CTA's WPIAL & City League 3nd Round of Playoffs Player of the Week: Thomas Jefferson's McClain Flinn

Thomas Jefferson football player McClain Flinn squats in the endzone during the WPIAL 4A Football Championship game against Belle Vernon on Nov.16, 2019.

SOURCE: (Twitter, @McclainFlinn)

McClain Flinn

School: Thomas Jefferson

Position: LB/WR

Year: Junior

Height: 6-1

Weight: 185

Claim To Fame

This past Saturday, in the WPIAL 4A Football Championship game, Thomas Jefferson football player McClain Flinn intercepted Vaughn Morris' (Aliquippa's quarterback) third-down pass in the end zone in overtime to clinch the WPIAL 4A Titles as the Jaguars won by a score of 35-28. The drive before Flinn's game-winning interception, Thomas Jefferson quarterback Jake Pugh scored on a 2-yard run in the first drive of overtime. So far this season, Flinn has recorded three receptions for 49 yards as he also scored one touchdown on one of his three receptions. A game-clinching interception that leads your team to a WPIAL championship can change someone's life forever. It can be clear that moment is something Flinn will never forget. The junior also plays baseball as he is a pitcher for Thomas Jefferson's baseball team. Him and the rest of the Jaguars will take on Oil City at home on Friday in the PIAA 4A Football Semifinals. If the Jaguars win, they will advance to the PIAA 4A Football Championship game for the second straight season.

Questions and Answers

What were you thinking when you caught the game-winning interception in overtime?

I wanted to return it, but I was pulled down by everybody so I just sat down. Man, it was the best feeling, running with my teammates knowing what we did, I couldn’t have pictured a better ending.

So, how many texts and phone notifications did you get after the game?

46 snapchats and about 70 texts.

You're now a 2x WPIAL champion in football. How does it feel that your Jaguars are back-to-back WPIAL football champions?

I feel great. I’m still on top of the world right now. My teammates and I have worked so hard to get there and we finally did it.

Seriously though, your team was up 28-14 and then Aliquippa scored 14 unanswered points to extend the game into overtime. How did your team manage to keep calm and win the game in which the Quips had momentum?

We knew when we were up that it was not over, they are a great football team; so we just had to keep our heads up and grind.

Your team plays Oil City (PIAA District 10 4A Football Champions) on Friday at home. What do you think your team needs to do to beat them on Friday in order to move onto the PIAA 4A Football Championship?

We have to all come together as one and be the great football team that we are.

How bad do you and your Jaguars want to repeat as PIAA 4A Football Champions?

It’s been the goal since we’ve won last year.

You also play baseball. So, what's it like being a multi-sport athlete?

It’s good that the two seasons are at different times so I can focus on one sport in different seasons.

Who is an NFL player or college football player that you admire or watch film on?

Kam Chancellor was my favorite player of all time. The way he played and came up and hit people was mesmerizing.

Now, who is an MLB player or college baseball player that you admire or watch film on? I've been watching Clayton Kershaw since I was a kid. At one point I even tried to throw like him, but it wasn’t my style.

AND FINALLY

What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?

I am a type one diabetic.

Brentaro Yamane: bkyamane@gmail.com and Twitter/Instagram @BYHilton13