Says he'll hold spring practice at IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL. Wow!....this is SEC turf so look for sparks to fly and maybe some fur. What a coup if he pulls this off. Some kind of marketing machine up in Ann Arbor.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-foo...-practice-img-academy-florida-satellite-camps

First Russo and now Raynor , people are starting to notice these aren't the same old Owlz!!!

I think we all knew it was coming, with his son going to play in college.

http://www.trentonian.com/sports/20...wn-as-pennsbury-football-coach-after-14-years

Does anyone who was hired at Wissahickon?

Whoever Kmac is, he does a great job. Like the National, realignment only leaves the Continental with 7 teams: CBE, CBS, CBW, NP, Pennridge, Souderton and Tennent.

http://www.easternpafootball.com/news/further-analysis-of-the-suburban-one-continental-division/

Very interesting. District 1 will get 16 playoff births in both 6A and 5A. With only 26 schools in 5A, there will be some weaker teams who qualify. This seems to be the trend state wide.

http://www.piaa.org/assets/web/documents/Classification_16-18_Football.pdf

With the PAC-10 going to 6 team divisions, all the schools will now need 4 non-league games, unlike just needing 1 in the past. In week 10, the 2 division winners will play a league championship game, the 2 second place teams will play and so forth.

The regular season will start the week before Labor Day. Good to see Spring-Ford putting Wilson West Lawn on their schedule.

http://www.spring-fordfootball.mobi/schedule

Good seeing my favorite savant back on the board. All's well back in the south central hills of PA so what's the deal in the Fairless Hills Brother Blitz? Any views on who's next in line as the Head Falconer? Sure is quiet out there.

Surprised there has been little to no chatter on this job? Is it going to someone on staff or are there outside applicants involved? I would think a job like Pennsbury would attract some big names across the state HS and college.

Denver kicker Brandon McManus and Carolina receiver Ted Ginn Jr. keep the streak going at 50. Every year Big 33 alumni have participated in the Super Bowl.

and about 50 with D-1AA offers. Looks like a good talent year for PA

It's been reported that Wyoming Valley West (PA District 2) OL Chris Bleich (Class of 2018) will attend IMG Academy next season. That's probably good for him but its gotta hurt WVW big time to lose a horse like that.

W-B Citizens Voice Article

Via Matt Smith at the Delco Times

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Obviously LSU is very interested in Russo. I'm sure Anthony wasn't the only player Les talked to.

has asked for and been granted his release from Temple and will be transferring this summer after he completes spring semester at Temple

First- Happy New Years to everybody on the board. I love the regular season.....but I tend to love the off-season even more at times. I'll be going to the "Beast of the East" event being held in Pittman , NJ this Friday night. There are some PA players headed there. I'll post a few articles.

Anyway, for those that go to read the articles, you'll notice they changed up the look of the front page. I like it better because it'll make it easier for me to post. At any rate, Have a great weekend!

I did a roster check finding Clemson has 57 players from South Carolina....with 107 of 112 coming from the deep south excepting the 2 from Va.

Bama has 35 of 110 from in-state, with 87 of 110 coming from the South. Counted Texas as "the south" per affiliating with Confederacy in Civil War. Actually because of Tex AM affiliation 'tho it is as much southern as western in many respects.

Nothing like home cooking with GA, FL, LA, AR, added to the mix!

Interestingly, many players are from no name schools meaning the roster is NOT stocked with players from Hoover, Prattville, etc....or when from FL, CA, TX from their name schools.

Both do a heck of a job finding players from throughout their respective states and others.

Couple days late on this, but Emmaus announced they've hired Harold Fairclough to be their next head coach.

Fairclough was most recently on staff at Moravian after two years as an assistant at Whitehall, but the brightest line on his resume is his six years as the head coach at Allentown Central Catholic, where he coached the 2010 3A State Champs. He's an alum of ACC where he played linebacker for the 1993 3A State Champs and was a DII All American at Susquehanna.

He's announced that Matt Senneca, former Penn State quarterback and ACC's QB for their 1998 state title, will join him on staff. He was most recently the head coach at Wilson and was the OC and quarterbacks coach at Liberty when they won the 2008 state title. Matt's father Sam, the DC on the ACC teams of the 1990s, recent DC at Parkland, and kind of an institution in local athletics, will also be on staff.

Emmaus has a very strong athletics program, but had largely been a no factor in football forever (though weirdly, has a disproportionate amount of alums who played in the NFL, including recent 1st Round pick Kevin White and former Pro Bowlers Keith Dorney and John Spagnola). The school is the 13th biggest in the state (between Easton and Cumberland Valley) and has a significant amount of tax base and local wealth. There at certainly athletes walking around the school, and the thought here is with a culture change, they could be a very good program.

In his Morning Call column, Keith Groller noted that Parkland was a non-factor in football from the formation of the East Penn Conference until they brought in Rich Snisack in 1995, who for all intent and purposes created Parkland football. Like Snisack, Fairclough is a tough, Allentown kid who already has a great coaching resume. If he can't do it at Emmaus, it may not be able to be done.

Best of luck to both of them going forward. Worley is projected to go by round 2 and Fuller somewhere on the second day (due to his size) of the draft.

I think that if Fuller doesn't go till later, some program may be getting themselves a gem. At Roman, he was able to make high point receptions better than almost anyone and he runs terrific routes.

Is Worley actually from Philly and is there any relation to Daquan (Penn State/Coatesville)?

Fun offseason post for me for you to enjoy. With the end of the four class system, here are my picks for the best in 4A from District 11 during the era. Tried to make it as much about high school accomplishments as I could, but what they did at the next level is listed and is often fascinating. Number of selections at each position is based on the way the AP All State team is picked.

Note, ACC is a 3A school, so players like Brendan Nosovitch, Kevin Gulyas, Rashonn Drayton, Mike Cerimele, Victor Montas, Tony Stewart, etc. weren't eligible, otherwise would be shoe ins. Same goes for Dan Kendra and Erik Marsh at Becahi, who played 3A and 2A, Beca only played up from 1998-2003.

Quarterbacks (4)

Dan Persa, Liberty (2003-2006): 5,779 passing yards, 59 TDs; 2,526 rushing yards, 32 TDs
College: Northwestern
First player in Pennsylvania history to threw for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a season when he threw for 2,104 and ran for 1,101 in 2006. Threw 20 touchdowns and ran for 17 as a senior. Threw 44 touchdowns against 7 interceptions in final two seasons. Went 42-9 as a starter, and led Liberty to back-to-back state finals appearances. Three time District 11 finalists in his four years as a starter. Pennsylvania AP Player of the Year and First Team All State quarterback in 2006. Big 33 selection. Four year starting quarterback who keyed Liberty’s resurgence in the mid 2000s. Chose Northwestern over Michigan State, Temple, and West Virginia, famously not receiving an offer from Penn State despite family ties and his stated desire to play there. In college, First Team All Big Ten quarterback in 2010 (over Terrelle Pryor and Denard Robinson) after leading the country in completion percentage and finishing 9th in total offense. Led the country again in completion percentage as a senior. Finished his career the NCAA’s all time leader in completion percentage at 72.7% in 633 attempts and is third in Big Ten history in passer rating. Threw for over 5,000 yards and 34 career TDs and ran for another 1,000 yards and 10 TDs in college.

Devante Cross, Parkland (2013-2015): 6,342 yards, 64 TDs passing; 2,820 yards, 36 TDs rushing
College: Uncommitted
Only quarterback to win three consecutive District 11 titles at the 4A level. Led Parkland to the state finals and was a AP All State quarterback in 2015. Went 36-6 as a starter, getting his first start in game three of his sophomore season. Standout senior season, where he threw for 2,939 yards and 26 touchdowns and ran for 1,358 yards and 19 touchdowns. Named PA Football News State Offensive Player of the Year in 2015. Threw for 2,400 yards as a junior and set a school record with 27 TD passes. Also a standout cornerback and was an all league selection on defense. Parkland’s all time leader in every major passing category. Decommitted from Boston College, where he was recruited as a cornerback after receiving offers to play QB at Virginia and Virginia Tech.

Mark Borda, Bethlehem Catholic (1999-2001): 5,740 yards passing, 48 TDs passing
College: Lehigh
Took over as a sophomore midway through the 1999 season due to injury, and quarterbacked Becahi to back-to-back D11 titles and Eastern Final appearances against CB West. Threw for 2,897 yards, then a D11 single season record, in Becahi’s explosive 2000 offense. Named First Team AP All State quarterback in 2000. Second in Becahi history in passing yards and touchdowns behind Dan Kendra (who played 3A,otherwise would be a shoe in for this team). Dismissed from the team before the final week of the regular season in 2001, otherwise, could have joined Cross as three-time D11 champion quarterbacks. Threw for 1,887 yards and 20 touchdowns in nine games as a senior before dismissal. Initially recruited by UCLA, Tennessee, and Maryland before bigger schools backed off, and stayed local by committing to Lehigh. In college, was an All Patriot League selection as a junior, and was a preseason FCS All American in 2005 before a broken foot prematurely ended his college career.

Dan Harding, Nazareth (2010-2011): 5,541 yards passing, 48 TDs
College: Akron/Sierra Junior College/Albany
Led Nazareth to their only District 11 title and state playoff appearance in 2011. Named the AP State Player of the Year and First Team quarterback in 2011. Broke Mark Borda’s D11 Quad-A passing record by almost 1,000 yards, lighting up opposing defenses for 3,749 yards and 32 TDs in 2011. Has bounced around in college, starting at Akron, then transferring to Sierra Junior College in California, where he was a JUCO regional All American, and spent this fall at FCS Albany.

You can tell I had time off around the holidays...

Here are my All State picks for 4A. Like I said on the thread about the AP team, I think they did a good job, and while there are some differences in my picks, I don't have any major disagreements. Enjoy.

Quarterbacks (4)

Ryan Stover, Upper Dublin (Sr. 6’4 205): 157-247, 2,507 yards, 27-7 TD/INT; 87 carries, 1,002 yards, 13 TDs
Four year starter for the District 1 Champs, who set a school record with 14 wins and advanced to the Eastern Final. One of four quarterbacks in 4A to throw for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000. Averaged over ten yards an attempt passing and over eleven yards per carry rushing. Torched North Penn for 246 yards in program’s first D1 championship game win and threw for 211 yards and ran for a 43 yard TD in a losing effort in the Eastern Final. Being recruited by Towson, Richmond, William & Mary, Holy Cross, and Delaware.

Phil Jurkovec, Pine-Richland (So. 6’5 205): 177-265, 2,575 yards, 20-4 INT/TD; 135 carries, 1,281 yards, 11 TDs
Electric sophomore more than adequately replaced record setting quarterback Ben DiNucci. Second in the state in total offense, and became the first sophomore in state history to record a 2,000/1,000 season. Averaged 215 yards per game through the air, good for fifth in the state. Also averaged 106 yards rushing per game and an eye popping 9.5 yards per carry, fourth in the state among players with at least 100 carries. Led Pine-Richland to a 10-2 record and a trip to WPIAL semifinals. Already has been offered by a handful of Power 5 programs, including Penn State, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and UCLA.

Brett Laffoon, Penn-Trafford: 137-209, 2,452 yards, 32-4 TD/INT
Quarterbacked Penn-Trafford to an undefeated regular season and their first berth in the WPIAL finals since 1997. Eight to one TD to INT ratio was third in the state, as was his touchdown pass total, and he was fifth in completion percentage. Threw for 292 yards and three TDs, and engineered the game winning drive in the final 52 seconds in a WPIAL semifinal win over defending champion Pine-Richland. Being recruited by Youngstown State.

Devante Cross, Parkland (Sr. 6’2 185): 184-297, 2,671 yards, 24-10 TD/INT; 226 carries, 1,350 yards, 19 TDs
Leads the state in total offense and is second in TDs responsible for. Fourth in passing yards. Also ranks in the top fifteen in passing yards per game, completion percentage, completions, passing touchdowns, carries, and rushing touchdowns. Finished third in the state among quarterbacks in rushing yards and tied for second in touchdowns. Threw for 241 yards and a TD in the eastern final. Carried 28 times for 118 yards, threw for 142 yards, had an interception, and scored the game winning TD in overtime against LaSalle in D11’s first PIAA Quarterfinal win since 2008. Has eight 100 yard rushing games and seven 200 yard passing games. Recently decomitted from Boston College, where he was scheduled to play defense, and has been offered by the new Virginia staff as a quarterback. Also holds offers from Syracuse and Virginia Tech.

Running Backs (6)

Kyle Boney, Emmaus (Sr. 6’0 225): 314 carries, 2,518 yards, 40 TDs
Massive, rugged tailback for the Emmaus in their "Neanderthal" offense. EPC South Offensive MVP over the likes of Devante Cross, Kenny Yeboah, and Jahan Dotson. Led the state in rushing yards, yards per game, and touchdowns and finished second in carries. Averaged 8.0 yards per carry, despite the entire stadium knowing he was getting the ball on most every play. Ran for 377 yards and four TDs against Whitehall and 311 yards and 7 touchdowns against Williamsport. Only held under 150 yards once, by Parkland. Scored at least three touchdowns nine times. Being recruited by Boston College, Northwestern, Maryland, Purdue, and Virginia.

Miles Sanders, Woodland Hills (Sr. 6’0 205): 135 carries, 1,521 yards, 16 TDs
Despite missing two games and being limited in others with a foot injury, finished twelfth in the state in total rushing yards and fifth in yards per game. Led the state in yards per carry at 11.3. Did this all while splitting carries with fellow all state pick Jo-El Shaw, with whom he teamed to form the best backfield in Pennsylvania. Rushed for over 100 yards in every game where he received at least six carries. Ran for 246 yards and two touchdowns in a win over rival West Allegheny. Ran for 222 yards in Quad North division clinching win over Mount Lebanon. One of two running backs to break 100 yards against Pittsburgh Central Catholic, and tallied a season high 111 yards against the Vikings in their playoff loss. Committed to Penn State.

Isaiah Bruce, Upper Darby (Sr. 5’9 185): 320 carries, 2,450 yards, 37 TDs
Led the state in carries and averaged 27 totes per game. Finished second to Boney in yards and touchdowns. One of two backs in 4A to average over 200 yards per game. Rushed for a staggering 337 yards and seven touchdowns in the first playoff win in Upper Darby history, a 59-35 win over Council Rock North. That broke his previous career high of 322 yards in a week five win over Lower Merion. Finished his career with 203 yards on Thanksgiving against Haveford. Ran for over 100 yards in twelve games, over 200 in seven, and over 300 in two. Graduated with every single season and career rushing record in school history. Led Upper Darby to a 10-3 record and a quarterfinal run in the D1 tournament.

Nysir Minney-Gratz, Easton (Sr. 5’7 155): 256 carries, 1,949 yards, 26 TDs
Diminutive speedster finished fourth in the state in rushing yards running behind an offensive line that averaged 211 pounds. Had the highest single game total in 4A with 469 yards, setting both a school and D11 record, in the regular season finale against Nazareth to clinch a subregional playoff berth. Also broke the 300 yard barrier with a 307 yard day against Liberty. Offensive MVP of Easton-P’Burg on Thanksgiving with 133 yards on 19 carries. Had nine touchdowns of 45 yards or longer, including three from beyond 80 yards and a 92 yard kick return. Second highest single season rushing total in 121 years of Easton football.

Jayden Demmy, Cedar Cliff (Sr. 5’9 190): 249 carries, 1,876 yards, 27 TDs
Fourth in the state in yards per game with 170 and fifth in the state in rushing touchdowns for the explosive Cedar Cliff offense. Scored 33 total touchdowns. Broke Cedar Cliff’s career rushing record with his second straight season of over 1,700 yards. Nine 100 yard games, including a season high 334 and four touchdowns in a playoff win over Red Land. Opened the season with 199 yards and 6 total TDs in a win over Penn Manor. Scored a touchdown in every game., scoring multiple touchdowns eight times.

Ronnie Jones, Pittsburgh Central Catholic (Sr. 6’1 195): 229 carries, 1,757 yards, 20 TDs
Finished eight in the state in rushing yards, and in the top fifteen in yards per carry, carries, and rushing touchdowns. Main offensive weapon for the state champions. Ran for 119 yards and two touchdowns in the State Finals. Rushed for 760 yards in WPIAL/State playoff games, including 144 in a revenge win over North Allegheny. Key interception return for a touchdown in a win over Woodland Hills. Committed to Toledo, but has recently received a Power 5 offer from Iowa State.

Wide Receivers (4)

Tim Vecchio, Penn-Trafford: 51 catches, 1,115 yards, 18 TDs
Led the state in touchdown catches and was fifth in receiving yards. Averaged almost 22 yards per reception and was the favorite target of all state quarterback Brett Laffoon. Only receiver in 4A with back-to-back 1,000 yards seasons. Main offensive weapon for the Penn-Trafford unit that scored 44 points per game on their way to the WPAIL final. Also returned four interceptions for touchdowns. Committed to Robert Morris.

Deonte Dawson, DuBois (Sr. 6’1 205): 80 catches, 1,325 yards, 9 TDs
Led the state in receiving yards and finished second in catches. Averaged over 120 yards per game. Finished his career with 157 catches, 29 TDs, and over 2,500 receiving yards. Had at least 100 yards receiving in seven games, including a 10 catch 198 yards effort against Franklin. Oddly, only had six catches for 90 yards in their 107-90 shootout with Meadville.

Kenny Yeboah, Parkland (Sr. 6’6 220): 71 catches, 1,155 yards, 14 TDs
The best red zone threat in Pennsylvania was fourth in the state in catches and yards, despite receiving few targets in early season blowouts. Third in Pennsylvania with 14 TD catches, breaking the Parkland school record he previously shared with Tim Massaquoi. Has 25 catches, 508 yards, and 6 TDs in playoff games, including 7 catches for 102 yards and a 48 yard TD in the Eastern Final. Also lead Parkland in interceptions with 5, including a key pick against Upper Dublin to set up the tying score in the second half. Committed to Temple, where he will play tight end.

Jahan Dotson, Nazareth (So. 6’0 170): 66 catches, 1,179 yards, 16 TDs
Sophomore sensation is one of two players in 4A to average over 100 receiving yards per game. Second in the state in TDs, third in yards, and fifth in catches. Returned two interceptions for touchdown and scored two kick return TDs. Caught a touchdown in ten of eleven games. Saved his best for the playoffs, where he caught six passes for 172 yards and 4 TDs, had over 150 yards in punt returns, and snagged an interception in a losing effort against Wyoming Valley West. Already Nazareth’s all time leader in catches, yards, and touchdowns after his 10th grade season. Recently received his first FBS scholarship offer from the new staff at Rutgers, and many more are expected, particularly as he physically matures.

Article in Pittsburgh Trib tomorrow: http://triblive.com/sports/hssports/football/9680428-74/wpial-piaa-schools#axzz3vCs9HaW1

I know the WPIAL has acted as though they were against this all along but I always thought they had it wrong. They seem to forget that there are 120+ football schools. They were so worried about preserving the Heinz Field tradition but they seem to forget that only 8 teams make it to Heinz Field...over 90% of schools will be done practicing long before Thanksgiving.

Even at the beginning of the season there's probably only 30 or so schools across all classes that were realistically expecting to have a shot at Heinz at the end of the season. Schools like Clairton, South Fayette, Aliquippa, West Allegheny, Central Valley & Central Catholic have dominated the Heinz field berths in recent years. (Look at AA where SF and the Quips have taken 10 out of the 12 Heinz spots in the past 6 years).

Most schools aren't worried about the Heinz Field tradition because most have never been there. Their concern is playing schools that are their size, having a chance to allow their students to compete, maybe improving their playoff chances or win a playoff game. Add to that - the district will now have the opportunity to send 6 schools on to the state playoffs.

Articles were written in the area trashing the "Hershey" experience and how it can't compare to Heinz, how the WPIAL should secede from the PIAA, and other ridiculous claims. As a die-hard South Fayette fan since the 90's I have been on both sides of the coin and I can say:
#1 - until you've won a state championship you don't understand how special Hershey is. Getting to Heinz and winning was nice...winning at Hershey was the ultimate, truthfully Heinz can't compare to being the BEST in the STATE. Hershey stadium isn't Heinz but it doesn't have to be...they could play in a field with no bleachers in the middle of nowhere and I'd be there to cheer on our boys.
#2 - prior to 2009 SF had a decent program that qualified for the WPIAL playoffs many years but never could get over the hump and didn't win a single playoff game for 7 years after moving up to AA. We weren't concerned about Heinz or Hershey, or 4 classes or 6 classes. We just wanted a chance to compete, our memories of that time were tightly contested regular season games against rivals.

Long post I know...but to sum it up: I would guess that over 50% of WPIAL schools were in favor of this move all along. I'm tired of local reporters voicing the concerns of the top 5% of WPIAL schools and acting like this is such a travesty. This is a good thing for the state, this is a good thing for the students, this is a good thing for the WPIAL. I for one am excited about it and secretly hoping for a South Fayette - Imhotep rematch next year in Hershey (although on the South Fayette side I think it's a tough road!).