Perkiomen Valley's Stewart sticks with 'Nova

Perkiomen Valley senior Rasaan Stewart had scholarship offers from several Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly 1-A) schools, but decided Villanova was the best fit.

The 6-foot, 185-pound Stewart will make it official with the Wildcats when high school seniors can begin signing national letters of intent on Wednesday.

"Villanova was the first school to show interest, and they were there before the big schools contacted me and I had a special connection with them," said Stewart, an Inquirer first-team all-Southeastern Pennsylvania choice as an all-purpose back. "I love the football program and education I will receive."

Stewart was a quarterback and safety for Perkiomen Valley and said he has been recruited to play on defense. Of course, there is a chance that a tug of war could take place between the offensive and defensive coaches for his services.

"I was told it could be some offense, playing in the slot, a possible return man, and either a corner or safety," Stewart said.

One position Stewart said he won't play is quarterback, even though he was a quick study at the position. He had never played quarterback until moving there from running back before his sophomore year.

This past season, Stewart passed for 2,185 yards and 26 touchdowns and rushed for 1,386 yards and 20 touchdowns.

He can be that same type of playmaker on defense.

"He is probably the most intense competitive player I ever coached," Perkiomen Valley coach Scott Reed said. "Defensively, he is the best athlete I ever coached."

Stewart, who is also a member of the basketball team, said the proximity of Villanova was another factor in his decision.

"That is a big thing," he said. "All the local people who want to see me play from around here will get to do that."

Stewart helped provide a longer-than-expected postseason, leading the 15th-seeded Vikings to the PIAA Class AAAA semifinals before they fell, 40-19, to North Penn.

That was his final game for Perkiomen Valley, but he will represent his school one more time. Stewart recently was named to the Big 33 game. Pennsylvania will meet Maryland in the game on June 14 at Hersheypark Stadium. It certainly will prepare Stewart for preseason camp at Villanova.

@sjnard