Westmoreland County football Q&A with Hempfield’s Braden Brose

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, August 30, 2017 | 6:45 PM

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Hempfield's Braden Brose didn't even start playing football until three years ago. That's when a growth spurt merged with an equally sprouting interest in the game, and so began his transformation into the big-framed, tacky-handed player he has become.

The tight end and linebacker went from a 6-foot, 140-pound eighth-grader to a 6-foot-4, 235-pound senior destined to give defensive backs cold sweats and opposing coaches migraines.

Nobody wants to go one-on-one with the kid they call “Gronk.” Hempfield likes to line him up wide sometimes to create mismatches.

“I feel like I can go against any DB with my height,” Brose said. “Football is what I am best at. I like catching the ball and scoring touchdowns.”

Brose caught eight passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns in Hempfield's season-opening 49-21 win over Greensburg Salem.

“He's a man out there,” Hempfield coach Rich Bowen said. “And he's young. He just turned 17. He'll go his whole senior year without turning 18. Braden is starting to enjoy football. He can be as good as he wants to be.”

Bowen said he expects Brose to catch 50 or 60 passes this season and be a “dominating force.”

Bowen said Brose has been solid on defense, too. And there aren't many better blockers. The coach wasn't talking about breakfast when he asked a couple of assistant coaches, “How many pancakes did Braden have last week?' ” They answered, “Five or six.”

“He has really become a good blocker. He just drives kids into the ground,” Bowen said.

Seton Hill and Slippery Rock have offered scholarships to Brose, but some Division I schools are showing greater interest.

Brose, who also plays baseball and basketball, took some time to talk about his favorite sport after a practice this week:

You seem to have great chemistry with senior quarterback Justin Sliwowski. Is that just natural or has it taken time?

We have been working at it. We play (seven-on-seven) with Evolve together, and there were times we were up here working out in the snow in January. We always keep up with things.

Do you like being called “Gronk”?

Yes. (New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski) is my role model. He's a WPIAL guy.

What did you play most before you took up football?

Baseball, basketball and soccer. From seventh to eighth grade I grew eight inches. I went from being the point guard in basketball to the big man. I went from the outfield to first base in baseball.

Why do you think a Division I school has not offered yet?

The film they have from last year didn't show me blocking much. Hopefully they can see more of that this year.

What do you like to do for fun?

Hang out with friends. I like when we go to the beach. We go to Hilton Head and catch sharks. We get a charter boat. We get about 10 a year. My brother caught a 5-footer.

Why hasn't Hempfield football had a breakthrough type of year, with a deep playoff run?

We weren't really expected to win (in past seasons) and that carries over. But coach Bowen has really brought the program back.

Your mom, Lisa, is the athletic trainer at Hempfield. Has she ever had to treat you for a bad injury?

When I was a sophomore, I broke my thumb. I didn't want her to see it so I tried to suck it up. We taped it up, and I went back in.

Bill Beckner is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Hempfield Area