The Almanac announces its football all-stars
Amaan Bridgett
Jake Collins
Charlie Davis
Sean Davis
Lionel Deanes
Jake Dixon
Matt Fennell
Brandon Ford
Paris Ford
Paul Grattan
Hunter Hayes
Eddie Jenkins
Eric Kraus
Austin Liebro
Brian Milligan
Chris Pauley
Dom Pocci
Nick Ponikvar
Alex Smith
Dan Trimbur
Thomas Vissman
Jack Young photo by TSS Photography
Joe Rossi
South Fayette’s Hunter Hayes (No. 8) outruns DeWayne Murray (No. 3) after he recovered a Steel Valley fumble and raced 27 yards for a touchdown in the WPIAL Class AA semifinal football playoff game. Hayes rushed for 3,954 yards and 59 touchdowns in his career, which was capped by two WPIAL and PIAA titles.
Nick Ponikvar tiptoes along the sideline during championship action against Aliquippa. The senior ranked among the top receivers in the WPIAL.
Dan Trimbur handled the placekicking for South Fayette. Plus, the junior ranked among the top receivers in the district this fall.
Though the 2015 high school football campaign did not end in a championship for any of The Almanac squads, the season nonetheless featured record-breaking performances. South Fayette stretched its winning streak to the third-longest in state history and the Lions ended up competing for their third WPIAL title but lost a thriller to Aliquppa, 44-38. Eight additional clubs experienced post-season play.
Nearly two dozen athletes submitted standout efforts that warranted all-star recognition. Thanks to the help of the area coaches, the latest edition of The Almanac’s Premier Performers has been compiled for the recently completed football season. The athletes were selected based on a coaches’ survey, final statistics and games viewed by The Almanac sports’ staff. Now, let’s meet the all-stars:
No. 3 Amaan Bridgett
Bishop Canevin, DB/RB
This senior helped the Crusaders to runner-up honors in the Black Hills Conference, tied with Avonworth, behind champion North Catholic. The Crusaders finished 7-4 overall after losing to the Trojans in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class A playoffs.
As a safety, Bridgett racked up 53 tackles and picked off two passes. He led Canevin in rushing with 928 yards. He also had 203 yards receiving. Bridgett scored 15 touchdowns.
No. 5 Jake Collins
Chartiers Valley, QB, RB
This senior demonstrated a wealth of flexibility in the backfield for the Colts, who tied for fourth place in the Parkway Conference with a 4-4 record. CV finished 4-6 overall.
Behind center, Collins completed 85 of 180 attempts for 1,206 passing yards and 10 touchdowns. He rolled up 805 yards rushing on 147 carries. Collins scored seven times on the ground. He earned all-conference, honorable mention honors.
“We were a different team when he was on the field,” said CV skipper Niel Loebig.
No. 2 Charlie Davis
Bethel Park, DB/WR
This senior averaged 27.3-yard per catch and gained all-conference, first-team honors as a wide receiver. He pulled in 32 passes for 872 yards and 11 touchdowns. He rushed for two more scores and 77 yards. Plus, he returned a punt for a TD.
On defense, Davis picked off three passes and batted away five more. He made 32 tackles for the Blackhawks, who finished 7-4 overall after losing to Woodland Hills in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Quad-A playoffs.
“Charlie was a very explosive football player,” remarked BP field general Jeff Metheny. “On defense, he was lock-down corner. He played very well and he played hurt a lot.”
No. 50 Sean Davis
Bethel Park, OL/DL
A starter for more than two seasons, this 6-2, 245-pound lineman played both ways for the Hawks, who place third in the Southeastern Conference with a 5-2 record. He anchored an offensive line that paved the way for 2,400 yards rushing. Bethel Park averaged 32.7 points per game.
On defense, Davis recorded 50 tackles. The team captain registered nine tackles for losses and five sacks.
“Sean was an excellent two-way linemen. An excellent all-around player,” said BP head coach Jeff Metheny. “He’s strong, quick and smart.”
No. 30 Lionel Deanes
Seton-La Salle, RB
This sophomore exploded onto the scene and rambled for 1,291 yards on 126 carries in his first season at Seton-La Salle. He scored 16 touchdowns for the Rebels, who finished 6-2 in the Century Conference and 8-3 overall after falling to Aliquippa, 46-6, in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs.
“Lionel made our offense go,” said SLS head coach Damon Rosol. “He’s a diminutive but powerful running back that has a bright future ahead of him for us. We were able to put several of our wins away with his game-breaking runs”
No. 10 Jake Dixon
Bethel Park, TE/LB
This senior earned all-conference, first-team honors for his feats as a tight end for the Hawks, who posted a 7-4 overall record. He hauled in 32 passes for 533 yards. He averaged 16.7 yards per catch. Dixon also doubled as a linebacker on defense.
Of his team captain, head coach Jeff Metheny said, “Jake was a good pass rusher and he was hard to run against. He’s a very athletic athlete.”
Indeed, in addition to football, Dixon excels at basketball and volleyball. In fact, he was the WPIAL Player of the Year in volleyball. He earned a scholarship to Lewis University, which enters the 2016 volleyball season ranked No. 8 in the nation. The Flyers were NCAA Division I runners-up in 2015.
No. 75 Matt Fennell
Upper St. Clair, OG
This senior earned all-conference, first-team honors for his play on the offensive line for the Panthers, who finished 5-5 overall after falling to Central Catholic in the WPIAL Quad-A playoffs. The Vikings went on to win the PIAA championship. At guard, Fennell helped pave the way for an offense that rolled up more than 2,200 yards on the ground and averaged over 20 points per game.
No. 77 Brandon Ford
Upper St. Clair, DL/OL
This 6-6, 300-pound senior started on both sides of the line for the Panthers, who averaged 224 yards on the ground per game and recorded one shutout on defense. Named to the All-Conference second team, Ford is a University of Pittsburgh recruit.
“Brandon was a big, two-way lineman for us,” said USC head coach Jim Render.
No. 1 Paris Ford
Seton-La Salle, DB/WR
Recruited by all the major Division I programs, this junior is committed to the University of Pittsburgh. Ford excelled on both sides of the ball for the Rebels, who finished 8-3 overall after losing to WPIAL champion and PIAA runner-up Aliquippa in the quarterfinals of the playoffs.
As a strong safety and linebacker on a defense that allowed 19 points per game, Ford made 88 tackles. He added 24 for losses and forced three fumbles. Ford intercepted five passes and returned two for touchdowns.
Ford ranked among the top receivers in the WPIAL with 47 receptions for 818 yards and 13 touchdowns. Also on offense, he rushed 19 times for 205 yards and four scores. He returned one punt and one kickoff to the house. He totaled 21 touchdowns, five different ways.
“Paris is a dynamic talent and football player,” said SLS skipper Damon Rosol. “The amount of big plays he made for us in every phase of the game is astounding. Because of the national attention he garners, Paris has all the pressure in the world on him. Yet week after week, he delivered. He’s truly a special player and young man.”
No. 65 Paul Grattan
Mt. Lebanon, DL/OL
This senior dominated both sides of the line for the Blue Devils, who finished runner-up to Woodland Hills in the Southeastern Conference with a 6-1 slate. Lebo, which lost to the Wolverines, 21-17, posted a 9-2 overall record after falling to Pine-Richland, 42-13, in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Quad-A playoffs.
Grattan earned all-conference, first-team honors on defense. The 6-4, 280-pound lineman is a Villanova commit.
“He’s a great player,” said Lebo head coach Mike Melnyk. “Paul, along with Chaz Blango and Cam Haley were a triumvirate of excellence on our defensive line.”
No. 8 Hunter Hayes
South Fayette, LB/RB
This senior earned Century Conference MVP honors. He rushed for 1,381 yards and 21 touchdowns in helping the Lions to an undefeated conference record and a 12-1 overall mark. He finished his career with two WPIAL Class AA championships, two state titles and 3,954 rushing yards with 59 touchdowns.
On a defense that surrendered just 11.2 points per game, Hayes registered 47 tackles. He intercepted three passes, two of which her returned for touchdowns.
Hayes has more than a dozen offers to continue his football career in college and he maintains a 4.1 grade-point average. His offers include Columbia, Cornell, the Air Force Academy, Army, Penn and Bucknell. He plans to become a doctor.
No. 12 Eddie Jenkins
Mt. Lebanon, QB
A three-year starter at quarterback, this senior passed for 1,726 yards and 18 touchdowns despite missing 1.5 games. He earned all-conference, first team honors. A team captain, he led Lebo to a 9-2 record that included a runner-up showing in the Southeastern Conference.
“Eddie was the heart and soul of our team,” commented Lebo skipper Mike Melnyk.
Jenkins also plays a critical role on the basketball and baseball teams for Mt. Lebanon. He’s been a starter for the hoop team for two previous seasons and is the shortstop on the baseball team, which won a section title last spring.
No. 33 Eric Kraus
Mt. Lebanon, LB
This junior earned all-conference, first-team honors at linebacker. He led Mt. Lebanon in tackles. The Blue Devils finished runner-up to Woodland Hills in the Southeastern Conference and 9-2 overall after falling to the Wolverines in the WPIAL Quad-A playoffs.
“He was not the biggest guy but the heart of our defense,” said Lebo head coach Mike Melnyk.
No. 22 Austin Liebro
Bishop Canevin, LB/FB
A three-year starter on defense as well as offense, this senior proved to be the “heartbeat” of the Crusaders. “He was our defensive captain and play caller,” said Canevin head coach Darren Schoppe. Liebro led the Crusaders with 60 tackles. He returned an interception for a score. A fullback on offense, he rushed for two touchdowns. “Austin was the lead blocker for all three of our running backs. He rarely gets the recognition he deserves for being unselfish as a blocking back,” Schoppe added.
No. 32 Bryan Milligan
Canon-McMillan, RB
This junior broke several school records for rushing this season. On a record 233 carries, he gained 1,607 yards and racked up 15 touchdowns, both benchmarks. He also shattered the Big Mac mark for most rushing yards in one game with 322. Milligan added five receptions for 52 yards.
Milligan ranked sixth in the WPIAL and first in Quad-A among all rushers. In the Big Macs’ final four games, which included two wins, Milligan ran for 968 yards and nine touchdowns. He had 301 yards and three scores in a Week 8 win over Baldwin.
“Bryan had a breakout year. He had the type of year, with the help of his team, that nobody has had from this program in a long time,” said first-year head coach Mike Evans.
The 5-10, 185-pound tailback also contributed on defense. Playing multiple positions, he registered 32 tackles.
No. 73 Chris Pauley
Bethel Park, DL/OG
This senior anchored both sides of the line for the Hawks, who posted a 7-4 season.
Named to the all-conference, first-team on defense for the second season in a row, Pauley had 35 tackles, six for losses. He added a fumble recovery and a sack.
“Chris is very strong. A quick player,” said Bethel Park head coach Jeff Metheny. “He’s very athletic and a good puller on offense. Chris is just an excellent football player.
Pauley is pretty good on the mats and on the track. He was a PIAA qualifier in the field events. He is also a standout wrestler for the Hawks.
No. 40 Dom Pocci
Chartiers Valley, LB
This senior earned all-conference, first-team honors at inside linebacker. He recorded 73 solo and 24 assisted tackles. Plus, he contributed two sacks to the Colts’ defense.
“Dom was our leader on defense,” said CV head coach Niel Loebig. “He was a very physical player that played through all injuries.
No. 2 Nick Ponikvar
South Fayette, WR/DB
A two-year starter, Ponikvar helped the Lions become one of the top passing teams in the WPIAL. Even after winning back-to-back district and state titles, the Lions, with Ponikvar, continued to shine on the biggest stage.
The senior caught 36 passes for a team-high 635 yards and five touchdowns. His 65-yard score in the fourth quarter against Aliquippa in the WPIAL Class AA title game tied the score after the Lions had a 14-point deficit. Ponikvar had eight grabs for 184 yards in the final at Heinz Field.
A two-time all-star, he played defensive back on a unit that allowed only 145 points in 13 games. Ponikvar also returned punts and kickoffs for the Lions, who finished 12-1 overall.
No. 12 Alex Smith
Keystone Oaks, QB
This junior ranked among the top quarterbacks in the WPIAL. He completed 131 of 214 attemps for 2,027 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also rushed for 533 yards and 10 more scores.
“What a breakout year,” said KO skipper Greg Perry, who has coached some great quarterbacks, including Pittsburgh Steelers Bruce Gradkowski. “I can’t wait to see him grow into that senior year leader. Alex is just a tremendous athlete and he is going to be a great team leader. Alex is a hard worker that wants to be great.
No. 13 Dan Trimbur
South Fayette, WR/PK
Another junior that is expected to excel in 2016, Trimbur played a versatile role for the Lions. He produced plenty of points with his hands and his legs.
As a receiver, he hauled in 36 passes for 570 yards and 10 scores. He averaged 15.8 yards per catch. As a placekicker, he averaged 51.3 yards per kick-off and 30.3 yards per punt. He converted 63 of 67 extra points and connected on all four of his field goal attempts, including one against Aliquippa that gave the Lions the lead at halftime. Trimbur also played linebacker on a defense that allowed only 11.2 points per game.”
No. 22 Thomas Vissman
Upper St. Clair, DB/RB
During the regular season, this junior ranked as the top ground gainer among all Quad-A players. Vissman rolled up 1,409 yards on 217 carries. He scored a team-high 17 touchdowns. He also had 10 receptions for 95 yards.
On defense, the junior started at free safety for the Panthers, who finished 5-5 overall after losing to Central Catholic in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs. He ranked second on the team in tackles with 56. He also had seven tackles for losses. “He was our best player,” said USC head coach Jim Render. “He was never off the field as a defensive player.”
No. 3 Jack Young
Mt. Lebanon, WR
Named to the all-conference, first-team as a wide out, this junior pulled in 33 passes for 959 yards. He averaged just under 30 yards a reception. Young scored nine touchdowns.
“He was just dominant,” said Mt. Lebanon skipper Mike Melnyk of Young’s efforts and contributions to a 9-2 season.
Coach of the Year:
Joe Rossi, South Fayette
For the second year in a row, Joe Rossi claimed Almanac Coach of the Year acclaim. In leading the Lions to the Century Conference championship, he kept the team focused on their mission to advance to the WPIAL finals for the third straight season. The Lions kept their eye on their trip to Heinz Field while dealing with the attention of a winning streak that reached 44 games before ending with a 44-38 loss to Aliquippa in the Class AA championship game. The Quips used a razzle-dazzle play to unseat the Lions as two-time district and state champions. Rossi managed to lead the Lions to a 12-2 record. The winning streak he engineered ranked third-longest in the state and was among the nation’s longest as well.