WPIAL Top Prospects: Mathis, Smith Leading Penn Hills

FOX CHAPEL, Pa. —I don’t know if anyone in high school now knows about the Peanuts, but Penn Hills quarterback Hollis Mathis’ nickname should be Linus.
The 6-foot-1 senior is easily recognizable in warmups and during the game because of his signature towel hanging from the back of his pants.

And it’s not just any towel. The McKeesport radio team jokingly called it a hotel towel, and there’ not far off. The towel easily hangs down past his calves, and when he runs it clips the heels of his shoes.

The story goes; Mathis (Howard commit) forgot his towel on the first day of camp and used a trainer’s towel instead. And since then, if the refs allow him to use it, he does. It’s not a good luck charm, but it’s his thing, he said with a smile.