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Matt Bliss, Bethel Park (QB/DB): The first-year starter at quarterback picked up the Black Hawks offense and kept it rolling, completing 60% of his passes for 1,302 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also had 29 total tackles, seven passes defensed and four interceptions at cornerback his senior season.
Chad Bowman, Franklin Regional (RB):
Mike Caputo, West Allegheny (RB/DB): He was the best player on the WPIAL's Class AAA championship team, rushing for 2,389 yards and 34 touchdowns. Granted, he's not finished yet, as the Indians are in the PIAA playoffs.
Cullen Christian, Penn Hills (WR/DB)
Jesse Della Valle, Shaler (RB/WR/DB): You name it, this young man did it. Caught passes (33 for 729 yards), ran the ball (248 yards on 37 carries) and scored touchdowns (25). Better yet, he's an announcer for other athletic teams and reports for the school district's TV station. (Could we have the next Merrill Hoge on our hands?)
Miles Dieffenbach, Fox Chapel (OL): Don't let the babyface fool you. At 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, this young man is a big, strong load to move. He is one of the WPIAL's top lineman, and is also ranked the no. 6 center in the country by Scout.com. He has committed to Penn State.
Aaron Donald, Penn Hills (OL/DL): Calling him "good" is just as much as an understatement as calling him "big" (6'1", 270 lbs.). He was arguably the WPIAL's best defensive lineman. If you don't believe it, go back and watch the film of the Indians' playoff win over Upper St. Clair. They simply could not stop him. He will play for head coach Dave Wannstedt next year at Pitt.
Bre Ford, Bethel Park (RB/DB): In his first year as a starter at tailback, the junior carried the ball 217 times for 1,319 yards and 20 TD's. He also had 35 total tackles and two interceptions as a cornerback.
Jim Giansante, Thomas Jefferson (WR/DB): The three-time WPIAL champion and two-time state champion was the best overall receiver in western Pennsylvania, and possibly in the whole state. He caught 53 passes for 1,234 yards, the only receiver in Pennsylvania to hit the 1,000 receiving yard mark this season.
Richard Gray, Woodland Hills (DL): His nickname is "Bump," but it might as well have been "Bash." This athletic defensive end was a fierce pass rusher for the Wolverines, and his fumble recovery in the first quarter of the Class AAAA championship game led to their first points in a 10-0 win over Gateway.
Damion Jones-Moore, Central Catholic (RB): One of several sophomore studs in the WPIAL this season, this explosive running back hit the ground running with over 460 yards rushing and two touchdowns in his first two games of the season. He finished with over 1,000 yards, among the area's best rushers, and should remain there for the next two years.
Rob Kalkstein, Gateway (QB): He is the WPIAL's third all-time leading passer (6,491 yards) and the only Quad-A quarterback to surpass 6,000 yards. He threw for 2,256 yards and 26 touchdowns against only five interceptions in his senior season, leading the Gators to their third straight championship game.
Adam Lazenga, Bethel Park (OL/LB): His head coach, Jeff Matheny called him one of the best centers in the WPIAL. What Matheny didn't mention was how great of an inside linebacker he was: 76 tackles (35 solo, 10 for losses), three interceptions and two fumble recoveries prove just how dynamic a two-way player he really is.
Khaynin Mosley-Smith, Woodland Hills (OL/DL): Big, strong, fast, athletic. He did damage on the line both ways: opening holes for the Wolverines' running game, and stuffing opponents. Their strong defensive line play constantly put pressure on their opponents and was a key component in their WPIAL Class AAAA championship run. He's headed to Pitt next year.
Dayonne Nunley, Gateway (WR/DB): Not the biggest guy (5'8", 165 lbs.), but plays a big all-around game. Racked up 893 all-purpose yards and nine total touchdowns, and was second on his team with 78 tackles. He also had four interceptions and six passes defensed. He and teammate Orne Bey are headed to Miami University (OH) next year.
Tom Ricketts, North Allegheny (OL):
Darien Robinson, McKeesport (RB):
Rushel Shell, Hopewell (RB/DB): Arguably the WPIAL's top individual performer this season, the sophomore rushed for 2,740 yards and 35 touchdowns. He has 4,256 career rushing yards in his first two seasons, the most ever in WPIAL history.
Dom Timbers, Woodland Hills (RB): He was the driving force behind the Wolverines' run-heavy offense, rushing for 1,486 yards on 230 carries and scoring 26 touchdowns. He is on his way to Syracuse.
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