CODY WILSON

SCHOOL: Yough.

WHO IS HE? One of the top running backs in WPIAL football.

PAST WEEK: Wilson carried 11 times for 236 yards and four touchdowns Friday as Yough hammered Burgettstown, 48-0. Wilson gained 309 yards the previous game against Washington.

SEASON: A 6-foot-1, 202-pound senior, Wilson has gained 1,305 yards on 132 carries, caught seven passes for 140 yards and scored 20 touchdowns.

"And there are three games where he didn't play in the second half," Cougars coach Jim Wehner said.

Wilson also starts at linebacker for the Cougars (7-1, 6-1).

CAREER: Wilson, a two-way starter for three seasons, has 2,868 yards rushing and 40 touchdowns.

GOAL-ORIENTED: A year ago, Wilson became the first 1,000-yard rusher at Yough, finishing with 1,102. He aspires to greater things.

"I want to be the first 2,000-yard back at our school," Wilson said. "But as long as we're winning, everything is fine."

OTHER SPORTS: Football is one of three sports in which Wilson distinguishes himself. He also competes in basketball and track. Though only 6-1, he plays forward on the court.

FUTURE: A quality student. Wilson plans to play college football and major in mechanical engineering. He has attracted interest from some Division I-AA programs, such as Villanova, Columbia, William & Mary and Hofstra.

-- By Rick Shrum

CORI STARK

SCHOOL: Belle Vernon.

WHO IS SHE? A 5-foot-4 sophomore who has a penchant for finding the back of the net in Belle Vernon girls' soccer games.

HEAD OF THE PACK: Stark finished the regular season as the leading goal scorer in the WPIAL with 45.

A FIRST: Stark scored a goal in Belle Vernon's 3-0 victory Tuesday against Hempfield in the first round of the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs. It was the first playoff victory in school history. Last year, the Leopards won a section title for the first time.

"Winning a playoff game was big," said Belle Vernon coach Paul Sasko. "We had a nice season, but if we would've lost, it would've almost felt like the season was for nothing. So winning a playoff game was nice."

SCORING SENSATION: Stark missed the first half of her freshman season because of an ankle injury. When she returned, she showed her scoring ability with 17 goals in 10 games.

"She's a finisher," Stasko said. "When you couple her talent with her work ethic, that's why she's so good."

HELP FROM THE BOYS: Stark played on boys' teams in younger ages. In fact, she still plays with boys in a league outside of the high school season.

"It's kind of recreational, but there are a bunch of cup players on the team, and we play other cup players," Stark said. "Playing against boys really helps me. It makes me play a lot quicker, skill-wise and speed-wise."

-- By Mike White