![\"Joe](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lebobeat.com\/staging\/1488\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC_3394-copy.jpg?w=800&ssl=1\")
\u201cWhatever you think you\u2019re doing right now, you can always do more and learn more,\u201d Malone said. \u201cIf you really want to get to that D1 level, there are sacrifices you\u2019ll have to make that most people don\u2019t even realize. You must be mentally strong and not let outside noise distract you from your goal. Always have that competitive mindset because someone out there is working just as hard, trying to take what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malone credits his team-first mindset for allowing him to succeed. He plans to bring the same mentality to the next level \u2014 one that he said has grown and developed throughout his years at Mt. Lebanon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senior linebacker Grayson Beck plans to attend Princeton University next fall. After a standout junior season that earned him all-section first-team honors, Beck tore his ACL in the offseason, sidelining him for his senior year. The setback gave him a new perspective while supporting his teammates from the sideline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy mindset never really changed, whether I was on the field or the sideline,\u201d Beck said. \u201cThe goals were always the same \u2014 to help the team get better and win every Friday night. I think from my injury, I learned most how to lead from the sideline and still have a voice on the team, no matter if I couldn\u2019t play.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beck said the injury also taught him to be grateful for every opportunity. To younger players, he urged them to take advantage of every moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI tell all the players below to really enjoy the time you have and play every play like it\u2019s your last,\u201d Beck said. \u201cI finished last season thinking, \u2018Oh, well, I still have another season to play and get better,\u2019 but I never even ended up being able to practice, so I really wish I took advantage of the three years I had prior.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n During his time with the program, Beck learned how to face adversity. The Class of 2026 seniors had three coaches in three years, forcing them to adapt to new systems and personalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat situation taught me how to adapt and stay disciplined no matter the circumstances,\u201d Beck said. \u201cI know the challenges we faced here will help guide me through college.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Senior defensive end Jackson Kraemer will attend Villanova University next fall. He chose Villanova for its mix of football, academics and faith \u2014 something he said was very important to him. He credits Lebo football for preparing him for the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m most excited about the academics and the opportunity to meet new people,\u201d Kraemer said. \u201cLebo football has helped shape me as a player through its rigorous program. I\u2019ve grown so much as a person, and I\u2019ve learned a lot about life just by playing football.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the four players will head in different directions next fall, they share deep gratitude for the memories and lessons learned as part of Mt. Lebanon\u2019s football tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlways have fun,\u201d Smith said. \u201cThere\u2019s really not much time to play high school football, so when you have the chance to play, enjoy the game you love with the people you love. Going hard at everything you do and taking pride in your actions will lead to success down the line.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kraemer agreed, adding that the relationships he built through football are ones he\u2019ll cherish forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Malone echoed the sentiment, saying the senior season meant everything to him both as a player and a person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s been about brotherhood and creating those relationships that go far beyond football,\u201d Malone said. \u201cIt\u2019s crazy to think it\u2019s finally over \u2014 that I\u2019ve played my last game with these boys I\u2019ve grown up with. We\u2019ve put in so much together over the years, and knowing it\u2019s come to an end is emotional, but it\u2019s also something I\u2019ll never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Mt. Lebanon seniors reflect on lessons learned, lasting friendships, and the drive that took them to college football\u2019s highest level.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":34108,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"nfd_image_url":"","nfd_onboarding_generated":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[53],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-high-school"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Grayson](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lebobeat.com\/staging\/1488\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC_8661-Enhanced-NR.jpg?w=800&ssl=1\")
![\"Jackson](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lebobeat.com\/staging\/1488\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC_2549-copy.jpg?w=800&ssl=1\")