Seneca Valley graduate Tony DeRiggi (rear right) is pictured with his family, including front from left: daughter Gianna and son Dominic; and wife Monica. DeRiggi starred at linebacker for both Seneca Valley High School and Mount Union College. He will be inducted into the SV Sports Hall of Fame in September.Submitted Photo

This is the first of four articles profiling the Seneca Valley Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022.

ECONOMY, Beaver County — Playing football is not for everybody, but it proved to be the perfect fit for Tony DeRiggi.

"I started playing when I was seven-years-old and loved it from the first time I put a helmet on," said the 2004 Seneca Valley graduate. "I grew up in a family of Steelers fans. My grandfather, my uncles, they were all really into it."

Tony DeRiggi (47) makes a tackle for Mount Union College in 2006. The Seneca Valley graduate starred on the gridiron in high school and college and will be inducted into the SV Sports Hall of Fame in September. Submitted Photo

DeRiggi described himself as a "tough, rebellious kid." Maybe it was that mentality that gave him an edge on the field. In any event, SV's varsity team made good use of it beginning in his sophomore season in 2001.

For three seasons, he was a starter and reliable playmaker at linebacker and led a staunch defensive effort that sparked an 8-3 season in 2002 which included a run to the WPIAL quarterfinals.

He went on to star at Mount Union College, a Division III national powerhouse.

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