Seth Geyer

ADAMS TWP — The University of New Hampshire football team likes blue collar players, so it's not surprising the Wildcats took an interest in Seth Geyer.

Mars' senior inside linebacker and resident of Adams Township was one of 14 players who signed with UNH Feb. 2.

Geyer (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) will receive a full scholarship from the Division 1-AA school.

“Every Division II school in Pennsylvania showed interest in me,” said Geyer. “But it came down to Saint Francis (Pa.) and New Hampshire.

“I think I kept Saint Francis in mind because I wanted to stay close to home, but I visited New Hampshire's campus Jan. 29 and just fell in love with the place,” he added. “I kept an open mind throughout the whole process.”

Scott Heinauer, who has been the head coach at Mars for the past 19 seasons, has high praise for Geyer after watching him start at linebacker for the past two and a half seasons.

“Seth is a linebacker who plays downhill,” he said. “That means he attacks the runner and I think that's why New Hampshire liked him so much.

“I believe he's one of the top two linebackers I've ever coached here at Mars,” Heinauer added. “You've got (1997 graduate) Joe McKinney and Seth's right behind him.”

McKinney went on to play at Penn State University.

Geyer, who also rushed for 609 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior wingback, is coming off a season in which he led the Planets in tackles despite playing with a broken left thumb.

“I first broke it in a scrimmage against Beaver Falls,” he said. “Then I broke it again (in the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals) against West Allegheny.

“I finally had surgery on it in December and I just started lifting weights again this week,” added Geyer. “I had gone six months without lifting, so it's nice to get back into the swing of things.”

The injury did not detract from Geyer's play — he was named a Greater Allegheny Conference first teamer on both offense and defense.

New Hampshire competes in the Colonial Athletic Association. This past season, the Wildcats went 8-5 overall, including a spot in the NCAA quarterfinals.

In 12 seasons as the program's head coach, Sean McDonnell has guided the Wildcats to an overall record of 88-57.

“(UNH) likes the way I play football,” Geyer said, “but they usually redshirt freshmen. That's what I'm expecting them to do with me next year.”

McDonnell could not be reached for comment.