After guiding Allderdice to four wins in his first five games as head coach along with a trip to the City League championship game in his debut season last fall, Dragons coach Mark Matson has a handful of horses returning to his stable for year two.
None will provide a bigger impact on both sides of the ball, though, than senior tight end-edge rusher Lukas “The Stallion” Stead.
“The kid never stops. He never stops working,” Matson said. “He was a captain last year, and now this year, he’s even more vocal. Just making sure to lead from the front in everything. Trying to be first in every sprint, going first in every drill, just doing everything he can. I expect big numbers on both sides of the ball from him this year.
“He just wants to be on the field, and he wants to go out a champion. He’s pushing everyone else to achieve that.”
A 6-foot-4, 230-pound wrecking ball who holds a scholarship offer from Akron and is also receiving interest from several other FBS schools, Stead is a three-sport standout at Allderdice who has made major contributions for the Dragons on the gridiron since his freshman year. After starting out as mainly a special-teams ace, Stead evolved into an all-city performer as a sophomore tight end-linebacker, then he took his game to a new level last fall.
In 11 games played as a junior, Stead tallied 20 receptions for 208 yards and a touchdown while racking up 53 tackles on defense — including 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks — to go along with three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown return.
Not bad for somebody in only his third year of playing organized football.
“Whenever you’re preparing to play Allderdice, you have to know where that kid is every single play. I haven’t seen many kids his size with his athletic ability and versatility,” said Westinghouse coach Donta Green, whose Bulldogs defeated the Dragons in last year’s City League championship game, 40-12. “With a kid like that, you have to be creative with how you block him and keep throwing different things at him. … He can catch the ball up the seam really well, and he just wreaks havoc from the defensive end position.
“Aside from coaching against him, I would say I’m a big fan of his as well.”
Also the reigning City League boys basketball Player of the Year, Stead helped Allderdice secure its fourth consecutive City League title in February, further cementing the Dragons’ hoops dynasty with title No. 13 in the past 16 seasons. A double-double machine on the hardwood, the bruising power forward is a bona fide force in the paint, but this upcoming season will be his last time playing basketball.
Although his future at the next level appears to be brightest in football, Stead never played the sport until he got to high school. Instead, baseball was his first love — and while Allderdice no longer competes in the City League, Stead helped the Dragons put together their best campaign in recent memory last spring, finishing with an overall record of 14-7 with the season culminating in their first PIAA tournament appearance since 2012.
“Right now, it’s looking like it’s going to be football, but I’m still open to playing baseball at the next level,” Stead said.
Despite sustaining an elbow injury that has prevented him from pitching since his sophomore year, Stead has excelled as a first baseman and utility player for Allderdice. If he were to undergo Tommy John surgery to repair his torn UCL, he could even potentially pitch again in college.
That being said, his focus right now lies strictly on the football field first and foremost.
“I made a bigger commitment this summer to being in the weight room every single day,” Stead said. “Lifts have been a little longer. I’ll do my weights first, then I’ll go upstairs to the area with the boxes and everything and do my plyometrics. … It really started in basketball, making a team commitment, getting all the guys in there, just for the team bonding aspect. Then it transitioned over into something I really enjoy.”
Going into his senior year, Stead will be looking to put on a show for college coaches and scouts — but more importantly, he will be doing everything in his power to lift the Dragons to their first City League title since 2021. Knocking off the mighty Westinghouse Bulldogs, winners of three consecutive City League championships and five of the past six, will certainly be no easy task — and Stead wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I enjoy it,” Stead said. “It’s a battle every time we play. Coach Donta [Green], he does a great job over there with the kids [at Westinghouse]. They’re bought in. And I think this year, all our guys are bought in. I think we’re ready.”
With all-city senior running back Nasir Scott returning to help lead the charge on offense, plus a veteran presence in senior quarterback Trecyn Ford, Allderdice could have one of its most talented teams in years. And while Stead has been featured as more of a traditional tight end in the past, Matson hinted at his intentions to get his prized prospect the ball in as many ways as possible — even likening him to the Dragons’ version of former Penn State star Tyler Warren.
In other words, the sky is the limit for “The Stallion” in 2025.
“He can throw a ball 65 yards, easily,” Matson said. “We can run a little Wildcat or some [run-pass option] stuff with him. We’re looking for some different ways to get him involved on offense. … He’s our biggest threat, for sure.
“He is the heart and soul [of the team]. You can’t say enough good things about him.”
Steve is a sports writer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at srotstein@unionprogress.com.
