Greensburg Salem’s Julian Stevens mixes personality with athletic ability to lead Golden Lions

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, August 14, 2023 | 3:50 PM

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A mauler with a mean streak, Julian Stevens has a reputation that precedes him.

But there is more to the bruising Greensburg Salem senior tight end and linebacker than meets the eye.

Last month, when Golden Lions superfan Jean Rowe died, Stevens led the team into the funeral home and gave a speech to honor the woman everyone called “Mrs. Claus.”

He spoke on the team’s behalf about a woman he knew of but had never met. A woman whose passion he envied.

Rowe served school lunches and cheered for her favorite team for decades, doing the latter from the press box in recent years. Stevens and his teammates paid their respects and showed their appreciation for Rowe, who lived to 95.

“One of the booster mothers asked me if I would talk, and I said, ‘absolutely,’ ” Stevens said. “Mrs. Rowe was part of our family. She was always there for us, so we wanted to be there for her. We wanted her family to know how much she meant to us. We all signed a game ball and put it in her casket.”

Similarly, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Stevens is the kind of player Rowe would appreciate.

“He’s such a likable kid,” Greensburg Salem first-year coach Ty George said. “He has a big personality. In his leadership role, he holds other kids accountable, and that is great to see.”

George said Stevens has spent offseason time in the weight room getting stronger and preparing himself to be a force for the Golden Lions.

“He is the youngest of three brothers,” George said. “It is his turn now.”

“Jules” will continue to block and catch passes as a tight end, but his role on defense will change slightly as he goes from middle linebacker to outside linebacker.

He will continue to make the call-outs and anchor the unit.

“In the middle, there is a lot more stuff to do,” Stevens said. “Now, I will be able to move around and help stop the run more. I have really been working on defensive drills and trying to use my hands more. I have worked with my brother. I am trying to fill his shoes.”

Jayden Stevens used to play outside linebacker for the Golden Lions. A third brother, Trent, also played at Greensburg Salem.

Trent Stevens is now a Pennsylvania state trooper.

“We beat up on each other,” Julian Stevens said of his oldest brother. “He helps me with some of his police training drills.

“My brothers played here, my dad and uncles all played here. It’s great to be part of that tradition.”

Stevens wants to join the military, listing the Air Force as his favorite at this point. He also would like to continue his football career.

Stevens said he was impressed with former teammate Cody Rubrecht, a standout who excelled at quarterback, receiver and defensive back.

Who wasn’t?

Rubrecht produced 1,000-yard seasons as a receiver, passer and rusher before moving on to Seton Hill.

“He was amazing, the things he did,” Stevens said. “He is hard to replace. But I want to be that guy now. The leader of the team and a senior captain. I want to have a bigger role as a tight end.”

Stevens had only three receptions for 40 yards, but two of the catches went for touchdowns.

He was the second-leading tackler on defense.

“Right now, it’s all about beating Hempfield,” Stevens said of the Golden Lions’ Week Zero opener. “We’re going to surprise some people, I think. We’re going to be better.

“You only get four years, and they go by quick. I want this to be a great year. I love the game.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg Salem