Dec 23, 2023 6 min read

Jase Banco

Trinity

Banco was one of the reasons Trinity developed a physical running attack that averaged 187 yards per game. Key lineman on defense and helped the Hillers post two shutouts, including one of North Catholic in the playoffs. First team all-conference on both offense and defense.

Geno Calgaro

Canon-McMillan

St. Francis (Pa.) recruit. Hard-hitting linebacker was the key to the Big Macs’ defense that allowed an average of only 13 points per game against teams not named North Allegheny or Central Catholic. Called “one of the best linebackers in the state” by C-M head coach Mike Evans. Had only 11 carries as a running back but scored four touchdowns.

Connor Crowe

McGuffey

Flexbone quarterbacks have to make more reads and split-second decisions than signal callers in other offenses, and Crowe made enough of the right calls to direct McGuffey to eight wins, a berth in the WPIAL quarterfinals and an average of 24 points per game. As an option QB, Crowe passed for more than 701 yards and six TDs and topped 600 rushing yards with eight scores.

Nolan DiLucia

Peters Township

Sophomore quarterback led the WPIAL in passing with 3,118 yards. In his first season as a starter, DiLucia completed 227 of 376 passes (60.4 percent) and threw for 31 touchdowns. Proved to be a capable runner with 390 yards. Scored eight touchdowns.

Michael Gimigliano

South Fayette

Gimigliano continued South Fayette’s long run of productive wide receivers. He led the WPIAL in pass receptions during the regular season with 59 for 865 yards and eight touchdowns. Had a breakout season after catching only 14 passes last year.

Ruben Gordon

Washington

Dynamic playmaker led the Prexies to the Class 2A Century Conference championship and the WPIAL semifinals. Was Wash High’s leading receiver with more than 30 pass receptions, averaging 18.6 yards per catch. Averaged 10.1 yards on 27 rushing attempts. Scored three touchdowns in a playoff win over Ellwood City. Also a shutdown defender who was the Defensive Player of the Year in the Century Conference.

Braeden Helmkamp

Trinity

Army commit. Two-way lineman is a special blend of size (6-5, 268) and athleticism. Battled back from a season-ending injury in 2022 to be All-Big Seven Conference this year on both offense (first team) and defense (second team). His blocking helped Trinity set the school record for most yards of total offense in a single season.

Brodie Kuzior

Burgettstown

Seton Hill baseball recruit. Two-way standout led the Blue Devils to the Class A playoffs as the rare combination of quarterback and inside linebacker. Was Burgettstown’s leading rusher with 785 yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 games and passed for 739 yards and six scores. Physical linebacker on a defense that had two shutouts.

Adam LaCarte

Belle Vernon

Two-time member of the Terrific 22. Aggressive defensive back was always around the ball for the WPIAL and PIAA Class 3A champions. He had three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Was voted Defensive Player of the Year in the Interstate Conference.

Braden Laux

Belle Vernon

Eastern Michigan recruit. Quarterbacked Belle Vernon to its second consecutive WPIAL and PIAA Class 3A championships, but might have had a bigger impact on defense, where he was a disruptive end. Helped the Leopards post three shutouts and allow only 9.2 points per game. Passed for 1,766 yards and 13 touchdowns. Ran for more than 300 yards and nine scores. Recruited to play tight end in college.

Jake Layhue

California

Cal U recruit. Was a force on both offense and defense, leading the Trojans to the Class A Tri-County South Conference title and WPIAL quarterfinals. As a quarterback, Layhue rushed for 913 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. On defense, he had 101 tackles, intercepted eight passes and recovered two fumbles, returning four of the takeaways for scores.

Quinton Martin

Belle Vernon

Penn State recruit. Rated the No. 1 high school prospect in Pennsylvania by Rivals.com and 24/7 Sports. Led the Leopards to their second consecutive WPIAL and PIAA Class 3A titles. Rushed for 1,202 yards and showed impressive pass-catching skills, leading the Leopards with 54 receptions. Scored 28 touchdowns. Was the Offensive Player of the Year in the Interstate Conference.

Franco Muscatello

Peters Township

Talented two-way lineman who was a first team pick in the rugged Class 5A All-Allegheny Six Conference on both offense and defense. As a guard, he helped the Indians roll up an average of 350.8 yards and 36.5 points per game. Key player on the defense that allowed only 10 points per contest.

Lou Ryan

Fort Cherry

Anchored the Rangers’ offensive line that paved the way for a 2,000-yard quarterback and a 1,000-yard running back. Helped the Rangers average 290.8 rushing yards per game. Was called the “heart and soul of our team” by Fort Cherry head coach Tanner Garry. As a linebacker, was second on the team in tackles and helped the unit produce four shutouts, including one against Rochester in the WPIAL quarterfinals.

Carter Shanafelt

Peters Township

A jack-of-all-trades player for the WPIAL champion Indians. He was the team’s leading receiver with 44 receptions and 12 touchdowns. Made eight field goals, including four in PT’s 33-14 win over Cathedral Prep in the state playoffs. Averaged 34 yards per punt.

Matt Sieg

Fort Cherry

The Observer-Reporter’s Player of the Year after leading the WPIAL in both rushing and scoring. Led Fort Cherry to its first WPIAL Class A championship and the PIAA title game. Ran for 2,387 yards and passed for 1,671 and 20 scores. Had a hand in 63 touchdowns. Returned two punts and an interception for touchdowns.

Kaeden Singleton

Canon-McMillan

Delaware recruit. Played tight end on offense and had 11 receptions, but stood out as a pass-rushing defensive end. Had 10½ sacks. Had a play for the highlight film in a win over Seneca Valley. One play after sacking the Raiders’ quarterback, Singleton, while rushing the passer, jumped and intercepted a pass behind the line of scrimmage and rambled 23 yards for a touchdown. Had 20½ career sacks and eight blocked kicks.

Mickey Vaccarello

Peters Township

Junior has developed one of the best linebackers in the WPIAL, attracting Power 5 recruiting interest. Played tight end on offense. Key player in the Indians’ defense that had four shutouts. Had 111 tackles, including 13 sacks and 29 tackles for loss.

Zach Welsh

Canon-McMillan

Not the biggest running back in Class 6A but his numbers were huge. Welsh rushed for 1,334 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry, helping the Big Macs to the WPIAL semifinals. Had a pair of 200-yard rushing games, against Bethel Park and Baldwin. Scored 10 touchdowns.

Jonah Williamson

Trinity

Dual-threat quarterback blossomed this season as a sophomore and was the Big Seven Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year. Was a 1,000-1,000 player, leading the Hillers in rushing with 1,012 yards and completing 127 of 212 passes for 1,860 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Joe Wilson

Washington

Washington has a long history of big, physical offensive linemen and Wilson has continued that tradition. A powerful run blocker who is only a sophomore, Wilson helped the Prexies average almost 200 rushing yards per game. All-Century Conference on both offense and defense. Emerging as a solid college prospect.

Breydon Woods

Waynesburg

Running back led the Raiders to their first playoff berth since 2014. Rushed for 1,316 yards, caught 15 passes and scored 14 touchdowns. Had a pair of 200-yard rushing games, including 271 against Charleroi. Was the Offensive Player of the Year in the Class 2A Century Conference.