Loughery, the son of a former Boston College quarterback and a first cousin of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, caught the eye of several Division I programs, including Virginia and Boston College, after throwing for more than 2,000 passing yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior.
The interest from those schools continued after he put together another solid season as a senior, accounting for more than 1,700 passing yards and 15 touchdowns despite a 4-6 record for the Quakers.
"We had high hopes for this season, and it didn't really turn out the way we would have hoped," Loughery said. "As a whole, I couldn't have asked for a better career at Penn Charter. I improved each year as a quarterback, and I was able to throw the ball around a lot. I give credit to my coach and also to my receivers and offensive line."
Despite building an impressive resumé at Penn Charter, the 6-5, 225-pound quarterback did not receive the sort of college offers that he was looking for and believes that postgraduate school will open up more opportunities.
"After doing visits and whatnot, I thought that it would be the best thing for me," Loughery said. "I'm only 17 years old, and there's no reason to rush. I know that another year to kind of fix the things that I need to fix and develop more as a quarterback will hopefully put me in a position where I'll have a lot of choices."
By attending Valley Forge, Loughery will have the opportunity to learn under head coach Glenn Foley, a former New York Jets and Boston College quarterback. Foley directed Valley Forge to an 8-0 season, the sixth undefeated season in school history.
Several Division I coaches suggested Valley Forge to Loughery, but he ultimately looked to his family for guidance.
"I've gotten a lot of advice from my cousin [Matt Ryan], and truthfully, a lot of advice from my dad, who was a quarterback at Boston College," Loughery said. "Both of them have huge support for me as well as my other cousin, John Ryan, who is playing at Brown. They have all been there for me, supporting me."
Loughery thinks there is always room for improvement for a quarterback at any level, but is confident his support system has bestowed him with great knowledge of the game.
"His understanding of the defensive secondary is his greatest attribute," Penn Charter coach Jeff Humble said. "I think he's going to get a little more maturity, and, with a great year at Valley Forge, I think he could go to a very good college program."
With his father, cousin and future Valley Forge coach all having played quarterback for Boston College, one would have to assume that the school must be Loughery's favorite heading into 2012.
"It would be a pretty cool thing to be able to go play there after my dad was there and after Matt was there," Loughery said. "If Boston College were to present itself, that would be a great place to go with the great football tradition they have up there."
Loughery does not look at his football bloodlines as added pressure to succeed, but rather something that is purely positive.
"I just look at it as motivation that if I do the things that I need to do and work hard, things will ultimately pay off," he said. *
