One of State High’s most successful offensive linemen is going to the next level. Senior center Reese Wilson has signed with Lycoming College, picking the program over four other division III offers.
Wilson, a two-year letterman in football and 2024 Mid-Penn Commonwealth First Team choice, played two years as the anchor of the Little Lions’ offensive line without giving up a sack. He was also an academic star, earning Pennsylvania All-Academic Gold and Silver Team recognition.
Wilson selected Lycoming because it was near home and had a strong football tradition.
“Distance was a big thing and only being just under an hour away, and I really enjoyed the coaching staff and the history of the team and the campus and everything,” Wilson said.
Wilson’s road to college football wasn’t always easy. As an undersized lineman, he had to work harder than most to gain his recognition.
“It means a lot,” Wilson said of being selected for the All-Conference team. “Being undersized and everything, it was hard. I felt like I had to do extra. Like, I had to put in extra work, extra time, and everything… Being able to earn those accolades means a lot. I feel like they represent me as a player.”
That work ethic impressed even his teammates. Sophomore Logan Heverly, who played with him this season, said that he was impressed with Wilson’s technical game and leadership.
“He showed me how to fix my stance and be more agile and getting low out of the stance,” Heverly said. “He was undersized and still was able to play at a higher level than others on the team.”
Wilson wasn’t just a leader with words—he led by example. Junior guard Luke Milito, who started alongside him on the offensive line, described Wilson as a steady, motivated presence.
“He just never gave up … if you needed help in any situation, he could always offer it and made sure everyone saw the same thing he was seeing on the field,” Milito said.
Though Wilson wasn’t the loudest voice in the locker room, his leadership never wavered.
“I would say I’m more of a quiet leader,” Wilson explained. “Like, I’m not wanting to get up in front of everyone and start talking, you know? But, like, I pull them aside before games and everything, and we talk about a game plan. Then we talk over, like, if this situation happens, like, this is what we’re gonna do, this is how we’re gonna react. So, I feel that sort of thing helped them all individually grow as players.”
Milito agreed, adding that Wilson’s leadership kept the offensive line intact.
“He was always locked in at practice and is always trying to make himself better at all moments of practice, and during the game, he tries to progress,” Milito said.
Wilson’s leadership extended beyond the field. He also organized workouts, team-building activities and optional practice sessions so younger linemen would be ready to fill in when the moment arrived.
“He led O-line workouts a lot, and he organized a team workout together after practices,” Heverly said. “And we organized team-building exercises by going out to eat together, and he led those.”
With Wilson no longer present, State High’s offensive line will have large cleats to fill next year.
“Anytime you lose a guy, especially like him, it’ll be hard to replace,” Milito said. “But I think we have a good coaching staff that can help and support and develop people.”
Milito sent one message to Wilson as he embarks on the next chapter of his life as a football player: “Just keep being who you are. You’re a great guy, and I have a lot of respect for you.”
As Wilson prepares for college football, he reflects on the brotherhood he built at State High.
“I’ve played with a good amount—like, a high percentage of [this team]—most of my life, and being able to play with them at this level and see all of us grow and mature as we get older [has been really special],” Wilson said.
Wilson will go on from here and refine his skill to the highest level through determination, leadership, and grit—qualities that helped mold one of State High’s best linemen.
