Familiar future
JACKSON TWP — In at least one respect, Colgate University will feel a lot like home for T.J. Holl.
Colgate's football program runs the spread offense, which Holl has familiarized himself with while playing at Seneca Valley.
He made a verbal commitment Monday night to continue his academic and athletic careers at the Division 1-AA school, located in Hamilton, N.Y., 40 miles southeast of Syracuse.
“I made an unofficial visit in August,” said Holl, who was recruited as a quarterback and will receive a full athletic scholarship. “My family and I plan to go back for my official visit later this fall, maybe catch a home football game.
“They run the spread offense with the quarterback doing a lot of running, just like we do here,” he added.
Colgate does not redshirt freshman players, which is fine with Holl.
“I'll have the chance to get on the field next year, even if it's on special teams,” he said. “They have a pretty talented guy at quarterback right now, Jake Melville, and he's a sophomore. It's not like I'm going to walk into a (starting) spot, but I'm going to work my butt off.”
In his first season as a starter last fall, Holl led the Raiders to the WPIAL Class AAAA quarterfinals, passing for nearly 2,100 yards and rushing for 821 more. He accounted for 27 total touchdowns.
“If I've had one person tell me this, I've had 30. They say that he plays like a coach's son,” said SV coach and T.J.'s father, Don Holl. “He's been around the game and he understands it. He is a competitor and has the will to win. Those things matter.”
Colgate, also nicknamed the Raiders, competes in the Patriot League, which includes three schools in Pennsylvania — Lafayette, Lehigh and Bucknell.
Dan Hunt is in his first season as head coach at Colgate, which is 2-2 after four games.
The younger Holl suffered a sprained ligament in his right knee in August, but has returned as the Raiders' starting signal caller. He has taken a break from playing safety on defense, but that could change depending on how his knee holds up.
Holl continues to rehab and to wear a brace as he and his teammates try to overcome an 0-4 start to qualify for the district playoffs.
Seneca Valley earned its first victory of the season last week, a 29-22 decision against Butler.
“It was a nail-biter, but we played well enough to win,” T.J. said. “We have two huge section games coming up at home and we're excited about this week (against Pine-Richland).”
