6 make all-state football team
Brett Brumbaugh was watching a junior varsity basketball game in Maryland Wednesday afternoon when he learned via Twitter that he made the Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State Football Team.
Given the year South Fayette’s sophomore quarterback had, with 2,823 yards and 37 touchdowns, it’s probably the only thing he didn’t see coming.
“There were a lot of good upperclassmen this year,” Brumbaugh said. “As a sophomore, this is really unexpected. It feels good to know that the hard work paid off.”
The hard work paid off for six area players who were selected to the Class A and Class AA teams yesterday.
Besides Brumbaugh, South Fayette wide receiver Zach Challingsworth became a two-time all-state selection after catching 58 passes for 1,190 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Pitt recruit also had four interceptions and returned two of them for touchdowns.
Challingsworth posted 106 receptions for 1,894 yards and 24 touchdowns the past two years.
Wash High was represented by two selections: running back Shai McKenzie and linebacker Jaylin Kelly.
McKenzie’s selection wasn’t much of a surprise after the 6-0, 215-pound junior ran for 2,689 yards and 41 touchdowns. He not only set the area and program rushing records, but he also came within 52 yards of the WPIAL mark while averaging 37.4 yards per touchdown run.
Those massive numbers were enough to help Wash High reach the WPIAL Class AA final at Heinz Field.
“Last year, I had 1,200 yards, but this year I worked a lot harder and more than doubled my yards from last year,” McKenzie said. “It was enough to take my team to the WPIAL championship, and that probably helped a lot.”
McKenzie also picked up a scholarship offer from Akron recently, giving him – so far – a choice between the Zips, Maryland, Pitt, Youngstown State, Toledo, Purdue, Duke, Rutgers and Connecticut.
Kelly was the leader of the Prexies’ defense with 114 tackles, eight sacks, an interception and five forced fumbles.
Monessen quarterback Chavas Rawlins (WVU recruit) made the team after totaling 1,995 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also had three interceptions and four returns for touchdowns.
Chartiers-Houston linebacker Garrett Vulcano also was selected. Vulcano finished his career with 444 tackles, including 130 this year to go along with two interceptions, seven pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
“It’s pretty good,” Vulcano said of the selection. “It’s a good accomplishment. It’s been one of my goals.”
Clairton’s Tyler Boyd was the Player of the Year in Class A. … Dunmore’s Jack Henzes was the Coach of the Year. … In Class AA, Wyomissing linebacker Alex Anzalone wsas the Player of the Year. … His coach, Bob Wolfrum, was the Coach of the Year. … The Class AAA and Class AAAA teams have not been released.