TOWAMENCIN – North Penn senior Zach LaValla has not let his size stop him from doing big things. Playing defensive tackle, there is no doubt the 5’6” LaValla is a tough guy. Although he’s such a tough guy, he’s had to face some even tougher times this season, and found football to be his sanctuary.

“I’m a smaller guy and I go up against some guys who are a lot bigger than me. Some people see my size and think they can easily take me. With my size there are advantages and disadvantages. I’m usually faster than someone who’s bigger, but if I get caught, the bigger kid is going to win that battle. If I can get around them I will win, but if they lock up with me I will definitely lose that battle,” said LaValla.

LaValla finds himself at the bottom of piles, not because he is smaller, but because he’s doing his job. He basically has to let other people make tackles. Overall this year he feels he has done a good job with that. He is a second team all-league selection this season, and with a solid year he has accomplished many things.

“I couldn’t have accomplished goals or achieved the things I’ve achieved without the help of God, my family and the coaching staff, who are always pushing us to do better, said LaValla.

LaValla reinforces the importance of God on and off the field. Being part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes he has the smaller community of christian athletes by his side. He likes having the guys on the team who are involved, so he has people understand the lifestyle he lives. He really appreciates knowing there are people with similar beliefs that he has.

With both God and football in his life he is able to cope with the hardships that have come this season as his father battles against cancer. Needing somewhere to go is not an issue. Going to football and working out in the weight room gives LaValla a chance to improve himself. He likes doing something for himself and it makes him feel better. Football is a nice way for him to take a break from everything.

“[My father] goes to Penn for treatments and they are very understanding about trying to get him super early appointments. He’s really blessed being able to go to the games. The nurses were on board and have concerns for getting him home in time for the games. It’s been awesome to see how much grace they show us,” said LaValla.

He’s also grateful for the attitude his teammates have toward his situation. Although he doesn’t really want to, if he wanted to talk about it to any of the guys, they would be more than happy to talk to him about it. He is happy to have a team supporting him where they are all having a good time working for a common goal.

Unfortunately, this is his last year with his great team and also playing football. LaValla won’t be playing in college because his position has been too taxing on his body. It’s definitely going to be hard for him not to be playing in college.

“I hope to coach in a youth league even if I don’t have any kids in it. I want to be involved with the next generation of players, and maybe even make football safer for younger kids. As a side job I would want to be a middle school or small high school assistant coach,” said LaValla.

For now he’s just excited about Saturday’s game because the team knows it is going to be a challenge. He’s excited to work hard and overcome this obstacle to a State Championship game.

“We just need to be intense and tenacious about our assignments. St. Joseph’s Prep is an incredible team. Every week we pick up what the other team does best and shut them down. No different technique or style of playing is needed for this game, just the best technique we’ve had all year,”said LaValla.

The Knights will need to play the best game of their lives. For LaValla, no matter his size and how much he is underestimated, with God blessing him, he feels he can do anything.