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Beth-Center’s Welsh named to Class A All-State team

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It took a year later than he hoped, but Beth-Center senior Tony Welsh finally received a long-awaited phone call Wednesday afternoon. On the other end was his head football coach, Ed Woods, who informed his workhorse running back that he was named to the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class A All-State team.

“I was just really excited to hear the news,” Welsh said. “It’s a perfect way to end my high school career. I wanted to make it last year, but when that didn’t happen it pushed me to work harder. Two of my goals were to make all-state and play in the Big 33 game. It’s great to get one of them and hopefully I get the chance to do the other.”

Welsh, who led the Bulldogs to the WPIAL playoffs for four consecutive seasons, finished his career with 5,062 rushing yards – the fifth local athlete to reach the mark – and 83 career touchdowns. The 6-0, 201-pound running back finished fourth in the WPIAL with 1,945 yards and 28 touchdowns, averaging 8.6 yards per carry. He finished second in school history in rushing yards and led the Bulldogs to an area-best 13th consecutive playoff appearance, where he ran for 205 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Avonworth.

“Looking back at my four years, there are some things I never thought I’d achieve, but the hard work paid off,” Welsh said. “It’s nice to be rewarded like this.”

Riverside senior quarterback Jason Dambach, Avonworth senior quarterback Zach Chandler, Clairton junior running back Lamont Wade and Clairton senior athlete Aaron Mathews were the other WPIAL Class A players selected.

Bishop Guilfoyle, which completed its second consecutive perfect season, was led by junior running back Evan Chadbourn, who was named Player of the Year while Justin Wheeler was tagged Coach of the Year. Chadbourn rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns in the Marauders’ 35-0 win over Farrell in the Class A finale at Hersheypark Stadium.

Bishop Guilfoyle (16-0) placed five players on the all-state team, including senior offensive lineman Dakota Leamer and senior linebacker Aaron Yasulitis. Junior defensive linemen Logan McGeary and Luke Frederick also steered a defense that pitched eight shutouts.

Farrell, the District 10 champion. was represented by senior lineman Jacob Jackson, senior linebacker Malachi Newell and senior athlete Alex Myers. Newell finished among the state’s leaders with more than 210 tackles.

Imhotep Charter completed its historic season, becoming the first Philadelphia city public school to win a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association football title. The honors continued with the release of the Class AAA all-state team.

Paced by senior running back Mike Waters, voted as the Class AAA Player of the Year, Imhotep Charter (15-0) defeated Erie Cathedral Prep 40-3 on Dec. 18 at Hershey.

Waters is one of six players selected from the District 12 champions, joining senior tight end Naseir Upshur and senior linemen Johncarlo Valentin, Yasir Durant, Andre Mintze and Shaka Toney. Mintze and Toney were among five players named as defensive linemen.

Imhotep Charter’s Albie Crosby was selected as Coach of the Year. Sophomore linebacker Matthew Bauer and athlete Ta’Nauz Gregory were among four all-state picks from runner-up Cathedral Prep.

The only two WPIAL players selected were Armstrong junior running back Zane Dudek and West Allegheny senior running back Terence Stephens.

For the sixth year, the all-state process has been overseen by the sports writers who cover high school football around the Commonwealth. Players are nominated in all four classifications, then a statewide ballot is issued to afford all writers the opportunity to cast their votes.

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