H.S. Football: Lackawanna Conference lands four all-state players
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Dec. 24—The Wyoming Valley Conference didn't have any players selected to the Pennsylvania Football Writers' All-State Teams on Wednesday, but District 2 wasn't shut out on the selections.
The Class 2A, 4A and 6A teams were released Wednesday with the Lackawanna Conference earning four honors. District 2 Class 4A champion North Pocono had three players selected. Lakeland, which had a bounce-back season, had one player picked to Class 2A.
Here's a look at the four players selected.
—North Pocono junior Cole West was selected as a defensive back, although he also contributed heavily on offense. West had 88 tackles and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 631 yards and nine TDs, at times taking direct snaps, and caught 27 passes for 496 yards and four touchdowns.
—North Pocono senior linebacker Evan Wolff totalled 125 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. He also contributed on offense as a tight end, finishing with 11 catches for 199 yards and three touchdowns.
—North Pocono senior offensive lineman Cole Zimmerman helped the Trojans rush for nearly 4,000 yards this season and finish with a school record 13 victories.
—After a couple down years, Lakeland regained its prior form and won the District 2 Class 2A championship. Senior quarterback David Naniewicz played a big role. Naniewicz, who was selected all-state as an offensive athlete, threw for 1,743 yards and 17 touchdowns. He led the Chiefs in rushing with 938 yards and 14 TDs.
Players of the Year
The three Players of the Year announced Wednesday had a common threat — playing in PIAA state championship games.
—Farrell senior running back Juelz Johnson was chosen as the best player in Class 2A. Johnson, a Nebraska recruit, rushed 218 times for 2,228 yards and 34 touchdowns. He also had over 400 receiving yards and four touchdowns in helping Farrell advance to the state championship game.
—Southern Lehigh senior running back Sean Steckert received the top honor in Class 4A. A returning all-state selection, Steckert rushed for 3,211 yards and 45 touchdowns — both school records — on 386 carries. He had 300 yards in the state title game victory against Twin Valley.
Steckert finished his career as Southern Lehigh's all-time leader in rushing yards, rushing TDs and total TDs.
—La Salle College senior quarterback Gavin Sidwar was chosen as the top player in Class 6A. Sidwar connected on 72% of his passes for 3,400 yards and 40 touchdowns. He threw just six interceptions and none over the final nine games.
Sidwar, who will continue his football career at Missouri, led La Salle College to the Class 6A state championship.
CLASS 2A ALL-STATE TEAM
Player of the Year: Juelz Johnson, Farrell
Coach of the Year: Jim Roth, Southern Columbia
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Wyatt Brosious, Bloomsburg, Sr.; Dante Carr, Minersville, Sr.; Yeboa Cobbold, Lansdale Catholic, Sr.; Aaron Pegues, Farrell, Jr.; Jacob Regan, Richland, So.; Brady Shomper, Williams Valley, Sr.
Running Backs
Brayden Andrews, Southern Columbia, Sr.; Vinnie Feliciano, Mercyhurst Prep, Jr.; Brendan Gilliland, Troy, Sr.; Juelz Johnson, Farrell, Sr.; Colton Reber, Schuylkill Haven, Jr.; Jerome Ross III, Steelton-Highspire, Sr.
Wide Receivers
Jamere Christian, Richland, Jr.; Paiten LaPoint, Minersville, Sr.; Arnold Mugerwa, Richland, Jr.
Tight End
Jack Katulis, Bloomsburg, Sr.
Offensive Line
Connor Bogdanski, Apollo-Ridge, Sr.; Greg Fulmer, Southern Columbia, Sr.; Micah Pesesky, Troy, Jr.; Sean Slaughenhaupt, Karns City, Sr.; Chase Williams, Schuylkill Have, Sr.
Athletes
David Naniewicz, Lakeland, Sr.; Cohen Zechman, Warrior Run, Sr.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Rhashaud Dunbar, Farrell, Sr.; Bryce Lewis, Cambria Heights, Jr.; John Quinton, Southern Columbia, Sr.; Terrance Smith, Lansdale Catholic, So.; Chase Williams, Southern Columbia, Jr.
Linebackers
Omario Boatwright, Farrell, Jr.; Niko Castillo, Schuylkill Haven, Sr.; Deyontay Gillespie, Farrell, Fr.; Angel Luciano, Steelton-Highspire, Sr.; Chase Marley, Columbia, So.; Talon Piatt, Southern Columbia, Sr.
Defensive Backs
Bentley Bainey, McCort-Carroll, Jr.; Da'Ron Barksdale, Steel Valley, Sr.; Dorean Cain, Farrell, Jr.; Bryson Durst, North Star, Sr.
Athletes
Teegan Carroll, Halifax, Sr.; Jadon King-Vincent, Farrell, Jr.; Grayson Mahla, Richland, Jr.
Kicking Specialist
Connor Anstadt, Hughesville, Jr.
CLASS 4A ALL-STATE TEAM
Player of the Year: Sean Steckert, Southern Lehigh
Coach of the Year: Phil Sams, Southern Lehigh
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Marquis Council Jr., Aliquippa, Sr.; Torin Evans, Susquehanna Township, Sr.; Colton Sams, Southern Lehigh, Jr.; Jonah Williamson, Trinity, Sr.
Running Backs
Tyler Eber, Thomas Jefferson, Sr.; Drew Engle, Twin Valley, Sr.; Amahj Gowans, Cardinal O'Hara, Sr.; Armand Hill, West Mifflin, Jr.; Kemon Spell, McKeesport, Jr.; Sean Steckert, Southern Lehigh, Sr.
Wide Receivers
Gabe Hein, Mars, Sr.; Thomas Pollock, Shikellamy, Jr.; Nickayus Zenon, Middletown, Sr.
Offensive Line
Sean Franklin, Mars, Sr.; Carter Giberson, Southern Lehigh, Sr.; Yendor Mack, Susquehanna Township, Sr.; Greyson Miller, Twin Valley, Sr.; Tymir Phillips, Meadville, Sr.; Athlete Zakem Clinton, Shamokin, Sr.; Cole Zimmerman, North Pocono, Sr.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Izak Glover, Shamokin, Sr.; Tristan Laing, Cardinal O'Hara, Sr.; Noah Lucarelli, Oil City, Sr.; Josh Nengite, Susquehanna Township, Sr.; Justice Starks, Aliquippa, Sr.; Luke Thompson, Jersey Shore, Sr.
Linebackers
Dariuz Lightner, Southern Lehigh, Sr.; Lucas Myers, Twin Valley, Jr.; Ryan Rementer, Twin Valley, Sr.; Bo Sechrist, Jersey Shore, Sr.; Blake Stevens, Oil City, Jr.; Evan Wolff, North Pocono, Sr.
Defensive Backs
QaLil Goode, Aliquipp, Sr.; Justice Hardy, Wyomissing, Sr.; Carson Watkins, Jersey Shore, Sr.; Cole West, North Pocono, Jr.
Athletes
Ben Grundy, Twin Valley, Sr.; Logan Steele, Shamokin, Jr.; Colin Steinhart, Shamokin, Jr.
Kicking Specialist
Peter Fiorello, Lampeter-Strasburg, Sr.
CLASS 6A ALL-STATE TEAM
Player of the Year: Gavin Sidwar, La Salle College HS
Coach of the Year: Brett Gordon, La Salle College HS
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Antonio Fontanez, Liberty, Sr.; Brooklyn Nace, Central York, Sr.; Cole Ordway, Easton, Sr.; Gavin Sidwar, La Salle College, Sr.
Running Backs
Shavane Anderson, York, Sr.; Mehki Graham, Owen J. Roberts, Jr.; D'Antae Sheffey, State College, Sr.; Marquez Wimberly, Nazareth, Sr.
Wide Receivers
Elias Coke, Harrisburg, Sr.; Jett Harrison, St. Joseph's Prep, So; Owen Johnson, La Salle College, So.; Joey O'Brien, La Salle College, Sr.; Brendyn Smith, Central York, Sr.
Tight End
Michael Glover, Wilson, Jr.
Offensive Line
Kevin Brown, Harrisburg, Sr.; James Halter, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Jr.; Max Hiller, Coatesville, Jr.; Jimmy Kalis, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Jr.; Grayson McKeogh, La Salle College, Sr.
Athletes
Daryus Dixon, Manheim Township, Sr.;
TJ Lawrence, Parkland, Jr.;
Liam Taylor, Haverford, Sr.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Ashton Blatt, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Sr.; Alex Haskell, St. Joseph's Prep, Sr.; Lincoln Hoke, North Allegheny, Sr.; Isaac John Lewis, Harrisburg, Jr.; Abraham Sesay, Downingtown East, Jr.
Linebackers
Noah Ewell, Harrisburg, Sr.; Colsen Gatten, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Sr.; Sean Kilpatrick, Easton, Sr.; JP Oates, La Salle College, Sr.; Roman Thompson, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Jr.; Terry Wiggins, Coatesville, Sr.; Logan Wuckovich, Altoona, Sr.
Defensive Backs
Masiia Acrey, St. Joseph's Prep, Jr.; Jaiden Carpenter, Wilson, Sr.; Sean McPeek, Easton, Jr.;
Kaleb Woseley, Imhotep Charter, So.
Athletes
Jamir Duncan, Abraham Lincoln, Sr.; Jaiyon Lewis, Harrisburg , Sr.
Kicking Specialist
Antonio DiFatta, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Jr.
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