DAVE DEVEREUX Cape High seniors Nate Sprosty (left) and Brian Justice signed football scholarships with the University of California (Pa.) Thursday. Nate’s mother, Beth (left), and Brian’s mother, Nancy (right), were on hand for the ceremony.

Both were cornerstone players on the Cape High football team – Nate Sprosty, a powerful offensive guard, and Brian Justice, a tackling machine at middle linebacker. Both positions are vital to a team’s success, and there was no exception for the Seahawks.

What impresses Seahawks coach Mike Goebbel is the way each player overcame adversity in high school.

“They both had a few bumps in the road and had to get over them and they’ve done that,” Goebbel said. “That probably makes it even more special for these guys.”

Sprosty (6-foot-5, 295 pounds) and Justice (6-2, 210) decided to travel the same road to the University of California (Pa.), located in Western Pennsylvania approximately 30 miles south of Pittsburgh. They signed scholarship papers Thursday.

The decision became easy as Sprosty and Justice both visited the campus, which has upgraded facilities and is located in an area rich in football tradition. The Vulcans also posted a 12-2 record last season, reaching the Division II national semifinals.

“Me and Brian kind of knew right away when we got there,” said Sprosty. “We had a good feel about it.”

They were among many key players helping the Seahawks reach the Class 5A playoffs the past two seasons. Sprosty was a three-year starter on the offensive line. Justice played defensive end his junior season before moving to linebacker as a senior.

With his size, Sprosty was unable to play Pop Warner football since he was over the limit. That problem was more of a strength in high school, as he helped pave the way for the Seahawks’ offensive skill players. He improved academically after some early trouble.

Justice got into off-the-field trouble at the start of his junior season, for which he was suspended for nine games.

“Knowing Brian, it was just a mistake and he had to pay the consequences,” Goebbel said.

Fortunately for him, the Seahawks played three extra games in the playoffs, which helped him get some exposure during the important junior year. Not only did Justice return for that playoff run, his presence helped solidify the entire defense.

Justice showed good leadership throughout his senior year and became a force at middle linebacker, registering 159 tackles and three sacks.

Sprosty is undecided about a college major, but Justice plans to pursue a career in sports management.