The legend of Aaron Donald began to take root on a blustery November night in Pittsburgh just over 12 years ago.
The baby-faced Penn Hills High School defensive tackle offered a glimpse of the monster he'd one day become, singlehandedly dismantling first-round playoff opponent Upper St. Clair like a 6-foot, 270-pound wrecking ball.
“What are you guys doing? Can you block him?” Upper St. Clair offensive lineman Gordon Mathews recalls his quarterback barking during a second-half huddle. Mathews sheepishly glanced at Donald and thought, “No, we can’t.”
Upper St. Clair tried helping Mathews by sending double teams.