By Matthew Peaslee

mpeaslee@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

Zach Zidian is all about moving forward.

The Boardman senior is heading to Pittsburgh to further his education and football career at Duquesne University. In the classroom, Zidian will major in supply chain management. On the football field, he’ll be strictly a nose tackle.

Used to playing both sides of the ball growing up, Zidian welcomes the one-sided change at the next level.

“It’ll make me more productive,” he said. “I’ll be focusing on my own game and getting better at that one position.”

He’s already looking forward to it.

“I’ll have more energy and just be ready to go on defense,” Zidian said. “Having a lot more juice in the tank is a good thing.”

What’s even better are his grades.

Zidian carries a 3.88 grade point average and will also minor in accounting. He chose supply chain management because he likes to be the man in charge. One day, he wants to oversee the shipping production of a major company.

“The way the world is moving, [supply chain management] can come in handy when I’m looking for a job out of college,” Zidian said, “especially coming from Duquesne. Not many other colleges offered it.”

He also received offers from Ashland, Lehigh, California (Pa.), Tiffin and Notre Dame College.

But ever since he took his official visit on January 5 Duquesne just felt right.

“It was a beautiful day and I felt comfortable as soon as I set foot on campus,” he said. “I love the atmosphere of being in Pittsburgh and being a part of the city life.”

Joshua Lott (Howland), E.J. Kosec (Poland) and Brett Modic (Poland) are other Valley natives that play for Duquesne. The Dukes went 9-2 last year, going 5-0 at home, to clinch a share of the Northeast Conference title.

“I’m getting there at the right time,” he said. “They’ve had a successful past and a bright future ahead. I’m glad I get to be a part of it.”