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Tavian Branch already had the attention of several major college football programs before this offseason. Still, his stock rises with increased interest because of his workouts, strength improvements and skill development shown in camps.
Last week, the Riverside junior all-state defensive lineman, a powerful 6-foot-4, 295-pounder with outstanding quickness, landed an offer from the University of Alabama, which pumps up the number of NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision honors to more than 20, according to recruiting website 247Sports.com.
“Honestly, it is a blessing to have this opportunity,” Branch, 17, said. “All of my hard work is really paying off, but it is all about me staying humble and keeping up the work. But, really, it is a great feeling.”
Last season, Branch was a force on both sides of the ball for Riverside. On the way to a District 2 Class 2A championship and a trip to the PIAA Class 2A semifinals, he had 66 tackles — 48 solo, 27 for loss — 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 20 quarterback hurries. He has 94 tackles with 39 for loss and 12 sacks in his career.
In addition, Branch uses social media to gain additional exposure. Recently, he posted videos of a 405-pound bench press and pull-ups, as well as photos from his campus visits — extending gratitude to his hosts.
“My social media has been popping,” Branch said. “I am being patient with it. Going through this process, it can be slow at times, but you never know when that one post can go viral.”
With the addition of Alabama, he has received scholarship offers from Penn State, Oklahoma, Rutgers, Oklahoma State, Boston College, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Duke, Kent State, Kentucky, Maryland, Old Dominion, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Syracuse, Temple, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
“With this whole process, you have to be organized with everything,” Branch said. “If you don’t have a set plan, it can get confusing. With all of the camps and the academics and the visits, you have to have great support to help you out with what is best.
“It’s work, but it is a great feeling. I know every day that I have to keep working harder. When I go to school, when I am working out, and when we get to the football season, I have to keep setting a high standard for myself.”
When West Scranton coach Jake Manetti took over the program, he wanted to make sure his players gave back to the community that so proudly supports them.
The Invaders have responded with volunteer service at various events, which included helping at a recent Children’s Easter Egg Hunt at The Marketplace at Steamtown. Between 30 and 40 athletes helped set up the activities and made sure kids received their allotment of eggs.
“Community involvement is very important,” Manetti said. “We want our community involved in the program, and we want to be involved in the community the right way. We try to teach our kids that they are learning how to be good citizens, and part of that is learning the value of giving back to the community.”
West Scranton players have donated time at the annual Cody Barrasse Basketball Tournament, participated in the Child Hunger Outreach program, helped at the Autism Walk, packed meals at the Friends of the Poor and set up and broke down the venue at the St. Ann Maronite Church Lebanese Heritage Festival.
“Our kids really had a great time at the Easter Egg Hunt,” Manetti said. “These kids know what we expect, and they do the things with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. We are proud of them.”
The 2024 Abington Heights football team was selected as the Pennsylvania 5A state winner for the 2024-2025 National Football Foundation National High School Academic Excellence Award.
Presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, the initiative honors the top academic football teams from each level of play within each state and is designed to inspire and foster a culture of academic excellence in high school football teams throughout the nation, according to a press release.
Other Pennsylvania winners were Newton Square Delaware County Christian High School (1A), Harbor Creek High School (3A) and State College High School (6A).
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