HS FOOTBALL: Ryon, Evans, McPartland, Anders earn all-state selections

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Athletes who had memorable high school football seasons and careers were honored for their excellence as the Pennsylvania Football Writers rolled out all-state teams for three classifications on Tuesday.

Lackawanna Trail running back Isaac Ryon and offensive tackle Lucas Evans were selected to the Class 1A team, with Ryon being named the player of the year. Scranton Prep quarterback Will McPartland earned a spot on the Class 3A team as an athlete, and Abington Heights record-setting receiver Gavin Anders was chosen in Class 5A.

Berwick running back Ty’Meere Wilkerson and lineman Matt Gordner in Class 3A, and Pittston Area athlete Lucas LoPresto in Class 5A, were also selected to the all-state teams.

Writers who cover high school football in the state voted for the teams from a list of nominated players.

The teams for Class 6A, Class 4A and Class 2A will be announced Wednesday.

Lackawanna Trail’s Ryon had an unforgettable senior season, rushing for 2,876 yards and 49 touchdowns. He finished with 54 total touchdowns and 354 total points to establish LIAA records in all four categories.

Paving the way for his performance was a dominant offensive line. The best of that group was Evans, a four-year starter and two-time Class 1A all-state selection.

The 6-foot-3, 265-pounder declined in-season surgery on his knee as a junior. He underwent the procedure during the winter, and as a fully healthy senior, he was a powerful run blocker who overmatched his opponents.

Evans helped Lackawanna Trail win the Lackawanna Football Conference Division III and District 2 Class 1A championships. He was one of the driving forces for a running game that produced 4,539 yards rushing in 13 games.

In his career as a starter, Lackawanna Trail won four District 2 Class 1A championships and had a record of 43-10.

“You look at his junior year and what he went through; that sums up what Lucas Evans is as a competitor,” Lackawanna Trail coach Steve Jervis said. “He was always a hard worker and a very reliable four-year starter. He understood the blocking schemes. That was critical for us to be successful in the Wing-T. He also brought that extra level of toughness.

“He was a steady leader for us up front. He helped younger kids develop. He played with physicality and held himself to a very high standard.”

Like Evans, McPartland also conquered adversity to have an outstanding senior season.

In the 2024 PIAA Class 3A playoffs, the talented athlete suffered a torn ACL. Offseason surgery put this year on hold for three weeks. Once he returned to the lineup against Delaware Valley, he spearheaded a turnaround for Scranton Prep, which saw it recover from a 0-3 start to win the District 2 Class 3A championship.

With Scranton Prep trailing Delaware Valley, 31-7, in the third quarter, McPartland led a furious comeback that culminated in a 49-44 win. He finished with 180 yards rushing on 18 carries and five touchdowns and threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.

This season, McPartland, a converted running back, completed 91 of 149 passes with seven interceptions. He threw for 1,603 yards and 12 touchdowns and added 984 yards rushing on 140 attempts with 28 touchdowns.

The LFC Division I coaches chose him as the offensive player of the year.

In his career, the 6-1, 195-pound McPartland, who will continue his lacrosse career at NCAA Division I Fairfield, finished with 2,239 yards rushing and 51 touchdowns and threw for 1,758 yards and 14 touchdowns.

“To go through what he went through with the injury and surgery, he did the rehab and did a lot of things outside of that, so when he was cleared, he was ready to go,” Scranton Prep coach Terry Gallagher said. “He had seven touchdowns in his first game back. He dominated that game, and that changed our season.

“He is a unique kid. He is the type of kid who is never satisfied. Will is a once-in-a-lifetime kid to coach. We were fortunate to have him in our program. He was a quiet, mild-mannered, and humble kid who was an incredible teammate. He played a lot of football for us. I can’t say enough good things about him.”

At Abington Heights, Anders had a record-setting season and career as a wide receiver.

The 6-1, 185-pound senior hauled in 74 passes for 1,158 yards and 10 touchdowns to help the Comets reach the District 2 Class 5A championship game.

He tied the LFC record with 17 receptions against North Pocono, when he also had a season-high 237 yards. During the District 2 Class 5A playoffs, Anders had 19 receptions for 280 yards and four touchdowns.

A three-year starter, Anders, who will continue his athletic career in lacrosse at McDaniel College, is the all-time leader at Abington Heights with 143 receptions for 2,053 yards in his career.

“He is an extremely talented and gifted athlete,” Abington Heights coach Joe Repshis said. “Worked hard, prepared himself, and continued to improve through his four years in the program. He was a playmaker on both sides of the ball and on special teams. He was a great leader on and off the field for our program. He is more than deserving of the accolades he receives.

“This is a great recognition for Gavin; it is also a reflection of the success of the team and the program, and all of the hard work he and his teammates put in through the years.”

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