Donte Valentino, California

Last week: Valentino, a quarterback/running back, rushed for 165 yards on 16 carries in a 33-6 victory Saturday against Geibel. The effort put him over 4,000 yards rushing for his career.

Check this out: Valentino, a 5-foot-7, 170-pound senior, is the 35th player in WPIAL history to rush for 4,000 yards, and the first quarterback to do it. He played running back as a freshman and sophomore, but has played more at quarterback the past two seasons. He also is a point guard on the school's basketball team that advanced to the WPIAL Class A title game last season.

What do you like better, running back or quarterback? I'm going to say quarterback, because when you play running back, the defense comes right at you. They know you're running the ball. When you're a quarterback, they have to react to what you do.

Is the 4,000 yards a big deal to you? Yeah, it was a big goal of mine. A lot of people don't do that.

What do California kids do for fun on a Saturday night? Hmmm. I would say probably hang out with your girlfriend, go to the movies or sometimes a party. There's not too much to do in California.

Ben Roethlisberger or Tom Brady? Tom Brady (laugh). I just think he's a better quarterback.

If you were GM of the Pirates, you would ... I don't know. I'd spend more money, that's for sure.

People might be surprised to know that ... [I] enjoy basketball more than football.

-- By Mike White

Ali Forbrich, Peters Township

Past week: Forbrich scored two goals Monday in a 13-0 victory against West Mifflin, three Saturday in an 8-0 rout of Ringgold and two a week ago in a 5-0 triumph against Norwin.

Check this out: A junior forward, Forbrich has a team-high 30 goals for the Indians (18-0, 13-0 Section 5), who are No. 1 in the Post-Gazette's WPIAL Class AAA rankings. They have outscored opponents, 140-6. Forbrich, who has 75 goals in three seasons, is on the high honor roll.

How do you respond to people who say soccer is boring? I don't think they understand the game. It is such a team sport. A lot goes into scoring a goal.

If you didn't play soccer, what would you do outside of class? I might have gone into gymnastics. I ran track as a freshman and plan to go back to that in the spring.

What TV character do you identify with? Rory Gilmore [Alexis Bledel] of the "Gilmore Girls." People say I look like her.

What is your ideal dinner? It's one my grandmother prepares: filet mignon, baked potato and green beans. And chocolate chip ice cream for dessert.

People might be surprised to know ... When I was younger, I did dance and was a really good gymnast.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? In a successful career. I'm looking into the medical field.

-- By Rick Shrum