AP All State Team - 6A

[RoverNation05]

Quarterbacks
Kyle McCord, St. Joseph's Prep (So. 6'3 195): 201-302, 2,884 yards, 35 TDs
Kane Everson, Harrisburg (Sr. 5'11 180; William & Mary): 169-253, 2,734 yards, 32 TDs, 11 INTs/146 carries, 1,000 yards, 9 TDs
Cade Pribula, Central York (Sr. 6'1 200; Delaware): 144-227, 2,863 yards, 31 TDs, 9 INTs
Ricky Ortega, Coatesville (Jr. 6'0 190): 123-195, 2,313 yards, 35 TDs, 4 INTs/119 carries, 822 yards, 12 TDs
Tommy Friberg, State College (Jr. 6'5 200): 137-202, 2,293 yards, 26 TDs, 10 INTs

Not a surprising group of quarterbacks. McCord led the state in yards and TDs and won a state championship on his way to being the AP Player of the Year. Everson was the best dual threat guy in the state this year and led Harrisburg to a surprise run to the state final. Pribula led the state in all passing categories at the end of the regular season (it took McCord until the state final to pass his yardage total). Ortega had an incredibly efficient year for what was the state's best offense for most of the year. And Friberg completed nearly 70% of his passes as State College dominated the middle part of the state.

If I were picking a team I probably would have gone with Freedom's Jared Jenkins (147-254, 2,204, 29-4) over Friberg as Friberg had 5 other All State players on his offense (will address that in a second) while Jenkins was the straw that stirred the drink for the 12-2 Patriots on their way to their first ever D11 title. Ryan Engro of Spring-Ford (184-337, 2,756, 31-6) also would have been a good choice for that last QB spot.

Running Backs
Nyzair Smith, Dallastown (Sr. 5'10 190): 257 carries, 1,985 yards, 24 TDs
Aaron Young, Coatesville (Sr. 5'11 190; Rutgers): 176 carries, 1,660 yards, 28 TDs
Shamar Edwards, North Penn (Sr. 5'11 190): 223 carries, 1,665 yards, 13 TDs
Damen Horton, Hazleton (Sr. 5'10 200): 196 carries, 1,466 yards, 25 TDs
Elijah Morales, Wilson West Lawn (Sr. 5'9 160): 180 carries, 1,134 yards, 16 TDs

Not a great year for PA running backs in the biggest classification. Smith led the state in rushing yards for the second consecutive season, though Dallastown only went 5-5. Young led the state in touchdowns and is the most dangerous running back in PA. Edwards went on an end of season tear to lead North Penn back to a D1 title game. Horton led the state in touchdowns at the conclusion of the regular season and had 7 in a game against Williamsport early in the season. And Morales had a nice year, breaking the 1,000 yard mark during district play.

If I'm picking the team, I would have gone with either Garvey Jonassaint of Downingtown East (247-1,716-18) who had a monster year for a very good DTE team, Keyshawn Jones from Chambersburg (211-1,577-14) who led Chambersburg to their first D3 playoff appearance in years, Luke Meckler from Pine-Richland (168-1,464-17) who was the big play threat for the D7 champs, or Kaleb Monaco of Pocono Mountain West (225-1,748-25) who was second in the state in rushing yards.

Wide Receivers
Dapree Bryant, Coatesville (Jr. 5'8 175): 52 catches, 1,008 yards, 15 TDs
Johnny Freeman, St. Joseph's Prep (Jr. 6'1 205): 51 catches, 848 yards, 11 TDs
Tommy Manos, Nazareth (Sr. 6'0 180): 90 catches, 1,201 yards, 7 TDs
Jacob Hunsinger, Hazleton (Sr. 6'1 185): 51 catches, 1,042 yards, 11 TDs
Marvin Harrison Jr., St. Joseph's Prep (So. 6'3 175): 50 catches, 724 yards, 8 TDs

Solid group of wideouts, led by the pair from St. Joseph's Prep. Freeman and Harrison are both big time prospects who gave state POY Kyle McCord the best receiving corps in Pennsylvania. Manos led the state in yards and catches for the wide open Nazareth offense and broke Jahan Dotson's school receptions record. Bryant was the most dangerous wideout in the state, leading 6A in touchdown catches and posting his second straight 50 catch, 1,000 yard season. Hunsinger was one of three players with a 1,000 yard regular season.

Not a ton of qualms with this group, though Taylor Wright-Rawls from Central York (40-1,025-11), Dante Bonanni from Spring-Ford (64-1,018-11), Dan Byrnes from Downingtown West (44-899-10) all were deserving candidates.

Tight End
Nick Gallo, Council Rock South (Sr. 6'4 235; Virginia Tech): 33 catches, 363 yards, TD

Gallo is the most highly recruited player at the position in 6A. He was a solid short yardage threat in the passing game for CRS. Nick Viva from Nazareth (27-288-7) was one of the best red zone threats in the state for one of the highest scoring teams in the state.

Offensive Line
Andrew Kristofic, Pine-Richland (Sr. 6'6 275; Notre Dame)
Ramsey Kifolo, State College (Jr. 6'3 315)
Mike Katic, Pine-Richland (Sr. 6'3 280; Indiana)
Raymond Christas, Dallastown (Sr. 6'2 260)
Ricky Santiago, Coatesville (Sr. 6'5 305; Towson)

Kristofic, Katic, and Santiago were slam dunks in my opinion. The Pine-Richland pair carried a very young Rams offense back to the state final 4 and will both be solid college linemen. Santiago was the left tackle on the awesome Coatesville offense and was one of the most improved players in the state. Kifolo is an FBS prospect who was the lynchpin of the offensive line for the Little Lions. Christas was the center who paved the way for Nyzair Smith's state leading rushing total.

Offensive line is the hardest position to get a global opinion on. Locally, Kaden Moore from Freedom, Michael Bennet from Parkland, and Patrick Shupp from Easton all had their hat in the ring as All State caliber players (I would have voted for Moore on my own personal ballot).

Offensive Athletes
Marques Mason, St. Joseph's Prep (Sr. 5'8 165): 41 catches, 576 yards, 4 TDs/94 carries, 553 yards, 11 TDs/2 KR TDs
Dresyn Green, State College (So. 5'10 170): 102 carries, 1,012 yards, 13 TDs

Mason was the quintessential all purpose back for the state champ. He had more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage and led the Hawks in touchdowns. Green emerged as the go-to running back for the Little Lions and is a sophomore to watch.

Kicker
Jack Rodenberger, Manheim Township (Sr. 6'0 175): 38-39 PATs, 11-15 FG, long 40, 20 touchbacks on kickoffs/38.3 punting average, 12 inside the 20, long 63

Rodenberger was a Mini-Maxwell winner and a dual threat guy with his leg.

 

[RoverNation05]

Defensive Line
Trevor Harris, Liberty (Sr. 6'3, 235; Navy): 77 tackles, 18 TFL, 15 sacks, 3 FF, 3 blocked kicks
Dionte Nichols, Harrisburg (Jr. 6'2 230): 79 tackles, 22.5 TFL, 16.5 sacks, 3 FF, INT
Cade Brennan, Garnet Valley (Sr. 6'4 235; Bucknell): 58 tackles, 7.5 sacks
Brian Dallas, Pittsburgh Central Catholic (Sr. 6'4 225; Kent State)

Solid group along the defensive line. Harris was the EPC Defensive Player of the Year after a monster season. He's one of two Navy recruits on the 6A defense. Nichols had the best season of any defensive lineman in the state and was a monster for the runners-up. Brennan was the defensive player of the year in his conference as the head of a strong Garnet Valley defense. Dallas had a 20+ sack junior season and was one of PCC's backbone defenders again this year.

Miguel Jackson of Pine-Richland had a monster sophomore year, racking up 15 sacks and 57 stops for the Rams. Jerome Henderson of Erie McDowell and Sean Pelkisson of Downingtown West also had monster years that would put their hat in the ring if I had a vote.

Linebackers
Tristan Wheeler, Freedom (Sr. 6'2 225; Richmond): 102 tackles, 3.5 sacks, FR, INT
Andre White, Harrisburg (Sr. 6'3 225; Texas A&M): 135 tackles, 12 TFL, 3 sacks, FF
Tyler King, Pine-Richland (Sr. 6'1 220; Navy): 98 tackles, 16 TFL, 7 sacks, 3 FF
Myles Talley, St. Joseph's Prep (Sr. 5'10 200): 74 tackles, 25 TFL, 9.5 sacks
Elijah Workinger, Red Lion (Sr. 6'5 250): 136 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 sack, FF/28 catches, 454 yards, 6 TDs/41-43 XP, 7 of 8 FG (long 49)
Adam Burkhart, Central Dauphin (Sr. 5'11 215): 75 tackles, 8 TFL, 2 sacks, INT/205 carries, 1,279 yards, 21 TDs
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., St. Joseph's Prep (So. 6'0 200): 91 tackles, 16 TFL, 4 sacks, 3 FF

GREAT set of linebackers this year. Workinger had an incredible year as a middle linebacker/tight end/kicker. He probably is the best kicker in the state at 6'5 250 and also made over 130 tackles for a Red Lion team that won their conference. Burkhart was in the mix as either a running back or linebacker. Trotter and Talley had huge years for the state champs, with Talley's numbers as a blitzer really popping off the page. White is the best talent of the group - he'll be a solid linebacker in the SEC after being the best player for the Cougars. Wheeler was the heart and soul of the Freedom team that won their first D11 title and this caps a great career as a 3 year starter for the Patriots. And King is a repeat selection and was the best defender in the WPIAL.

Not sure who I would replace on this team (though I probably would have taken Burkhart as a running back to free up a spot) but Shane Hartzell from Pennridge led the state in tackles and deserved at least a look. Oleh Manzyk of Neshaminy had a great career that probably deserved an All State nod, as did Matt Norris from CB South. From the Valley, Tamir Jackson of Easton put up a 100 tackle season as a sophomore and is one of the underclassmen defenders to watch going forward.

Defensive Backs
Joey Porter Jr., North Allegheny (Sr. 6'2 190; Penn State): 22 tackles, 3 INT, FF
Keaton Ellis, State College (Sr. 6'1 185; Penn State): 51 tackles, 4 INT, 2 TFL/50 catches, 888 yards, 15 TDs
Sammy Knipe, State College (So. 6'1 210): 100 tackles, 3 TFL, INT
Dom Dodson, Pittsburgh Central Catholic (Sr. 5'11 185; Columbia)
Isaiah Gilmore, WIlson West Lawn (Sr. 5'11 185): 36 tackles, INT

Solid group here, led by Ellis of State College. He was the most dynamic player on one of the most talented teams in the state, and was a huge threat on offense as well as in the secondary. Porter is the other Penn State commit, blanketing his half of the field for North Allegheny as a big, press corner. Knipe is a player to watch going forward as a big hitting safety for the Little Lions. Dodson and Gilmore both had solid years for traditionally excellent defenses.

In others who would have earned my vote, Matt Mikulka of Manheim Township led the state in interceptions with 8. Rontay Dunbar from Freedom was also a dynamic presence in the secondary for the D11 champs. Lubens Myers from Emmaus was a shutdown corner and 1,000 yard rusher for the 11-2 Green Hornets.

Defensive Athlete
Cohen Russell, State College (Sr. 5'8 175): 61 tackles, INT/39 catches, 843 yards, 11 TDs
Donte Kent, Harrisburg (Jr. 5'11 170): 44 tackles, 6 INT/24 catches, 630 yards, 10 TDs

Russell was the other dynamic offensive player in the State College passing game while also manning a cornerback spot. Kent was one of my picks at defensive back as the best secondary guy for the Cougars.

 

[SPEED&JUMP DR.]

I know a lot of this is regional politics , and you can probably nitpick many of the selections. But the one thing that jumped out at me was State College getting 6 players , including 3 on a defense that gave up 88 points in their 2 biggest games of the year. I wonder what the record is for most first team selections ?

 

[Fletchster1]

I know a lot of this is regional politics , and you can probably nitpick many of the selections. But the one thing that jumped out at me was State College getting 6 players , including 3 on a defense that gave up 88 points in their 2 biggest games of the year. I wonder what the record is for most first team selections ?

Good call! 6 from one school that didn’t win it all seems a little off. Did their SID handle the voting?

 

[RoverNation05]

I know a lot of this is regional politics , and you can probably nitpick many of the selections. But the one thing that jumped out at me was State College getting 6 players , including 3 on a defense that gave up 88 points in their 2 biggest games of the year. I wonder what the record is for most first team selections ?

That was one of the things I meant to do a follow up post on. That jumped off the page to me to. Not to disparage any individual kids, but State College having more selections than any other program doesn’t make a lot of sense. I have a spreadsheet of every AP All State pick, so I can verify overall, but no state champ in the biggest classification has ever had more than 6 All State players (LaSalle in 09, PCC in 04, NA 12, and SJP 18). So this year’s State College team is one of the best big school rosters since 1988?

I also think it’s weird that there are multiple players from Hazleton (6-6), Wilson West Lawn (8-5), Pittsburgh Central Catholic (7-4), and Dallastown, but only one player from Freedom (12-2, District Champ/Conference Champ), North Penn (13-1, District Finalist/Conference Champ), Garnet Valley (12-1, Conference Champ), Manheim Township (10-2, Conference Champ), and North Allegheny (10-1, Conference Champ).

There also were NO players from a bunch of 10 win teams: Emmaus (11-2, Conference Co-Champ), Downingtown West (11-2, District Semis), Harry S Truman (10-2, best year in school history).

 

[district1elite]

No Oleh Manzyk on the all-state team is a joke. Shane Hartzel also should have been there. Replacing Nick Tarburton as a Sophomore and then leading the state in tackles c’mon. Of course it’s politics.

 

[RoverNation05]

No Oleh Manzyk on the all-state team is a joke. Shane Hartzel also should have been there. Replacing Nick Tarburton as a Sophomore and then leading the state in tackles c’mon. Of course it’s politics.

I think linebacker is the strongest spot on the team - I don’t see an argument for any of the 6 not being All State picks. But in crafting my own team, I had Manzyk. The resolution probably is taking Burkhart as a running back (he was the entire offense for the D3 finalist) and you can take Workinger in one of the Athlete spots (maybe replacing one of the State College picks), or at tight end or kicker.

Jalen Stewart from Freedom (125 tackles, 20 TFL, 8 sacks) also should have been in my mix for linebackers (though you could also argue he played safety and pick him in the secondary)

 

[district1elite]

2 players out of suburban 1 is ridiculous...

 

[RoverNation05]

Breakdown by District/Conference

District 1 (7)
Suburban One (2)
Shamar Edwards, North Penn
Nick Gallo, Council Rock South

Chesmont (4)
Ricky Ortega, Coatesville
Aaron Young, Coatesville
Dapree Bryant, Coatesville
Ricky Santiago, Coatesville

Central League (1)
Cade Brennan, Garnet Valley

District 2 (2)
Wyoming Valley Conference (2)
Damon Horton, Hazleton
Jacob Hunsinger, Hazleton

District 3 (12)
Mid-Penn Commonwealth (5 D3/11 Total)
Kane Everson, Harrisburg
Dionte Nichols, Harrisburg
Andre White, Harrisburg
Donte Kent, Harrisburg
Adam Burkhart, Central Dauphin

Lancaster-Lebanon League (3)
Elijah Morales, Wilson West Lawn
Isaiah Gilmore, Wilson West Lawn
Jack Rodenberger, Manheim Township

York-Adams (4)
Cade Pribula, Central York
Nyzair Smith, Dallastown
Raymond Christas, Dallastown
Elijah Workinger, Red Lion

District 6 (6)
Mid-Penn Commonwealth (6 D6/11 Total)
Tommy Friberg, State College
Ramsey Kifolo, State College
Dresyn Green, State College
Keaton Ellis, State College
Sammy Knipe, State College
Cohen Russell, State College

District 7 (6)
WPIAL Quad-County Division (6)
Andrew Kristofic, Pine-Richland
Mike Katic, Pine-Richland
Tyler King, Pine-Richland
Brian Dallas, Pittsburgh Central Catholic
Dom Dodson, Pittsburgh Central Catholic
Joey Porter Jr., North Allegheny

District 11 (3)
East Penn Conference - South
Tommy Manos, Nazareth
Trevor Harris, Liberty
Tristan Wheeler, Freedom

District 12 (6)
Philly Catholic League (6)
Kyle McCord, St. Joseph’s Prep
Johnny Freeman, St. Joseph’s Prep
Marvin Harrison Jr., St. Joseph’s Prep
Marques Mason, St. Joseph’s Prep
Myles Talley, St. Joseph’s Prep
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., St. Joseph’s Prep

 

[RoverNation05]

Since I've been referencing what I would do, here's my crack at a 6A All State team. The one thing I've added (as I've done in years past) is a Jumbo Athlete spot - reserved for top shelf two-way interior linemen, a job I think gets way overlooked when All State teams get picked. Other than that, it's the same number of slots as the AP team.

Quarterbacks (5)
Kyle McCord, St. Joseph’s Prep (So. 6'2 195): 201-302, 2,884 yards, 35 TDs
Kane Everson, Harrisburg (Sr. 5'11 180; William & Mary): 169-253, 2,734 yards, 32 TDs, 11 INTs/146 carries, 1,000 yards, 9 TDs
Ricky Ortega, Coatesville (Jr. 6'0 190): 123-195, 2,313 yards, 35 TDs, 4 INTs/119 carries, 822 yards, 12 TDs
Cade Pribula, Central York (Sr. 6'1 200; Delaware): 144-227, 2,863 yards, 31 TDs, 9 INTs
Jared Jenkins, Freedom (Jr. 6’0 185): 147-254, 2,204 yards, 29 TDs, 4 INTs

Running Backs (5)
Nyzair Smith, Dallastown (Sr. 5'11 190): 257 carries, 1,985 yards, 24 TDs
Aaron Young, Coatesville (Sr. 5'11 190; Rutgers): 176 carries, 1,660 yards, 28 TDs
Shamar Edwards, North Penn (Sr. 5'11 185): 223 carries, 1,665 yards, 13 TDs
Adam Burkhart, Central Dauphin (Sr. 5'11 215): 203 carries, 1,283 yards, 21 TDs
Garvey Jonassaint, Downingtown East (Sr. 5'5 155): 247 carries, 1,716 yards, 18 TDs

Wide Receivers (5)
Dapree Bryant, Coatesville (Jr. 5'8 175): 52 catches, 1,008 yards, 15 TDs
Johnny Freeman, St. Joseph's Prep (Jr. 6'1 205): 51 catches, 848 yards, 11 TDs
Tommy Manos, Nazareth (Sr. 6'0 180): 90 catches, 1,201 yards, 7 TDs
Marvin Harrison Jr., St. Joseph's Prep (So. 6'3 175): 50 catches, 724 yards, 8 TDs
Taylor Wright-Rawls, Central York (So. 6’2 165): 40 catches, 1,022 yards, 11 TDs

Tight End (1)
Jackson Luneberg, Downingtown West (Jr. 6’6 195): 31 catches, 661 yards, 5 TDs

Offensive Line (5)
Elijah Boyd, North Allegheny (Sr. 6’4 260)
Ricky Santiago, Coatesville (Sr. 6'5 305; Towson)
Mike Katic, Pine-Richland (Sr. 6'3 280; Indiana)
Jake Walton, North Penn (Sr. 6’3 250)
Casey Stephenson, St. Joseph’s Prep (Jr. 6’2 295)

Offensive Athletes (2)
Marques Mason, St. Joseph's Prep (Sr. 5'8 165): 41 catches, 576 yards, 4 TDs/94 carries, 553 yards, 11 TDs/2 KR TDs
Damon Horton, Hazleton (Sr. 6’0 205): 196 carries, 1,466 yards, 24 TDs/20 catches, 341 yards, 2 TDs

Kicker (1)
Elijah Workinger, Red Lion (Sr. 6'5 250): 136 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 sack, FF/28 catches, 454 yards, 6 TDs/41-43 XP, 7 of 8 FG (long 49)

Defensive Line (4)
Trevor Harris, Liberty (Sr. 6'3, 235; Navy): 77 tackles, 18 TFL, 15 sacks, 3 FF, 3 blocked kicks
Dionte Nichols, Harrisburg (Jr. 6'2 230): 79 tackles, 22.5 TFL, 16.5 sacks, 3 FF, INT
Miguel Jackson, Pine-Richland (So. 6’1 230): 57 tackles, 15 TFL, 14 sacks, 6 FF
Cade Brennan, Garnet Valley (Sr. 6'4 235; Bucknell): 58 tackles, 7.5 sacks

Linebackers (7)
Tristan Wheeler, Freedom (Sr. 6'2 225; Richmond): 102 tackles, 3.5 sacks, FR, INT
Andre White, Harrisburg (Sr. 6'3 225; Texas A&M): 135 tackles, 12 TFL, 3 sacks, FF
Tyler King, Pine-Richland (Sr. 6'1 220; Navy): 98 tackles, 16 TFL, 7 sacks, 3 FF
Myles Talley, St. Joseph's Prep (Sr. 5'10 200): 74 tackles, 25 TFL, 9.5 sacks
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., St. Joseph's Prep (So. 6'0 200): 91 tackles, 16 TFL, 4 sacks, 3 FF
Shane Hartzell, Pennridge (So. 6’0 205): 176 tackles, 23 TFL, 4 sacks, 3 FF
Cade Hoke, North Allegheny (Sr. 6’0 220; BYU): 86 tackles, 14 TFL, 5 sacks

Defensive Backs (5)
Keaton Ellis, State College (Sr. 6'1 185; Penn State): 51 tackles, 4 INT, 2 TFL/50 catches, 888 yards, 15 TDs
Matt Mikulka, Manheim Township (Jr. 6’2 170): 37 tackles, 8 INT, FF
Donte Kent, Harrisburg (Jr. 5'11 170): 44 tackles, 6 INT/24 catches, 630 yards, 10 TDs
Jayvon Thrift, Norwin (Sr. 5’11 190; Youngstown State): 87 tackles, FF
Joey Porter Jr., North Allegheny (Sr. 6'2 190; Penn State): 22 tackles, 3 INT, FF

Defensive Athletes (2)
Jalen Stewart, Freedom (Jr. 6’1 215): 72 tackles, 14 TFL, 8 sacks, 2 INT/177 carries, 947 yards, 15 TDs
Oleh Manzyk, Neshaminy (Sr. 6’1 215; New Hampshire): 78 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 5 sacks, INT, FF/64 carries, 556 yards, 12 TDs

Jumbo Athletes (2)
Andrew Kristofic, Pine-Richland (Sr. 6'6 275; Notre Dame): 25 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 7 sacks, INT, FF
Kaden Moore, Freedom (Jr. 6’4 310)

 

[Stalker]

Rover, how about Keyshawn Jones for Chambersburg? He’s got to be on someone’s All whatever team. Smith for Dallastown played against far weaker comp in the York-Adams where defense is an afterthought and had a million carries. KJ was banging heads with State College, Central Dauphin, Cumberland Valley, Harrisburg and other MP-Commonwealth teams (non-conf Red Lion and Township) for almost 1600 yards with little talent around him, nothing like Burkhart had at CD or Jonassaint at Dt East. Plus East with Jonassaint also got far more carries….and didn't play the comp KJ faced in my view.

 

[RoverNation05]

Stalk - Jones is absolutely in the mix. I was flipping a coin between him and Jonassaint for that last spot at tailback. Jonassaint had a bigger year for a team that was a little better. What I would probably do is move Burkhart (he's a no-doubt All State guy) to one of the athlete spots (maybe on defense instead of Jalen Stewart from Freedom) if I was working Jones on to the roster.

I know that Smith doesn't play in the toughest conference in the state - but he still led 6A in rushing statewide. Aaron Young couldn't catch him even with an extra 5 playoff games. Same thing with Tommy Manos at wide receiver - Nazareth throws the ball 500 times a game and was a 5-5 team, but he still caught 90 balls for 1,200 yards - almost 30 catches more than the next highest guy and over 100 yards more than second place (in only 11 games). At some point the production is undeniable.

 

[Stalker]

Jones of CBurg is a fine HS back, only a jr. I've seen some of these guys and Burkhart was a load at Fb and Lb. He is a player, with a hard nosed tough attitude you like to see. Little smiling and goofing off. All business on the field, then a character off it, like a lot of guys with that demeanor. I think we don't give them enough credit for playing the entire game. And depending on the quality of your conference and competition, that can be demanding!
And absolutely on JJ from Freedom. Good call Rover and nice work getting stats and pending schools together.
I'm trying to put together a post season writeup on the teams with final PRs/Rankings, keeping it brief; maybe expand some on our local state champ SJP!
And how bout them Gators pounding overrated Michigan/big-10. That had half the family saying "come on....of course, Michigan?"....with another faction still pissed Georgia isn't there. GA-Clemson would have been special. Kentucky might be a load for PSU today. GO LIONS.

 

[RoverNation05]

The two-way running back/linebacker combo is about the toughest thing you can do in high school football. It's 60 straight minutes of high speed collisions. Burkhart was probably the best combo of those things in Pennsylvania this year.

I was kind of surprised Jenkins didn't make the All State team. As we've discussed before, that's an offense without many skill position weapons, but he's incredibly accurate and has a masterful command of their offense (the 29-4 TD/INT ratio is one of the big reasons they had the record they did). He's not big enough to be an FBS guy, but he's the type of kid who ends up at Lehigh, Lafayette, or Bucknell then has a great college career.

I've got a spreadsheet with the offensive stats from the year - I'll post the leaders this afternoon. The defensive stuff I found on MaxPreps or in newspaper recaps with a little googling. That's far harder to track. Ted Silary's site has an awesome full stat sheet for SJP this year - that was a big help.

Yeah, Florida waxed Michigan - who to be fair was playing without Rashan Gary, Devin Bush, and Karan Higdon. That's two of Mel Kiper's top 10 defenders and their 1,000 yard running back. Bowl games are always a crapshoot because there is a motivation factor to them you don't see the rest of the season. But nothing ever makes me sad about Michigan getting their ass kicked.