2024 Trib HSSN Preseason Football All-Star Team: Peters Township’s Mickey Vaccarello

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, July 14, 2024 | 6:00 PM

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If there is one thing Mickey Vaccarello wants to improve on during his senior season, it would be his contributions on offense.

The Peters Township senior’s offensive numbers weren’t that impressive in 2023 because of all the playmakers the Indians had.

He did catch a touchdown pass in the WPIAL Class 5A championship game against Pine-Richland, but the tight end caught only nine passes for 115 yards and rushed three times for 15 yards and a score.

But Vaccarello made his name on defense, where he put up monster numbers from his outside linebacker spot.

That’s why he was named to the Trib HSSN Preseason Football All-Star Team.

“College recruiters asked me if Mickey could play ‘Mike’ linebacker or safety,” Peters Township coach T.J. Plack said. “I told them he could play anywhere, but he destroyed opponents’ running games. He’s strong, intelligent and powerful. He’s very athletic.”

Vaccarello isn’t a vocal leader. He lets his play do his talking.

“I will speak up when it’s needed,” Vaccarello said. “I like to lead by example.”

Vaccarello said he has been working out and working for his dad.

“I need to work on my blocking so I can be involved offensively,” Vaccarello said. “When I caught the touchdown pass against Pine-Richland, that was cool. Defensively, I’d like to be more involved in pass coverage and get an interception. I also need to be able to shed blockers and be disruptive in stopping the run.”

Plack added: “Mickey is a very confident young man. He definitely will contribute on offense. He’s a special player.”

Vaccarello is a three-star outside linebacker according to 247 Sports. He committed to Stanford from more than 20 offers including Harvard, Boston College, Syracuse, Yale and Utah.

“Stanford has excellent academics, and because it is in the ACC, a lot of games will be close to home,” Vaccarello said. “It was the right fit for me.”

Vaccarello said winning the WPIAL title and playing in the PIAA championship were memorable games.

“We really came together as a team, and a lot of guys stepped up,” Vaccarello said. “We had a special group of seniors.

“I think this team has a chance to repeat. We’ll need the young players to step up. Coach Plack has developed something special here. Players are buying into the system. They’ve created a better culture.”

Mickey Vaccarello

School: Peters Township

Class: Senior

Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-3, 216 pounds

Positions: Outside linebacker/tight end

Stars: three-star 247 Sports

Committed to: Stanford

Other Division I offers: He had more than 20 offers which included Harvard, Yale, Boston College, Syracuse and Utah.

2023 statistics: Defensive: 111 tackles, 61 solo, 13 sacks, 29 tackles for losses and one safety. Offensive: 9 catches for 115 yards, one touchdown and three carries for 15 yards and one touchdown.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Peters Township