Gateway's Dorian Bell played in a national all-star football game in Hawaii last week, along with other highly touted players from other states.

"You could see his play just separated himself from the other linebackers," said Gateway coach Terry Smith, who was an assistant in the game.

In other words, Honolulu was a lot like Western Pennsylvania for Bell. His play this season separated him from every player in the area.

Bell, a senior linebacker/running back, is the Post-Gazette Player of the Year. The award takes into consideration all players in the WPIAL and City League.

Smith had said before the season that Bell might be the best player to ever come through Gateway, which says a lot, considering the many Division I players who have come out of the school over many decades. But Smith didn't change his stance after the season.

"It's hard to say what he does best on the field because he does so many things better than most," Smith said. "I had said he would be the best at anything he does. Just look at what he did carrying the ball this year as a running back. Whatever position he could've played, he was going to be the best at it. If we moved him to receiver, I bet he'd have caught 15 touchdowns.

"On the high school level, he could've even played the interior line. We even played him some at fullback and tight end in his career and he was a devastating blocker."

Bell is known mostly as a linebacker and is ranked by scouting services as one of the top 10 in the country. He has been selected to play in the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio in a couple weeks.

The 6-foot-1 Bell is a hard hitter with excellent mobility and quickness. His weight has dropped from 220 pounds before the season to 210.

"He has a great knack to get to the ball and he plays so fast, too," Smith said.

Bell had 116 tackles this season and seven sacks. In two years, he had 236 tackles and 18 sacks.

"I had an OK year. I could've made a few more plays," said a modest Bell. "I actually think I had a better year on the offensive side. I was really fired up about the offense."

After playing mostly tight end and fullback in previous years, Bell saw considerable time at halfback this year -- and gained considerable yardage. He rushed for 885 yards on 83 attempts (10.7 average) and scored 17 touchdowns.

His play helped Gateway earn rankings in national polls for most of the season. The Gators were 12-1, losing in the WPIAL Class AAAA final to Bethel Park.

"I really haven't gotten over that yet," Bell said of the loss. "I'm speechless about it. We still should've been practicing and playing last week."

Bell, who in his younger years idolized NFL running back Warrick Dunn, is the son of former Turtle Creek High School player Joel Bell. Dorian is now starting to concentrate on playing after high school, having made a verbal commitment to Ohio State last spring. Bell was recruited to play linebacker, but said there is a possibility he might play strong safety, depending on his weight.

"My head is in my books right now. I just want to keep my grades up," Bell said. "That's my first goal. My second one is to start at Ohio State next year as a freshman. I want to start four years. Thirdly, I'd say my last goal is to make it to the NFL someday."

Starting as a freshman might seem like a lofty goal considering the talent Ohio State recruits every year. But Smith wouldn't be surprised if Bell pulls it off.

"I'm sure there are some studs waiting their turn to play there," Smith said. "But I think Dorian looks at Terrelle Pryor and his impact at Ohio State this year, and how he came in and made a difference on that team. He wants to be that same type of guy next year. Terrelle opened the door and said, 'It's possible.'"