On ESPN at 7 between North Dakota State (13-2) and Montana State (15-0). Good football!

Player of the Year: Charlie Foulke, SJP
Coach of the Year: Calvin Everett, Harrisburg

Weird choices, right? Foulke is probably going to be great, but was he the best player in the state, or just the quarterback for the best team? Sacca (my vote) or Smith feels like the better choice, but I guess we don’t consider non-QBs?

And I will die on the hill that Matt Senneca needed to be coach of the year. From 3-8 (6-16 the last two years) to 11-2 is an incredible coaching job. I’m sure Calvin Everett did great things, but this one feels like a no brainer.

Onto the team.

Quarterbacks
Gavin Sidwar, LaSalle
Charlie Foulke, SJP
Peyton Falzone, Nazareth
Eddie Corkery, State College
Jy’Aire Walls, Pittsburgh CC

Seems like the right group? Three underclassmen in Sidwar, Foulke, and Falzone so lots of firepower comes back.

Running Backs
Khyann Billups, SJP
Aaron Beete, Freedom
TJ Lawrence, Parkland
Declan Clancy, Manheim Township

Solid, if not star studded group. Beete and Clancy both went over 1,700 yards on the year, Lawrence was far and away the best player on the D11 champs (though I think he’s a better linebacker) and Billups was impressively dominant with an increased role after the Isaiah West injury.

Wide Receivers
Ty Salazer, State College
Elias Coke, Harrisburg
Joey O’Brien, LaSalle
Santana Young, CD East

Salazar had a 1,000 yard season and has already broken the Centre County career receiving record. Young also broke the 1,000 yard barrier on the season. Coke is a big time recruit who had 980 yards and ten touchdowns. O’Brien is the best receiver in the state. My only surprise here was neither of the SJP receivers (Hardy or Harrison) who feel like they were the offensive separator against other playoff teams.

Tight End
Michael Glover, Wilson West Lawn

Big sophomore is a looming huge recruit, made 50 catches as a 10th grader.

Offensive Line
Jack Yatchenko, North Allegheny
Khalil Stewart, SJP
Luke Milito, State College
Spencer McClintock, Manheim Township
Owen Marks, Manheim Township
Matt Gaul, State College

Kind of a weird group here? Manheim Township landing 1/3 of the all state offensive line feels like an overshot, though I’m sure both kids are good. From up here, surprised at no Tanner Wheeler from Freedom, Richmond bound offensive/defensive tackle who was the best offensive lineman in D11.

Offensive Athletes
Tyson Scott, George Washington
Madyx Gruber, Wilson West Lawn

Went with two dual-threat quarterbacks, and Gruber is also an excellent safety.

Defensive Line
Messiah Mickens, Harrisburg
Robert Edwards, Emmaus
Joseph Sondah, Imhotep Charter
Lincoln Hoke, North Allegheny

Mickens as a defensive end, rather than running back, is a fun choice. Edwards was a shoe-in, he dominated. Sondah another huge defensive tackle. Hoke also a shoe-in. Statewide, telling that Zahir Mathis from Imhotep didn’t make it. As an Easton guy, slightly disappointed for Kurtis Crossman and Algee Macon that neither got a sniff at defensive end. Both will be back next year.

Linebackers
Anthony Sacca, SJP
Cameron Smith, SJP
Bradley Gompers, PCC
Michael Gaul, State College
Jayden Ransom, Williamsport
Nate Szydlik, Council Rock South

The top here is the most star studded group, from Sacca down to Gaul. A kid from CRS over Ryan Clemens feels like a war crime. Jayden Ransom’s 20 sacks are quite impressive. From D11, Justin Peluso (Freedom) felt like a shoe-in before he tore his ACL in week 5. Reilly Bechtel (Emmaus) and Mehki Grant (Easton) also would have been viable candidates from up here.

Defensive Backs
Xxavier Thomas, PCC
Quincy Brannon, Harrisburg
Donovan Rodriguez, Manheim Township
Tommy Miller, Downingtown West

I don’t feel like I have a handle on DBs to form a solid opinion.

Defensive Athletes
Will Day, Easton
Michael Scott, Dallastown
Hakeem Cooper, Abraham Lincoln

So thrilled for Will Day. He was the engine of the Easton turnaround, and putting a kid with 1,100 yards rushing, 20 touchdowns, plus 80 tackles and a handful of interceptions for an 11-2 team feels like a no brainer, but I was worried he’d get overlooked because he didn’t have just one thing he excelled at. Particularly after losing his whole junior season to a broken foot, very happy for the kid.

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How did/is everything going football wise as of late?
“Everything is going well, just making sure I’m doing my job, my part on the team being in the weight room and staying healthy.”

What do you feel your team can continue to improve on going forward?
“As a team we definitely can improve on more communication. Without communication there isn’t a football game to win.”

Have you been pleased with your performances?
“I’m never pleased or settled with my performance. I push myself to strive for victory and to be the best.”

How do you feel about the play of your team?
“For this upcoming season I have a great feeling about this one.”

What are your sporting goals going forward as of now?
“My goal going forward is to be the leader for my team. I need my team to trust me on that field. I need to lead by example, take accountability, help players, and to support them when they need me.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I strongly believe I will be playing football in college.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“No colleges are looking at me right now. Everything's meant to be. You can’t rush the future or there will never be a present.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“N/A.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“N/A.”

Do you have plans for game day trips?
“N/A.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My dream college was always Penn State University.”

How did the high school football season go overall?

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How did the high school football season go overall?

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How did the high school football season go overall?

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How did the high school football season go overall?

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I know I haven't posted much this year and last. All is fine just heading into the next stage of life.

Everyone be safe and enjoy life, I am.

How did/is everything going football wise as of late?
“Everything went well this season, my team finished 8-4 on the season. There were some hiccups at the beginning, but we managed to gather ourselves and finally be a team towards the end, which was great.”

What do you feel your team can continue to improve on going forward?
“I think my team can really improve on actually being a team, being brothers out on the field and having that connection knowing that I got the back of every guy surrounding me and they have mine.”

Have you been pleased with your performances?
“I’ve been pleased with my performances from these past two years, I could never settle for what I did in any of those years. I need to do more each year and continue to improve each and every day.”

How do you feel about the play of your team?
“I think we play hard-nosed football. Our defense has been consistently good every year and I intend to keep it that way. Our offense puts up good points every year and I hope to help out by being more of a contributor on that side of the ball as well.”

What are your sporting goals going forward as of now?
“I’m just trying to get an offer. I’ve been doing everything in my power to set myself apart from your average high school football player. I have great determination and I’ll never give up just like I’ll never give up on my dream of playing in college football.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes I’d absolutely love to play in college, especially football. It’s always been my dream.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“None, sadly.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“I don’t have any offers, looking to get one though.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I haven’t made any college trips yet either.”

Do you have plans for game day trips?
“Don’t have any plans to make visits, haven’t got any [invitations] yet.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“My favorite college has always been Penn State.”

How did/is everything going football wise as of late? It’s going quite well.
“Although we didn’t get the outcome we were hoping for, it makes us that much hungrier. Just have to get back to the drawing board.”

What do you feel your team can continue to improve on going forward?
“I believe if we continue to have the desire and mindset to succeed, in addition to proper preparation the sky's the limit.”

Have you been pleased with your performances?
“I feel as though there’s always room for improvements, no matter how small it may be, that can take my game to the next level. From the classroom to the field. Have to make everything count.”

How do you feel about the play of your team?
“I’m surrounded by very talented and hungry players. Each aspect of this team from players to coaches, I love how we give it our all every game.”

What are your sporting goals going forward as of now?
“My goal has always been the same, so I do my part each and every day to put my team in my best position to go 1-0 each week.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“That’s definitely a goal of mine to continue to play football at the next level.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“As of right now, Delaware, Toledo, Buffalo, and Kent State (offered).”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“They all are.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Not yet, currently working on scheduling a few.”

Do you have plans for game day trips?
“That I am also working on with my coaches.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“LSU.”

How did/is everything going football wise as of late?
“Everything has been good, I’ve just been back at the offseason work and playing basketball.”

What do you feel your team can continue to improve on going forward?
“We got most of our team coming back next year so we are just looking to improve on everything. We are not satisfied with where we were at this season so we are just looking to get better in all phases.”

Have you been pleased with your performances?
“I am happy with my performances but not satisfied. Like I said, I'm also looking to improve in all aspects of my game.”

How do you feel about the play of your team?
“I feel good about our team’s play. Our record may not have been the best but we were in every single game we played. And I know we got a team full of guys who are willing to put the work in and improve this offseason.”

What are your sporting goals going forward as of now?
“Just to keep working on being the best QB I can be and having a good basketball season, helping my team win.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I do, I want to play football in college.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“None so far.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“N/A.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I attended a couple camps over the some and plan on doing so again this year.”

Do you have plans for game day trips?
“See above.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Pitt has always been my favorite college.”

How did/is everything going football wise as of late?
“Everything seems to be going right. Our team is winning and we are having fun doing so.”

What do you feel your team can continue to improve on going forward?
“We can continue to improve on playing our best game for a full four quarters. We have streaks where we start hot and then slow down as the game goes on.”

Have you been pleased with your performances?
“I have been pleased with my performances. I feel as though I’ve stepped my game up to the next level this year compared to last season.”

How do you feel about the play of your team?
“I think our team is playing good, not great. We haven’t lost, but I still don’t believe we’ve showcased our full potential.”

What are your sporting goals going forward as of now?
“My main goal is to earn scholarships to play football in college. Another goal I have for this year is to be named an all-state player.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“Yes, I want to play football in college.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“Columbia, Temple, Virginia, Dartmouth.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“Temple offered me a scholarship, so they have probably recruited me the hardest.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“Yes, I went to Temple and Virginia.”

Do you have plans for game day trips?
“I have no more game day visits lined up, but I went on a couple earlier this year.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“Notre Dame has been my favorite.”

How did/is everything going football wise as of late?
“The football season just ended and we made it to the 3rd round which isn’t good enough. I took a week off to rest my body but now I’m starting to get back into things like lifting and working on my craft daily.”

What do you feel your team can continue to improve on going forward?
“I feel that as a team we need to get better at communicating and lifting. We got out worked on and off the field last year so it’s a top priority to be in top condition coming into the season.”

Have you been pleased with your performances?
“I think I’m doing pretty well. I got 1st team league this year but there is always room to improve. I have D1 goals so I’m going to try everything in my power to reach them.”

How do you feel about the play of your team?
“I think as a team we are pretty well organized and play together as a unit. We play as if we are one not eleven. When everyone does their job, we always succeed.”

What are your sporting goals going forward as of now?
“My upcoming season I hope to become league champions, district champions and then state champions. My ultimate goal when I come out of high school is to get a division 1 offer to play football at the next level. Anything else is just extra.”

Do you want to play sports in college? If so, which one?
“I would like to play football at the next level. I like dreaming that one day I could play in front of thousands of fans cheering me and my team on.”

What colleges have been recruiting you?
“As of so far none but I always keep my head up and take any opportunities given to me.”

What school is recruiting you the hardest?
“None.”

Have you made any college trips yet?
“I haven’t made any trips yet but I want to stay close to home so anywhere in the northeast or east coast. This way I could always visit my family for any emergencies or just say hi without taking much time at all.”

Do you have plans for game day trips?
“I don’t have any plans as of yet. I hope to maybe try and get to a Delaware game. I like their stadium and have been looking at them as a school choice. I think it would just be a very nice experience.”

Did you have a favorite college growing up?
“I did not have a favorite college growing up. I never really followed college, not up until my sophomore year of high school.”

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Wow. For many years, I've thought- everyone needs to stop complaining- if public schools cannot beat private- get better! But maybe- now- all 3 bigger levels- 4A, 5A, and 6A DOMINATED by non-boundary schools following DIFFERENT RULES than 90% of the other public schools in PA? Things gotta change. 5 of the finalists are/were non-boundary.

4A- Thomas Jefferson a "typical, but very good public school" from D7, has been a Western PA powerhouse- got beat in semi- then that team got dominated by the Bonner school? Thats crazy
5A- both non-boundary?? Pine-Richland kinda got dominated by McDevitt- and some say Roman might dominate McD? Thats friggin crazy. I just did a quick search- 5A has never seen both finalists being private
6A- both non-boundary!! And Central might get dominated by a SJP that is "not as good as other recent teams?" That's crazy.

I don't see this trend changing, esp among the "bigger schools."

If the PIAA is not "allowed" to have separate playoffs, then they need to do something, to "even up the rules." Maybe stop suspending coaches for recruiting, or stop ruling players ineligible for transferring.

Here's his Won-Loss in key areas since arrival 2014.

* W/L vs teams finishing above .500 (6-5 teams and up). This includes the Ball States, Akrons and Kent States
38-36

* W/L vs +.500 teams away.
16-24....40%

*W/L vs teams with double digit winning season. 10 wins and up
12-28....30%

* W/L vs teams with double digit winning season, AWAY only
5-21....19.2%

And for a cherry on the cake, here's his W/L vs Michigan and Ohio State
Michigan 3-7 (DNP 2024)
Ohio St 1-10
Total 4-17
Bowls 4-6

He is probably the most overrated head coach of a major program in the country. But, what did us die hard Penn State fans expect taking a coach from Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt!

Now that the season has concluded, could y’all provide an updates on any potential coaching changes? Specifically, who might be stepping down, who is being considered as the next in line, and what coaching shifts could potentially impact the balance of power?

It's not just PA.

Out here it's Bosco and Mater Dei tonight for the SoCal marbles in the CIF Southern Section Championship. Both are 11-1 with Mater Dei losing to Bosco 28-0 in the regular season and Bosco dropping a contest against one of the Hawaii studs (Kahuku - which hardly ripped it up this year at 11-2 including a 50-8 smackdown by Mater Dei and a number 50 national ranking in MaxPrep -- the Red Raiders got by Bosco 30-23 the week after the beatdown by the Monarchs).

Anyway, Bosco is number 3 nationally and Mater Dei is 5. There's a rumor the winner could jump Las Vegas' Bishop Gorman for the top slot.

Hmmm.

The final score came in at 35-7 Mater Dei (and by the way - the game was played at The Coliseum).

Summer camp season is starting to really put Peyton Falzone on FBS radars. The 6'5 200 pound rising junior led Nazareth to a D11 title last year after throwing for 2,582 yards and 19 touchdowns to 4 interceptions, while completing 61% of his passes, all as a sophomore. He also ran for 440 yards and 11 touchdowns and was the D11 runner-up in the 100. He was also a state qualifier in the 300 hurdles and took 4th in D11 in the 100 meter dash.

I said coming into the season that Falzone could end up the biggest recruit from the Lehigh Valley since Jahan Dotson and maybe the best QB recruit since...Dan Kendra? He's so much taller than Brendan Nosovitch that I think he'll end up higher than a three star. Well, in the last two weekends he's camped at Virginia Tech and Penn State, and landed offers from both. It wouldn't shock me to see the Nittany Lions take an early lead in his recruitment - they have a working relationship with Falzone's dad, Nazareth head coach Tom Falzone, through the Dotson recruitment and I think there's a level of comfort there. But he's a big-time athlete who I think is going to be a big deal over the next two and a half years.

Tigers have been awesome for the last two years, get it done in a great state final, 36-33 in overtime.

First D11 state champ since 2010 Allentown Central Catholic. Joins Wilson as the only Colonial League state champs - Northern Lehigh and Pen Argyl both had previously lost in finals.

A massive day for Josh Snyder, a NWL alum who took over the program and has been wildly successful. And his brother Brett (a former NWL star who tragically died of ALS a couple years back) would be really proud of all they’ve accomplished. A good day for some good people.

A: Bishop Guilfoyle (14-1) at Port Allegany (14-0)

Bishop Guilfoyle's only loss was to Penn Cambria (only loss to AAA finalist, Avonworth).
Port Allegany ran over everyone, but Wilmington (9-3) and Ridgway/Johnsonburg (4-7).

BG by 21 over PA

Final
BG 41
PA 22

Tied at 14 in Q3 is all PA could have asked for. PA might have benefitted by developing a 2nd and 3rd option during some of their lopsided victories.

AA: Troy (15-0) at Central Clarion (14-0)

Troy ran over everyone, but Dover (3-6, large school).
Central Clarion destroyed everyone including Farrell (7-6, with some solid wins).

CC by 7 over Troy

Final
Troy 25
CC 24

CC battled back early in the 2nd half to seemingly take control, but Troy then countered late to take a 1 pt lead with 1:12 to go. I'm sure the CC HC is rethinking not taking a timeout after a big sack on 1st down with about 46 secs to go.

AAA: Northwestern Lehigh (15-0) at Avonworth (12-3)

Northwestern Lehigh rolled over all comers, but Southern Lehigh (12-3, state semis in AAAA)
Avonworth has won all but 3 games (Aliquippa - AAAA state quarters, TJ - AAAA state semis, Beaver - avenged in playoffs)

NL by 21 over Avonworth

Final
NL 36
Avonworth 33

Didn't see the game, but box score shows it as a back and forth slugfest. NL held Avonworth to a FG in OT which allowed them to walkoff with a TD. Avonworth held Zimmerman to 4 ypc, but he finished it off with a 10 y TD. Sounds like a game that needs to be watched.

AAAA: Bonner (11-2) at Lampeter Strasburg (14-0)

Bonner's only losses were to other top SE PA non-boundary schools. Beat Roman (AAAAA finalist), another SE PA non-boundary school.
Lampeter Strasburg is undefeated, but just snuck by in their previous two playoff games.

Bonner by 28 over LS

Final
Bonner 40
LA 14

Teams can't win as an underdog when turning the ball over constantly. I'm sure LS HC would love to have the last few minutes of Q2 back after breaking even at 14-14 and forcing a punt. Ouch!

AAAAA: Roman (11-4) at Bishop McDevitt (13-2)

Roman's only losses are to top non-boundary schools (3 SE PA, 1 MD) with solid wins over MP and Rustin.
Bishop McDevitt only two losses to solid teams (Harrisburg in OT, State College in a close one). Only one great win (Pine Richland)

Roman by 14 over BM

Final
BM 34
Roman 31

Back and forth game that saw Roman claw their way back to take the lead late, but BM able to force OT and get a stop. Fun game!

AAAAAA: SJP (10-2) at PCC (12-2)

SJP two losses were to really solid teams (St Edward - week 1, St E struggled later in the season, LaSalle - top 3-5 team in PA). Rolled everyone else besides Good Counsel.
PCC hasn't lost since starting 0-2. Good wins over NA, SC, and Harrisburg.

SJP by 17 over PCC

Final
SJP 35
PCC 6

Didn't see the game, but it took SJP a whole 14 seconds to go up 7-0 and were leading 21-0 after Q1. Probably not worth a watch.

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