to go to IUP.”

The hardest part of the on-the-field transition was the “speed of the game,” according to Pietropola, echoing what many athletes have said: “I would say the speed of the game, you know, when you get to college everyone is at the high-level. Everyone is fast, everyone can think on their feet, everyone’s real athletic. So how you separate yourself from those guys comes in the film room and the weight room – you have to work hard.”

Pietropola’s college football experience has been unique. He was one of 3 quarterbacks to sign in his recruiting class. Throughout his first year at IUP, Pietropola has worn many hats – from backup quarterback, to holder, to safety, to kick return specialist and special teams. This year you may see him at wide receiver. Pietropola stressed the importance of being versatile and flexible. “If you aren’t flexible, you may be stuck at one position and may never see the field. Being flexible opens your opportunities to see the field.”

Michael Pietropola’s advice for any prospective student was to work hard. “That’s the biggest thing. You know, just work your tail off.”

Pietropola starts his season on September 10th when the Crimson Hawks travel to East Stroudsburg to take on the Warriors.