The top-ranked Class of 2026 player in the WPIAL and top-ranked un-committed prospect in Pennsylvania is, unsurprisingly, a big-time Penn State recruiting target.
On Friday night, Matt Sieg showed why.
The four-star recruit scored six total touchdownsโ five rushingโ as Fort Cherry beat Bishop Canevin, 49-34.
Sieg set the tone early, hitting Shane Cornali for a 60-yard touchdown 1:36 into the game to put Fort Cherry ahead.
On the next drive, Sieg got it done with his legs. After Canevin tied it at 7, Sieg drove the Rangers back into the red zone and converted a 4th and 3 on the ground, moving the ball to the Canevin 2.
Two plays later, he scored on a QB sneak to put Fort Cherry back in front.
Canevin answered again to tie it at 14. Then, Fort Cherry got the lead again thanks to Siegโs legs.
He took a 4th and 1 from the Canevin 27 in for his third total touchdown.
His second half got off to a rocky start. On Fort Cherryโs opening possession, Sieg threw an interception that put Canevin at the FC 1-yard line, and Canevin subsequently scored to tie it up.
Canevin scored on its next possession to take its first league but Sieg had an answer. A 25-yard touchdown run by Sieg, his third on the ground and fourth total, tied it at 28.
Canevin retook the lead, but pick-six by ย Cornali in the 4th quarter put Fort Cherry back ahead, 35-34. After Fort Cherry recovered a fumbled kickoff deep in Canevin territory, it cashed in. Sieg converted a 4th and 1 from the 3 with his legs and scored his fifth total TD two plays later.
Another recovered fumble on the next possession put Fort Cherry in position to close the game, which Sieg did with his fifth touchdown run and sixth total TD.
Fort Cherry is now 8-0 and a big threat to win the WPIAL title in Class A.
Nittany Sports Now talked with Sieg early this season about where Penn State ranks on his list.
โIโm always going to be and always have been high on Penn State,โ he said. โI mean it just shows that theyโre doing it the right wayโฆ their preparation and everything, theyโre doing it right, and it definitely showed.โ
Siegโs father, Jeff, is an assistant coach for Fort Cherry. Growing up, Jeff Sieg could see Beaver Stadium from his house. So, yeah, he was a Penn State guy. His son is as well.
โItโs rubbed off on me,โ Sieg told Nittany Sports Now last October.
It was only a matter of time before Division I schools started offering Sieg.
โI was just speechless, really,โ he said. โIt was crazy. I was so happy. Hugged my dad. It was a moment Iโll never forget.โ
As good as Sieg is offensively, Sieg, a 6-foot, 180-pounder, is projected ย to be a safety at the next level. He had a big pass breakup on the last play of the first half with Canevin driving toward the end zone.
Along with Penn State recruiting him, Sieg has offers from schools such an Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Pitt, Rutgers, Syracuse, USC, West Virginia and Wisconsin.