Apollo-Ridge lineman Spencer Sells making up for lost time

By: Michael Love
Saturday, August 12, 2023 | 4:19 PM

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Spencer Sells didn’t come out for the Apollo-Ridge football team his freshman and sophomore seasons.

He said he was 50/50 with football at the time, weighing wanting to play with other factors, including the covid pandemic his freshman year in 2020.

“I do have regrets about that looking back, 100 percent,” the senior offensive guard and defensive tackle said.

“(Football) is my favorite thing in the world. Coming out here with my friends and teammates every day, it just makes my day. They are like my family. That is what drives me. We’re all working towards having a really good season and making the playoffs again.”

While he understood he couldn’t get those first two seasons back, he dedicated himself to playing the game last fall and has continued to be a force in the trenches.

“The offseason work we all did was great,” Sells said. “We got conditioned, got stronger and really improved together with workouts on the field.”

That work culminates for all of the Apollo-Ridge players Monday as they begin official preseason practices.

Sells said he takes pride in the fact that if called upon, he can play any position along the offensive line.

He is most comfortable at right guard, where he start for the second straight season, but he also is the backup center.

“I can play anywhere,” Sells said. “I want to make sure I understand the calls and terminology at each position so I can help out the younger guys on the line. They know they can come to me with any questions.”

Sells is the only senior in the trenches for the Vikings. The only other offensive starter back is junior Ryan Lydon (5-8, 300), who moved to center this year after starting at left guard last year.

“A lot of times, from year to year, you’re going to have people move around,” Sells said.

“It’s for the good of the team. We all have a great relationship. All of the younger guys are really coming along. I think people will see that the line is going to be pretty good. We’re going to be ready for Leechburg.”

The Vikings and Blue Devils renew their early-season nonconference rivalry Aug. 25 at Leechburg’s Veterans Stadium.

“The rivalry with them is amazing,” Sells said. “There’s a lot of talk before the game. You can’t wait to get out there and start hitting. Being prepared for games like that one is why we come out here and work as hard as we do.”

Sells’ play at guard as a junior last fall didn’t go unnoticed by Allegheny Conference coaches, who voted him a first-team offensive all-star.

“That was pretty cool to be recognized like that,” Sells said.

Sells said he also hopes to be a bigger presence along the defensive line this year. He sees himself as a mix of someone who can stand his ground along the line of scrimmage and clog up running lanes and also create havoc in the backfield and chase down the quarterback.

“I am good with my hands, and I can get through and find the football,” Sells said. “It’s all about getting off the ball and staying low. Doing that, good things can happen.”

Sells’ mix of knowledge and physical ability serves him well as a veteran presence for the young linemen group, Apollo-Ridge third-year offensive and defensive line coach Justin Amendola said.

“Spencer’s that cornerstone for us,” Amendola said.

“He’s strong, tough and is just a great leader. He does everything you ask him to. He doesn’t mind at all mentoring the younger linemen. He can play anywhere along the line. When he played for the first time, the learning curve was quick, but he caught on. Being at that guard spot, he can communicate with the tackle or the center. He motivates them and pushes them, but he does it in a way that teaches them. He’s like a coach on the field.

“Even in the weight room over the summer, he was that positive influence. It’s not like yelling and screaming, but he would always get his point across in the way you are supposed to do things.”

Sells said he would like to keep playing in college.

“I am looking to play at the next level, but we’ll see what comes,” said Sells, who hopes a strong senior season will help open more eyes.

“There are a lot of guys from Apollo-Ridge like (Duquesne freshman Dom Curci) who are playing on college teams. The opportunity is hopefully there for me, too.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge