Trinity High School has a well-decorated football history. Trinity football started in 1922 with one shared WPIAL Championship in 1948 and a section championship win in 1986. Recent success, aided by Senior Semaj Fuse’s involvement, led to the team’s first playoff game victory since 2007 in 2023. Last year was also the first time they made it to back-to-back quarterfinals in 2023 and 2024.
Fuse plans to attend a Division One school for football. Fuse planned to commit to one of the six schools offering him scholarships: Monmouth University in New Jersey, Miami University of Ohio, Rutgers, the University of Pittsburgh, Akron University or Robert Morris University.
Fuse signed with Robert Morris University in February: “All of the schools that offered me have similar benefits, but this one has really good legacies in college football.”
Fuse, a three-star recruit and one of the top defensive end recruits out of Western Pennsylvania, stands at 6-foot-1 and weighs 263 pounds. The defensive end pressures the quarterback and disrupts offensive plays, commonly on the outside of the defensive line. They are tasked with stopping plays that try to go outside their position and forcing the play inside, where there are more defenders. On passing plays, they must try to sack or rush the quarterback.
Fuse described what he attributes being named a three-star recruit to: “I’ve worked so hard for so long and it has paid off in the end.”
Three-star recruits have the potential to contribute significantly to a college program, possibly even becoming starters at the college level, particularly at mid-major or Group of Five schools, and could develop into a star player. Three-star ratings encompass a wide range of talent levels, with analysts often categorizing them into high, mid and low three-star categories.
Trinity football’s head coach, Mr. Knause, stated, “Fuse’s work ethic and love for the game are what made him a D1 prospect. He would do well anywhere he commits. Semaj was named 1st Team All Conference on both sides of the ball, OT and DL. He was also named the Big 6 Defensive Player of the Year and was the foundation of our offensive and defensive fronts.”
Fuse has a well-respected career on the Trinity SHS football team. He leads the team in tackles for loss and is fourth in tackles. He also leads Trinity in sacks at 7.0 and has one fumble recovery, which he returned for a 50-yard touchdown against Ringgold High School.
He hoped to finish his senior year at Trinity with a state championship. Trinity headed into the 4A playoffs as a five-seed. They defeated Belle Vernon in the final week of the season for the first time in 30 years to qualify for the 4A playoffs. They lost to Aliquippa in the playoffs but finished with a conference record of 4-1, placing second in the Big Conference; TJ secured first place and eventually won the WPIAL title.
Fuse is respected by his coaches and has a strong work ethic, which is often seen at practices and in games.
“I believe his foundation is from home and the love of the sport. His love for the game and his teammates were evident at practice and games. He played and practiced with a high motor every day! I truly believe Semaj can accomplish great things on the field if he keeps his person-student-player structure. Many factors go into being an elite college athlete. Semaj has the athletic ability and character traits to do special things,” said Knause.
Trinity wishes Fuse lots of success in his future athletic career at RMU. Good luck, Fuse!
