Sound the trumpets.

Alert the masses.

For there is no bigger news you will read in the PG North sports section this year than this -- "The Dunnies" have been decided upon.

For those of you unfamiliar with this prestigious honor, think Heisman, Outland, Mackey and Biletnikoff all rolled into one; that is precisely how much acclaim comes with winning one of the much-sought Dunnie Awards.

This is the second year for "The Dunnies" which, in truth, are a rip-off of the old "Shrummies" that the Post-Gazette's Rick Shrum used to hand out.

But with Mr. Shrum taking his pen and reporter's notebook to the news side of the newspaper operation to become PG East editor, he left a void that needed to be filled.

Here we go:

Player of the Year: You have to look at a lot of factors here. But in using the main component that individual success leads to team success, the winner is Highlands quarterback/defensive back Jeff Sinclair. You just can't say enough about what this kid has done -- on both sides of the ball -- in leading the Golden Rams to an undefeated mark to this point.

Not only has Sinclair surpassed the 1,000 yard barrier both running and passing, but he has provided a vice-lock assurance in the back of the Highlands defense at his safety position. It is my contention that Highlands is somewhere around a .500 football team without Sinclair, thus, this "Dunnie" goes to him.

Coach of the Year: This "Dunnie" was hotly contested (as they all are; I mean, the acclaim is that huge) but in the end, Avonworth coach Jason Kekseo earns this honor.

Regardless of what occurs tomorrow night in the WPIAL Class A semifinals against Monaca, Kekseo has done a mighty job with this Antelopes squad, propelling them to 11-0 at this point. In just his fourth season as a head coach, Kekseo has constructed a turnaround with this program on par with any in the WPIAL.

One could make a very good argument for Highlands coach Sam Albert, Shady Side Academy coach Dave Havern and, considering the situation, Shaler Area coach Neil Gordon could find his way into the conversation, but looking at everything, Kekseo gets the nod.

Best Game: A tie.

And they happened on the same night, just a few miles from each other. On Sept. 12, in the third week of the regular season, Bethel Park beat visiting North Hills on the final play of the game, edging the Indians, 27-26.

Just up the road at Upper St. Clair, North Allegheny met a similar fate, losing on the final play of the game, 30-28, when the Panthers hit on a touchdown pass as all zeros showed on the clock.

Resurrection Award: This "Dunnie" goes to the team -- and coach -- most on the rise crawling back from some tough times. Taking a look at what coach Bryan Deal has done with the Fox Chapel program, it is impossible not to give him this award. The Foxes had long been a doormat in Class AAAA, but Deal has invigorated the program, helping the Foxes to a 4-6 record this year.

The season is one that very easily could have included a few more wins, as the Foxes lost a heartbreaker against Woodland Hills and put a huge scare into Penn Hills.

Considering where Fox Chapel had been and where they are now, Deal has done a tremendous job.

Golden Pick Award: This award goes to a young man with a penchant for picking off passes and Shady Side Academy's Brian Nickel is this year's recipient. While he's proved his worth for the undefeated Indians on offense as a running back, he has really opened some eyes with his exploits as a defensive back, intercepting 12 passes in the team's first 11 games.

By the Numbers Award: This "Dunnie" goes to the best statistician in the PG North area. While this award was also one that was a tight race, Seneca Valley's Sue Ennis takes home the trophy in this category. Her precision and attention on every snap during the game, then the speed with which she calls in the results to the paper after the game is something that makes her a true gem.

On top of that, she had a tough job this season, as the Raiders threw the football so much (and any statistician knows a throwing team is harder to chart than a running team).

North Allegheny statistics man Steve Heckmann also received heavy consideration, but Ennis walked home with the prize.

Study in Perseverance Award: Nate Butschle. The 19-month-old son of Seneca Valley coach Ron Butschle is locked in a battle with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a rare disease in which too many white blood cells grow in certain tissues and organs. Tiny Nate has been slugging it out against the disease and is showing as much courage as any big, hulking lineman in the Class AAAA Northern Six Conference showed all season.