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PrintTrue, a PIAA championship is the crown jewel that every high school team in the state is seeking. But in Western Pennsylvania, a WPIAL title is just as revered and four teams from the Post-Gazette West Edition circulation area made it to Heinz Field in 2008.
Aliquippa was the only one to leave the North Shore with a championship trophy, edging rival Beaver Falls, 8-6, in the Class AA final.
Blackhawk in Class AAA and Monaca in Class A also had an opportunity to play at the Steelers' home.
Beaver Falls and Aliquippa split the two games they played this season. If they had played 10 times, they each would have probably won five, that's how evenly matched they were. So, it is fitting that each school has three players on the PG West Edition Fabulous 22 this season.
Blackhawk, Montour, Sto-Rox and Center each placed two players on the West Fab 22.
Montour had the area's highest profile player in Notre Dame recruit E.J. Banks. Sto-Rox had the player who will be the top recruit from the class of 2010 in quarterback Paul Jones.
There is also a sophomore, Langley running back Joey Bell, and a freshman, Hopewell's Rushel Shell, on the West Fab 22. Shell made the largest splash, rushing for more than 1,000 yards, and has drawn comparison to another Hopewell graduate -- Heisman Trophy winner and former Dallas Cowboys star Tony Dorsett.
Fourteen schools are represented on the West team and players on the PG West Fab 22 were selected by the Post-Gazette's scholastic sports staff based on writers' observations, interviews with coaches, examination of statistics and balloting for all-conference teams. Players are considered "the best 22" regardless of position or a school's classification.
There are three repeat performers on the team -- E.J. Banks, Jones and Todd Thomas of Beaver Falls.
No coach of the year is selected for the PG West Fab 22, but if there had been Aliquippa's Mike Zmijanac would not have been a bad selection. He kept the Quips going after they dropped two consecutive games and their record fell to 2-2. They then won 10 consecutive games and secured the school's 13th WPIAL football title.
-- By Rich Emert
E.J. BANKS
Montour
DB/QB, 6-0, 185, Sr.
A two-year starter at quarterback, he rushed for 991 yards on 141 carries and completed 79 of 170 passes for 1,012 yards. Helped Spartans reach WPIAL Class AAA final in 2007. Banks was slowed toward the end of season with a hamstring injury. Has committed to Notre Dame where he will play in the secondary.
MILTON BANKS
Montour
WR/LB, 6-0, 190, Sr.
As was the case with his cousin, Milton Banks was a versatile athlete for the Spartans. Came on strong at linebacker the second half of the season. On offense, he caught 25 passes for 366 yards and carried the ball 21 times for another 153 and scored nine touchdowns. Had four interceptions on defense.
JOEY BELL
Langley
RB/LB, 5-9, 200, Soph.
One of the top players in the City League, he helped the Mustangs reach the City semifinals and the PIAA Class AA playoffs. Carried the football 162 times for 891 yards and scored eight touchdowns. A first-team All-City League selection at running back, he ran for 109 yards in loss to Brashear in City League semifinal.
ANDREW CARSWELL
Sto-Rox
WR, 6-4, 205, Jr.
A solid athlete, Carswell will be one of the area's top receivers next season with his combination of size and speed. He caught 40 passes for 597 yards (14.9 avg.) and scored six touchdowns. On defense, he had 52 tackles with 44 solo stops. He was named to the Class AA Century Conferences first team at wide receiver.
CODY COOK
Beaver Falls
RB, 5-9, 180, Jr.
He burst onto the scene as a sophomore when he had to fill in for an injured Todd Thomas and continued to impress this year. Carried the football 198 times for 1,652 yards and scored 23 touchdowns as the Tigers advanced to the WPIAL Class AA title game for second consecutive year. He's also an outstanding receiver.
DAMON COTTON
Center
WR/DB, 6-1, 210, Sr.
An outstanding athlete who recently scored 36 points in a basketball game, Cotton might have to choose between the two sports at the next level. One of the top receivers in the WPIAL, he hauled in 41 passes for 837 yards (20.4 avg.) as the Trojans qualified for the Class AA playoffs. He scored 13 touchdowns.
PRESTON DAWSON
Center
QB, 6-1, 175, Jr.
Dawson had an impressive season in Center's multiple offense. He completed 106 of 200 passes for 1,668 yards and 17 touchdowns with just six interceptions. Dawson also carried the ball 119 times for 366 yards and scored six touchdowns. He was selected as the first team quarterback in the Class AA Midwestern Athletic Conference.
JAKE DELMONICO
Blackhawk
WR/DB, 5-11, 185, Sr.
He did a little bit of everything for the Cougars and did everything well. Delmonico has committed to Akron where he will probably play defensive back. He caught 55 passes for 601 yards and ran the ball 33 times for another 199 yards. Delmonico scored 13 touchdowns, intercepted four passes and was the backup quarterback.
KENDALL DREHER
Beaver Falls
TE/LB, 6-1, 210, Sr.
A gifted athlete who sees plenty of action on the Tigers' top-ranked Class AA basketball team. Used mostly as a blocker on offense, he caught six passes for 173 yards and scored two touchdowns. Dreher, who was a two-year starter, was the Tigers leading tackler in the WPIAL final against Aliquippa with 16, including nine solo stops.
RYAN FALBO
Moon Area
QB/DB, 6-3, 190, Sr.
He was one of the few bright spots for the Tigers this season. A hard-nosed player, he was named to the Class AAA Parkway Conference first team as a defensive back. At quarterback, he completed 65 of 160 passes for 814 yards and three scores, and rushed 52 times for 220 yards and four touchdowns. Also a talented basketball player.
ZACK HAYWARD
Blackhawk
QB, 6-3, 175, Sr.
He has received some Division I college attention. Hayward guided the Cougars to the WPIAL Class AAA final, completing 148 of 236 passes for 1,980 yards and 25 touchdowns with just five interceptions. Although coach Joe Hamilton didn't like to see Hayward run with the ball, he gained 88 yards on 59 carries and scored twice.
JUANETZ HOLLINS
Aliquippa
OL/DL, 6-4, 265, Sr.
When he committed to Pitt before the season many fans were skeptical, but he had an outstanding season. Better on offense than defense, he opened holes for Aliquippa backs and was the guy the Quips ran behind when they needed a yard. He was named to the MAC first team as a defensive lineman and had four tackles in WPIAL final.
PAUL JONES
Sto-Rox
QB, 6-3, 215, Jr.
He will be one of the most sought after players in the state next season. Jones already has been offered scholarships by a number of Division I schools, including Pitt and Penn State. He completed 115 of 186 passes for 2,020 yards and 24 touchdowns, and has thrown for 3,870 yards in two years. He also rushed for 320 yards this season.
JAKE NARDONE
Beaver
RB, 5-9, 170, Sr.
He got his senior season off to a good start by rushing for 343 yards on 23 carries in the first game. Nardone was the WPIAL's leading rusher in the regular season with 1,964 yards on 262 carries and gained 2,371 yards in two years. He scored 28 touchdowns this year. Nardone was named to the MAC first team at running back along with Cody Cook.
TERRY PATRICK
Aliquippa
RB/DB, 6-0, 190, Sr.
He has received some Division I college interest and will play cornerback at the next level. Patrick has outstanding speed and strength for a player his size. He rushed for 1,003 yards on 144 carries and scored 16 touchdowns in helping Quips win WPIAL Class AA title. He was a first team MAC selection at defensive back.
CHAD PENNINGTON
Rochester
RB/DB, 5-9, 170, Sr.
A versatile athlete, he was used in a number of different ways by the Rams. Pennington carried the football 149 times for 906 yards and caught 10 passes for another 298 as Rochester advanced to the WPIAL Class A semifinals. On defense, he played in the secondary and intercepted four passes.
STANLEY PUGH
Aliquippa
OL/LB, 5-11, 250, Jr.
A big hitter on defense and tabbed as the school's next big-time college recruit. Aliquippa's run defense got stronger the better Pugh played and in the WPIAL final he had nine tackles, seven of them solo stops. He was also a starting guard and has outstanding quickness for a player his size and is expected to attract Division I college offers.
TONY REDA
Monaca
RB/QB/DB, 6-1, 185, Sr.
Arguably, he was the most valuable player on the Indians team this season. Reda started the season at running back, but shifted to quarterback after starter Brandon Gaydosh was injured. Reda rushed for 1,066 yards on 157 carries and completed 21 of 49 passes for 421 yards and four scores as the Indians reached the WPIAL Class A final.
JORDON ROUSSOS
Carlynton
OL/DL, 6-5, 250, Sr.
It has been a while since Division I college coaches have needed to visit Carlynton, but Roussos has attracted their attention. A two-way lineman, Roussos is projected as a defensive end or tackle at the next level. He paced the Cougars in tackles with 71 and had three sacks and an interception.
RUSHEL SHELL
Hopewell
RB/DB, 6-0, 210, Fresh.
Most freshmen aren't considered for scholastic all-star teams, but Shell wasn't like most freshmen. He rushed for 1,516 yards on 181 carries and scored 14 touchdowns for the Vikings. In the process, he had folks making comparisons between himself and Hopewell grad Tony Dorsett. He was selected to the Class AAA Parkway Conference first team.
SEAN STIFFEY
Western Beaver
RB, 5-10, 198, Sr.
After serving as a backup last season, Stiffey had an outstanding year for the Golden Beavers of coach Matt Grey, running for 1,071 yards on 129 carries (8.3 yards per carry) and scoring 12 touchdowns. Combined with Zack Cavalier to give Western Beaver solid one-two punch. Stiffey was also a solid defensive player.
TODD THOMAS
Beaver Falls
RB/DB, 6-3, 195, Sr.
Thomas has committed to Pitt where he will probably play wide receiver. An outstanding athlete who has started on the school's basketball team since his freshman year, Thomas rushed for 865 yards on 121 carries and caught 21 passes for 557 yards. He was a big hitter on defense and could play on that side of the ball in college.
