Why North Catholic football’s hopes hinge on do-everything ‘weapon’ Will Waskiewicz
BUTLER TWP — At 5-foot-9, 166 pounds, Will Waskiewicz won’t be the biggest player on a county football field this season.
He may be the busiest.
Waskiewicz returns for his senior year as North Catholic’s “do everything” guy. He led the Trojans (9-4 in 2025) in receptions last season. He led the team with five interceptions. He returned 25 kickoffs and 12 punts.
“We want to get the ball in his hands even more times this year,” North Catholic coach Chris Rizzo said. “Will is such a dynamic player. He’s one of those guys who could break loose at any time.
“He’ll still be a prime receiver, of course. But we want to hand him the ball, too — run some jet sweeps, even put together a Wildcat package for him on offense. The kid is a weapon.”
Lineman Joseph Culleiton called Waskiewicz the Trojans’ MVP, “hands down.”
“He’s our most experienced player, and we expect big things from him. He can impact a game in so many different ways.”
And in all three phases of the game.
Waskiewicz caught 53 passes for 898 yards and 11 scores a year ago. The only North Catholic receiver with more receiving yardage in 2025 was Preston Simko, who now plays at Duquesne.
Defensively, Waskiewicz was in on 18 tackles. He returned two of his interceptions for touchdowns. One of his kick returns went for a score, as well.
Waskiewicz has already drawn interest from Indiana (Pa.), Glenville State and Bucknell, among others.
“I want to extend my playing career,” Waskiewicz said. “I want to play better to increase those offers.”
To do that, he’s set goals of breaking 1,000 yards receiving and forcing more turnovers on defense.
Both will be challenging, especially since he’s hardly off the field. But Waskiewicz is prepared for 48 minutes of football every week.
“I’m in pretty good shape, so being out there all the time doesn’t bother me,” he said.
Sometimes he’d need a breather after a long touchdown run, he said. But he’ll have to be quick to get back on the field to reach his targets.
“This year, I’d love to hit 1,000 (yards receiving),” he said. “Stats are always fun, but the end all (be all) is those good numbers help the team win.”
Trickier will be improving his interception total. Opposing quarterbacks learned to avoid throwing his way later into the 2025 season.
“And that’s fine,” Waskiewicz said. “But you always have to be ready to make a play.”
That includes on special teams, where Waskiewicz has proven a capable returner who can get to the end zone.
His father, Joe Waskiewicz, returned kicks for California (Pa.) University.
“I got a few tips from him,” Waskiewicz said. “The biggest thing was always run north-south, not east-west. The vision on returning kicks comes with the more you do it. See the hole open up, cut back and go.”
Rizzo values Waskiewicz’s leadership because “he’s always on the field,” the coach said.
“Just a great kid,” the coach said. The other players gravitate to him. He can be a game-breaker, and everybody knows that.”
