6A All State Team

[RoverNation05]

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.

 

[HSFB99]

As far as D1 is concerned, I was shocked Clemens wasn’t on the team on O or D. I have no clue how Syzdlik from CRS made it (dad or uncle is the coach I believe). Was that deserving. I didn’t see much CRS this year. I never really heard much about him. Surprised me.

 

[bucksftball]

Foulke was the third best QB in the PCL? Not even a top 5 player on his own team this year. Coach of the year hard to defend also, with a team that literally had no special teams.

State College and Manheim seem to have very (very) strong representation on this team every year.

Clemens not getting anything is inexcusable. Especially with the Parkland back being a sophomore and having “only” 1100 yards and not a very high YPC. Same with the junior CRS LB, no way to justify that pick over Clemens, especially with the difference in level of competition. I thought he’d end up with one of the Athlete nods, along with Day. There are a lot of great players who excel both ways, but most end up on All-State teams and very very rarely are they also a stud kicker who goes something like 48/50 combined on the season. Hopefully the coaches’ poll recognizes him.

 

[RoverNation05]

Foulke was the third best QB in the PCL? Not even a top 5 player on his own team this year. Coach of the year hard to defend also, with a team that literally had no special teams.

State College and Manheim seem to have very (very) strong representation on this team every year.

Clemens not getting anything is inexcusable. Especially with the Parkland back being a sophomore and having “only” 1100 yards and not a very high YPC. Same with the junior CRS LB, no way to justify that pick over Clemens, especially with the difference in level of competition. I thought he’d end up with one of the Athlete nods, along with Day. There are a lot of great players who excel both ways, but most end up on All-State teams and very very rarely are they also a stud kicker who goes something like 48/50 combined on the season. Hopefully the coaches’ poll recognizes him.

I thought the Lawrence Parkland would make it as a linebacker - they almost always are going to have a representative from the district champs on the all state team, and Lawrence was the only viable candidate from Parkland (the problem with the fifth best team in the league gets hot and wins the title). As I was scrolling and I saw him as a running back and neither Easton kid, my blood started to boil a little. Calmed down when I saw Day.

The Manheim Township thing is weird. Good football team. Had about the same season as Easton (even lost in the same round, albeit by significantly more), but they’ve got four all state kids to our one? Each school probably each should have had a guy on the team. But teams get weird support, I remember even after Moncman left Liberty, they’d gave stretches where they’d get multiple all state kids when they’d go 6-4.

State College is another that gets 4-5 kids every year. That said, the older Gaul is very good.

I think the quality of this team has gone way down. Biggest factor is, there are so many fewer newspapers that thoroughly cover high school football, so the voting pool has shrunk tremendously. The Express-Times in Easton alone used to have six people who voted on the All State team, I think now they have one. Do papers like the Intelligencer in Bucks County even have a high school sports reporter in the Associated Press anymore? And as the voting pool has shrunk, the quality of the team has gone way down. Which is a shame, because in some ways, it’s easier to be familiar with the whole state than ever (you can watch Hudl highlights of every nominated player!). It’s too bad.

 

[Fletchster1]

Poll loses credibility with the 4 from MT and 5 (what?) from SC. 2 OL from each school. One would think that whoever put this together would have reviewed before hitting send.

 

[northalleghenytiger]

These writers need to figure it out

 

[4i tech]

Max Hiller from Coatesville is one of the best in the state freaking nasty Olineman who has offers from Michigan Ohio State Alabama Texas AM Syracuse Penn State Missouri Maryland Pitt Oklahoma he was not on the All State

 

[Stalker]

Coach of Year:
6A right?
* I'd go with Gordon but understand Coach Cal getting there with four consecutive District-3 titles. No small feat in that district vs conference foes State College, Cumberland Valley, Central Dauphin, Bishop McDevitt and Cedar Cliff with Central York, Wilson or Manheim Township challenging from York and Lancaster Leagues.
* Senneca at Easton had one of the best if not best turn around in the state going from 3-8 to 11-2. Best offense in eleven years, one of top point turnarounds in the state.

Quarterback:
* Everett pulled another one from his hat in junior Jaiyon Lewis throwing for 62%, 2050 yards with a 19/9 ratio and rushing for 594 yards. Got the call to start a week before the season began with last year's QB Shawn Lee ineligible; 2272 passing, 1451 rushing (!), 67%, 25/5 ratio. Would rather seen him and the Cougars vs SJP instead of Pitt CC!
* Hetrick at CB South!

EDITED to put this in proper order.

 

[RobberLucky]

Not sure how Brett Gordon wasn’t coach of the year?

No Max Hiller? No Alex Haskel? No Clemens? Hell, even Eddie Bowen at CB South.

Foulke grew a lot this year but the player of the year carries their team. He doesn’t have to do that.

Sidwar was first team all Catholic voted by coaches. He was Huck Palmer PCL mvp. Foulke was not recognized as all Catholic by coaches or Huck Palmer. Sidwar means more to his team than Foulke does to his.

I’m sure there are more omissions, but these are my 2 cents.

 

[ChesterStyle]

Look up, Connor Kelly from Ridley. 4 year Starter, 400+ tackles, multiple INT & Sacks each year. I hen plays Rb senior year and gains 1000 yds.

 

[yeez1001]

I only saw the 2nd lasalle st joe game live, but it sure seemed like they asked folk to carry the team. Seemed like every big long down was him making a play on the move. That was the difference in the game, him keeping drives going when the other team couldn’t. Didn’t see much of the playoff run but that was their last good opponent.

 

[RoverNation05]

Impressive that this is Everett’s fourth AP Coach of the Year since 2016. Ties him with Mike Pettine, George Curry, and Art Walker for the most Big School COY’s of all time.

 

[lilromeo]

Foulke was the third best QB in the PCL? Not even a top 5 player on his own team this year. Coach of the year hard to defend also, with a team that literally had no special teams.

State College and Manheim seem to have very (very) strong representation on this team every year.

Clemens not getting anything is inexcusable. Especially with the Parkland back being a sophomore and having “only” 1100 yards and not a very high YPC. Same with the junior CRS LB, no way to justify that pick over Clemens, especially with the difference in level of competition. I thought he’d end up with one of the Athlete nods, along with Day. There are a lot of great players who excel both ways, but most end up on All-State teams and very very rarely are they also a stud kicker who goes something like 48/50 combined on the season. Hopefully the coaches’ poll recognizes him.

Just read Clemens made first team offensive player on coaches all state team . Great news

 

[RoverNation05]

The coaches team is weirder than the AP one.

Player of the Year: Ty Salazar, State College
Coach of the Year: Luke Dougherty, Haverford

First Team Offense
QB: Eddie Corkery, State College
RB: Liam Taylor, Haverford
RB: Declan Clancy, Manheim Township
FB: Eddie Bowen, CB South
ABP: Connor Kelly, Ridley
WR: Ty Salazar, State College
WR: Santana Young, CD East
WR: Brendyn Smith, Central York
TE: Michael Glover, Wilson West Lawn
OL: Tyler Merrill, Cumberland Valley
OL: Khalil Stewart, SJP
OL: Max Hiller, Coatesville
OL: Jack Yatchenko, North Allegheny
OL: Cole Euker, Perkiomen Valley
LS: John Tinney, ridley
K: Matthew Parker, Central York
KR: Ben Petrillo, Downingtown East
OATH: Ryan Clemens, CB West
OATH: Madyx Gruber, Wilson West Lawn

First Team Defense
DL: Robert Edwards, Emmaus
DL: Angelo Pugliano, PCC
DL: Jack Lisicki, Haverford
DL: Zach Brown, CD East
DL: Brian Carter, Downingtown West
LB: Michael Gaul, State College
LB: Bradley Gompers, PCC
LB: Anthony Sacca, SJP
LB: Connor Kelly, Ridley
DB: Xxavier Thomas, PCC
DB: Ke’Aune Green, Cumberland Valley
DB: Elias Hanson, Coatesville
DB: Tommy Miller, Downingtown West
DATH: Tyler Frey, Central York
P: Will Buck, Emmaus

Second Team Offense
QB: Gavin Sidwar, LaSalle
QB: Peyton Falzone, Nazareth
RB: Khyan Billups, SJP
RB: Elijah Faulkner, PCC
APB: Cooper Brushwood, State College
WR: Jett Harrison, SJP
WR: Elias Coke, Harrisburg
WR: Joey O’Brien, LaSalle
TE: Nolan Buzalka, Cumberland Valley
OL: Alex Klee, Haverford
OL: Miles Makes, Neshaminy
OL: Zack Coleman, Central Dauphin
OL: Keyshawn Efese, Reading
OL: Brian Moore, Imhotep
LS: Jake Stannix, CB West
K: Billy Lech, PCC
OATH: Ziyyon Bredell, Abraham Lincoln
OATH: Tyson Scott, George Washington

Second Team Defense
DL: Colin Gurley, Central York
DL: Dyjeere Weekes, Scranton
DL: Jeremiha Hunter, Central York
DL: Ashton Blatt, PCC
DL: Brody McHugh, Emmaus
LB: Cam Smith, SJP
LB: Terry Wiggins, Coatesville
LB: Jackson Griffiths, Downingtown East
LB: Walker Murray, Pennsbury
DB: Marquez Wimberly, Nazareth
DB: Don Rodriguez, Manheim Township
DB: Xavier Beatty, Reading
DB: Leo Dauberman, Parkland
DB: Gabriel Laws, Reading
P: Jackson Waggoner, Cumberland Valley

 

[4i tech]

At least they got the OLine right!

 

[RoverNation05]

There are as many players from a 6-6 Cumberland Valley team as there are from all of District 11

 

[RoverNation05]

Reading (2-8): 2 players
Easton and Freedom (21-4 combined): 0 players

 

[tulla]

Reading (2-8): 2 players
Easton and Freedom (21-4 combined): 0 players

Rover,

There are three Reading players on the second team and more first team guys from both State College and PCC (three from each) than SJP has (two) and more total PCC players (six) than SJP ones (five). I guess PCC had more "talent" than SJP did.

 

[RoverNation05]

Rover,

There are three Reading players on the second team and more first team guys from both State College and PCC (three from each) than SJP has (two) and more total PCC players (six) than SJP ones (five). I guess PCC had more "talent" than SJP did.

I’m assuming the team is just a snap shot of which coaches did and did not reply to the nomination email from PaFootballNews

 

[Stalker]

No offense guys but I hope none of you feel ANY of these people conjuring up "All-State" teams get out and see many (if any) of these teams and games. We have or had more guys on the board who saw more games than most if not all of these people, in some cases, across the state.

 

[tulla]

No offense guys but I hope none of you feel ANY of these people conjuring up "All-State" teams get out and see many (if any) of these teams and games. We have or had more guys on the board who saw more games than most if not all of these people, in some cases, across the state.

I get it. I just don't see the point of a coaches' all-state team since, by necessity, they are focused on their own teams and their own leagues.

 

[RoverNation05]

Agreed, Tulla. PA Football News used to have their staff/stringers vote on a team, which seems like a significantly better way to do it.

Stalk - here’s the issue. Particularly the AP team, which has existed since 1939, that’s the team of record. When somebody is looking back on the history of whatever season, the first or second thing you pull is the all state teams. I guess it’s trivial, but it also matters. So it’s frustrating when the results are silly.

 

[Stalker]

Agreed, Tulla. PA Football News used to have their staff/stringers vote on a team, which seems like a significantly better way to do it.

Stalk - here’s the issue. Particularly the AP team, which has existed since 1939, that’s the team of record. When somebody is looking back on the history of whatever season, the first or second thing you pull is the all state teams. I guess it’s trivial, but it also matters. So it’s frustrating when the results are silly.

Well I think you nailed it, saying "I guess it's trivial, but it matters". That's pretty sad. True, but sad. Many of us and I'm thinking you and Tulla especially (and others) have taken it seriously over the years, getting to know teams and having an opinion based on something. Ok, just and opinion but one based on observation, knowledge of these programs over time and a lot of work that in some cases involved a lot of travel to have a solid take on these teams.

 

[CAMoleskinner]

Here's the first AP All State squad from 1939 (one team):

1939 AP Pennsylvania All-State — First Team
Inaugural season that selections were made.

Position	Player	School	Weight
End	George Williams	Kingston	195
T	Mike Jarmoluk	Frankford	200
G	George Pavalko	Blythe Twp.	185
C	Bob Orlando	Erie Vincent	162
G	Larry Fellicetti	Carrick	180
T	George Gagliardi	Jeannette	175
End	Walter Griffith	Pottsville	175
B	Joe Andrejco	Hazleton	185
B	Joe Pascarella	Bradford	160
B	George Cheverko	Hazleton	190
B	Bill Miller	Clearfield	155

 

[RoverNation05]

Here's the first AP All State squad from 1939 (one team):

1939 AP Pennsylvania All-State — First Team
Inaugural season that selections were made.

Position	Player	School	Weight
End	George Williams	Kingston	195
T	Mike Jarmoluk	Frankford	200
G	George Pavalko	Blythe Twp.	185
C	Bob Orlando	Erie Vincent	162
G	Larry Fellicetti	Carrick	180
T	George Gagliardi	Jeannette	175
End	Walter Griffith	Pottsville	175
B	Joe Andrejco	Hazleton	185
B	Joe Pascarella	Bradford	160
B	George Cheverko	Hazleton	190
B	Bill Miller	Clearfield	155

They picked a first, second, and third team!

Second Team
End: Kentusky, Shenandoah
Tackle: Agusiewicz, Mount Carmel
Guard: Meng, Williamsport
Center: Baughmann, Jeannette
Guard: Ilkovich, Bethlehem
Tackle: Sasjina, Reading
End: Griffin, Bradford
Back: Bob Rute, Easton
Back: Baugher, Northeast (Phila.)
Back: Earl Ripple, Windber
Back: Sullivan, Westinghouse

Third Team
End: Lynn, Tyrone
Tackle: Ream, Johnstown
Guard: Pascavage, Frackville
Center: Montone, Wilkes-Barre Coughlin
Guard: Carey, DuBois
Tackle: Kulikowski, Kingston
End: Dracha, Reading
Back: Laughner, Ridgway
Back: Brightbill, Waynesboro
Back: Ulinski, Ambrige
Back: Cenci, Scranton Tech

From the article on the players on the first team
Cheverenko and Andrejco from Hazleton combined for 28 rushing touchdowns and were "heavy as most linemen with the speed and shiftiness of sprinters", while they "made more long touchdown runs than any other school-boy backs in the state" while leading Hazleton to an undefeated season
Miller was the "pace setter on the best Clearfield team in years"
Pascarella was the quarterback from Bradford - 35 of 66 for 593 yards and 11 touchdowns
Wilkins - largely responsible for Kingston winning the Big Fifteen Conference
Griffith - standout ends in the Wyoming valley and a thorn in the offense of every team he faced
Gaglairidi - star of Jeannette's undefeated WPIAL champs
Jarmoluk. - 200 pound Frankford stalwart
Pavalko - set the pace for the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference champions, adept at running the guard functions of the Warner system
Fellicetti - three year starter, rated the best guard out of Pittsburgh in 20 years, brilliant at diagnosing opposing plays
Orlando - a roving center who brought Strong Vincent their first Erie city championship

 

[CAMoleskinner]

Now that stuff is interesting!

I found that one team listing for the first group years ago and couldn't seem to locate more (maybe I'm not trying hard enough).

The Hazleton backs averaged 187.5 pounds and were "heavy as most linemen" - but they had speed and were shifty.

Bob Rute - Easton!!

Seems to be fairly representative (statewide) except not too much in SE PA or Philly (Frankford High and Northeast High in Philly).

 

[tulla]

Now that stuff is interesting!

I found that one team listing for the first group years ago and couldn't seem to locate more (maybe I'm not trying hard enough).

The Hazleton backs averaged 187.5 pounds and were "heavy as most linemen" - but they had speed and were shifty.

Bob Rute - Easton!!

Seems to be fairly representative (statewide) except not too much in SE PA or Philly (Frankford High and Northeast High in Philly).

Also worth noting that there wasn't one player from a Catholic school on the list, even though several Catholic schools fielded strong teams back then--or so I heard from my father. I suppose only players from public schools were considered eligible.

 

[CAMoleskinner]

I noticed that too.

 

[RoverNation05]

Now that stuff is interesting!

I found that one team listing for the first group years ago and couldn't seem to locate more (maybe I'm not trying hard enough).

The Hazleton backs averaged 187.5 pounds and were "heavy as most linemen" - but they had speed and were shifty.

Bob Rute - Easton!!

Seems to be fairly representative (statewide) except not too much in SE PA or Philly (Frankford High and Northeast High in Philly).

I have a newspaper archive subscription (that I love, clearly). I use it for a hall of fame committee I sit on, plus it’s great for history projects.

I did not know about the Hazleton backs.

Bob Rute I did know about - it’s why I went back to look because I thought he was first team. Easton legend, he was the star of the 10-0 team that year that claims a state title. He went to Duke, where he was their starting QB in the 1942 Rose Bowl. He came back to Easton after the service and was the head coach til 1967. He held the wins record at Easton until Shiffert, and the locker room facility at Cottingham is Bob Rute Fieldhouse. The park where I played Little League is also Bob Rute Park (he was the city director of recreation after he retired from teaching). If you’re making an Easton athletics Mount Rushmore, he’s on it. He also indirectly started Easton wrestling, by bringing his navy buddy, Gust Zarnas, a College Football Hall of Famer from Ohio State, to Easton to teach and run his defense (Rute actually nominated him to be the head coach, but he did not want the full responsibility). Zarnas started the wrestling program in ‘47.

The article also mentions the eastern Pennsylvania hard coal region being the “Mecca for college football talent.”

Tulla - I found a paper that listed all of the Honorable Mentions too. There is a center, Glenn and a back, Brady, from “St. Joseph’s Phila”, so they probably were eligible? I also see Johnstown Catholic and Altoona Catholic as I scroll. I know the Catholic high schools up here didn’t open until the ‘60s.

SJP won the Catholic League that year, looks like, from Ted Silary’s site that there were 8 Catholic League teams that year - SJP, Roman, West, North, St Thomas Moore, St John’s, LaSalle, South.

 

[RoverNation05]

Also worth noting that there wasn't one player from a Catholic school on the list, even though several Catholic schools fielded strong teams back then--or so I heard from my father. I suppose only players from public schools were considered eligible.

If you’re looking for a barrier breaker, West Catholic had the first Catholic all state player in 1941 when guard Paul Lhulier made the first team. Joe McAfee from St John’s made the third team that year.