Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 football
Dane Conwell, Senior, RB/LB, Upper St. Clair
An impact player on both sides of the football for the Class AAAA PIAA champion, Conwell makes big plays in big games. He finished with 1,579 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns - including five scores in the PIAA title game -- on 304 carries.
Aaron Williams, Senior, RB/LB, Penn Hills
With 1,189 yards and 12 touchdowns on 190 carries, Williams helped lead Penn Hills to its first WPIAL title game since 1995. Williams, a talented linebacker who has offers from Akron, Buffalo and Toledo, likely will play defense in college.
Dom DeCicco, Senior, QB/S, Thomas Jefferson
The Pitt recruit made the switch from WR to QB during his senior season to lead TJ to the PIAA semifinals. The three-year starter finished the season with 1,130 yards passing and 17 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,058 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Max Suter, RB, Senior, Greensburg Central Catholic
Syracuse recruit moved into eighth place on the all-time WPIAL rushing list and 30th in the state as he finished his career with 5,177 yards. Ran for 2,243 yards and 28 touchdowns and scored a total of 36 times, including returns, as he led the WPIAL in scoring.
Nick Sukay, WR, Senior, Greensburg Central Catholic
Big, strong receiver made 36 catches for 631 yards and six touchdowns. At safety, Penn State-bound Sukay grabbed two interceptions in the WPIAL championship before Greensburg Central fell, 24-14, to Jeannette.
Rob Gronkowski, Senior, TE/DE, Woodland Hills
Ranked the No. 4 tight end in the country by Rivals.com, Gronkowski had a better year on defense. The 6-foot-6, 232-pound transfer from Buffalo finished with 152 yards and four touchdowns on eight catches, but he anchored Woodland Hills' defensive line.
Lucas Nix, Junior, OL/DL, Thomas Jefferson
Nix is a three-year starter who anchored the offensive line and was a force on the D-line. A 6-foot-6, 280 pound-junior, Nix already has two WPIAL titles and a PIAA title to his name.
Chris Drager, Senior, DE/TE Thomas Jefferson
A two-way standout on the line, Drager was TJ's leading receiver with 26 catches for 508 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Virginia Tech recruit contributed to one of the WPIAL's stingiest defenses.
Matt Rodgers, Senior, QB/LB, Seton-La Salle
Two-year starter completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,565 yards and 20 touchdowns. Rodgers, an Akron recruit, plans to continue the tradition at Seton-La Salle of quarterbacks playing Division I college football. Rodgers will be the fourth in a row.
Derek Moye, Senior, WR/DB, Rochester
Moye lined up at receiver, slotback and running back, where he recorded 430 receiving yards and five touchdowns. The Division I-bound Moye rushed for 1,019 yards and 21 touchdowns to help Rochester to a WPIAL runner-up finish.
Kamryn Keys, Senior, QB/LB, McKeesport
Option quarterback didn't waste any time adjusting to the wing-T offense in his first year as a starter under center. Keys used his speed and athleticism to rush for 1,369 carries and 20 touchdowns on 178 carries.
Cameron Saddler, Junior, RB/DB, Gateway
Saddler, who runs a 4.36 40, averaged 42.7 yards per touchdown (21). The Division I prospect scored 21 touchdowns -- 12 rushing, two receiving, one defensive and six on special teams. He blocked nine field goals and is a solid defensive back.
Pat McShane, Senior, QB/DB, Upper St. Clair
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound McShane used his athleticism and field vision to make up for his lack of size. McShane passed for 1,378 yards and 13 touchdowns, but, more important, headed an almost flawless, effective offense. McShane also led the defense with eight interceptions.
Da'Von Moore, Senior, RB/LB, Brentwood
Moore finished among the top WPIAL players in scoring with 26 touchdowns. He recorded 686 yards receiving and 1,068 rushing. A stellar defensive player, Moore verbally committed to Akron.
Stefen Wisniewski, Senior, OL/DL, Central Catholic
The U.S. Army All-American anchored the Central Catholic offensive line that protected a unit that ranked 11th in the WPIAL. After receiving approximately 20 offers, Wisniewski made a verbal commitment to play at Penn State.
Chris Jacobson, Senior, OL/DL, Keystone Oaks
The U.S. Army All-American played on an offensive line that opened holes for John Fuhrer, the WPIAL's fourth-leading rusher. Jacobson made a verbal commitment to play football at Pitt.
Myles Caragein, Senior, TE/DL, Keystone Oaks
Caragein made 23 catches for 272 yards and is a standout at defensive end. The Pitt recruit, ranked as the No. 17 player in the state, likely will play DE in college.
Brandon Lindsey, Senior, FB/LB Aliquippa
With good size and speed, Lindsey is a physical outside linebacker who finished the season with 90 tackles, eight sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception. At fullback, the Pitt recruit rushed for 800 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Gino Gradkowski, Senior, OL/DL, Seton-La Salle
Gradkowski anchored an offensive line that offered protection for Matt Rodgers, who passed for more than 1,500 yards. Gradkowski made a verbal commitment to play at West Virginia, where he will line up at guard or center.
Shayne Hale, Junior, RB/LB, Gateway
With 105 tackles, 13 for a loss, five sacks, two fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles, Hale is one of the top junior linebackers in the country. He started the season with four scholarship offers and now holds 12, including offers from Michigan, Ohio State, Pitt and Tennessee.
Jacques Robinson, Senior, WR/DB, Oliver
With six touchdowns at receiver and 11 interceptions at defensive back, Robinson led Oliver to its first City League title in 64 years. The City League's best athlete, arguably, he also helped Oliver win its first playoff game and advance to the PIAA Class AAA quarterfinals.
Joe Cangilla, Senior, WR/DB, Hampton
Cangilla finished as the WPIAL's leading receiver with 62 catches, 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. Cangilla had a season-high 12 receptions for 252 yards against Keystone Oaks in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.
Brian Sweeney, Senior, QB, Blackhawk
After being plagued by injuries during his sophomore and junior years, Sweeney had a breakout senior season. He passed for 1,679 yards and 17 touchdowns to lead Blackhawk to the WPIAL Class AAA championship game.
Leroy George, Senior, QB/DB, Clairton
The mobile George provided a double threat in the backfield as he rushed for 1,309 yards and 25 touchdowns. He passed for 635 yards and seven touchdowns while leading Clairton to a WPIAL Class A title and the PIAA semifinal.
