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By Dave Mackall

Published: Thursday, November 8, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Thursday, November 8, 2012

After running roughshod in a WPIAL Class AA playoffs opener last week, Tyler Mellors and Mt. Pleasant have a date with top-ranked Aliquippa on Friday at Peters Township High School.

Mellors, a stocky workhorse for Mt. Pleasant since becoming a starter in the backfield as a freshman in 2010, is looking forward to another challenge in the quarterfinals after leading the Vikings past Burrell, 48-28.

The junior already is gaining interest from Division I FCS schools but also is considering playing baseball. On the gridiron, he is averaging 9.1 yards per carry and has gained 1,426 yards this season for eighth-seeded Mt. Pleasant (8-2).

Aliquippa (10-0) has recorded five shutouts this season, including a 55-0 rout of Steel Valley in the first round of the playoffs.

Q: What has it been like at Mt. Pleasant after you guys got a playoff victory for the first time in three years?

A: It's been pretty good. We're pretty happy. Our confidence is up a lot.

Q: You're having a good career there, but where do you rank this effort last week against Burrell in a playoff atmosphere?

A: I don't know. It was probably one of my better games. Especially since we won it.

Q: Do you have a favorite athlete that perhaps you try to emulate or learn from?

A: I kind of envy (New England Patriots running back) Danny Woodhead, because he just proves that you can be small and however tall to be in the NFL (Woodhead is 5-7, 195; Mellors is 5-7, 170).

Q: Who's been the biggest influence in your life?

A: Probably my dad, because he pushed me so much. He was my coach in the Midget Football league. I'd be talking in the huddle, and then I'd be running for nine years after that.

Q: What are your interests besides sports?

A: I like lifting, playing Xbox with my friends, hanging out with my friends. I'm always on the move.

Q: You've still got another year of high school to go, but is it too early to tell what your plans might be after graduation?

A: I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm definitely going to go to college, but I'm not yet sure what I'll major in. And as far as sports goes, it's a toss-up right now between baseball and football. I'm going to see what's better for me. I'm hoping football, though. I like hitting people.

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