JUSTIN FLACK

Derry Area

The past week: Flack scored eight touchdowns (six rushing, one kickoff return, one pick-six) in Derry’s 63-20 win against Yough. He rushed for 159 yards, helping the Trojans move to 7-1 overall.

Check this out: With 24 touchdowns this season, the senior is one of the top scorers in the WPIAL.

Eight touchdowns in a single game is pretty crazy. Have you ever done anything like that before? No. I had five against Mount Pleasant, but nothing like eight against Yough.

Was anything in particular going right for you? My offensive line was just hitting their blocks and that’s why I’ve been so successful this year, because of them.

What kind of potential does this Derry team have? We have all the potential in the world. We’ve got speed, I think we have one of the best offensive lines in the conference and we have so many weapons on our offense that you don’t know who is getting the ball. So I think we’re the team to beat.

What did you guys learn from that close Elizabeth Forward loss? It’s never fun to lose, especially against that team, because last year they beat us pretty good. This year they kind of, first half, I think it was probably the same score [as the loss last year], but we just continued to battle. Even though we lost, I think we had better effort this year against them than we did last year.

You lead the team in both rushing and receiving. What’s your favorite position to play and why? I like to play receiver. In our offense, our receivers mostly block, and I love blocking.

Normally, people like to have the ball in their hand. Well, if it means me getting the ball five times a game or 20, I don’t really care, as long as we’re winning.

What’s something people would be surprised to know about you? I’m a quiet kid, I’m not really a vocal person.

Do you have any superstitions, or anything you have to do before games? I wear the same shirt and socks. The socks are white Nike socks and my shirt is a Derry football shirt.

What’s on your pregame playlist? I like to listen to some Le’Veon Bell music, but I listen to him and some country music to kind of calm me down before the games.

Is Le’Veon your favorite Steeler? He is. Well, not right now, because of the holdout right now, but yeah.

What’s the best thing you can cook? Probably chili. Chili’s the best thing.

What’s your ideal football weather? Not hot weather, like 80s, 90s, I’m more like a 30s, 40-degree weather kind of person.

— By Sarah K. Spencer

LANDY MERTZ

Upper St. Clair

The past week: Mertz had two goals and an assist as the Upper St. Clair girls soccer team defeated Mt. Lebanon, 4-2, Monday night to clinch a tie for the section championship.

Check this out: Mertz, a 5-foot-4 senior midfielder, is considered one of the top players in the WPIAL. She has been a four-year starter and has 18 goals and 14 assists this year for the Panthers (12-3), who have won eight in a row. Mertz, a University of Dayton recruit, missed almost all of last season with injuries. She comes from a soccer family. Brothers Robbie and Ryan play at the University of Michigan and Delaware, respectively. Sister, Leah, also played at Upper St. Clair as well as the Mertz’s father, Rob. Landy has a weighted 4.5 grade-point average.

Considering your family, was there a soccer ball in your crib when you were born? [Laugh] Well, my dad played soccer and that’s what kind of got us all started. For me, having three older siblings just naturally got me into it. My mom made me do dance and all those types of things when I was little, but I hated pretty much all of them except soccer.

So, being the youngest, were you spoiled or did the brothers and sisters make you tough? It’s not like they’re mean siblings, but I think there was a little tough love, as far as soccer goes. They were just always pushing me.

Did missing most of last year change you and how? I don’t know if I’d say it changed me, but it gave me a different perspective on high school soccer. Everyone says it goes by so fast. For me to miss almost an entire season was difficult. It gave me a new appreciation for being out on the field and being able to help my teammates.

Any significance to your first name? It’s my mom’s maiden name. My full name is actually Lauren Landy Mertz.

Why go by your middle name? It was sort of just chosen for me [laugh]. I usually only get called Lauren on the first day of school. As soon as I correct them, I don’t get called Lauren again.

Ever been to a football game at the “Big House” at Michigan? I have not, but it’s definitely something I want to do.

It’s 10 at night and you’re hungry. What’s the late-night snack? Cereal, for sure. I love cereal. Frosted Flakes are probably my favorite.

Any hidden talents? I’ve actually been playing the piano since first grade.

— By Mike White 

First Published: October 17, 2018, 11:00 a.m.