Here are a dozen top linebackers the WPIAL has produced -- from recently to a half-century ago:

• LaVAR ARRINGTON, NORTH HILLS: Was Parade national high school player of year in 1996. Won Butkus and Bednarik awards at Penn State in 1999, was No. 2 pick in NFL draft and made Pro Bowl three times.

• BILL GEORGE, WAYNESBURG: A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, George was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection. Played collegiately at Wake Forest.

• SEAN LEE, UPPER ST. CLAIR: Played safety in high school. Now a senior at Penn State and considered one of the top linebackers in Division I-A.

• MIKE LUCCI, AMBRIDGE: Played in the NFL from 1962-73 and made the Pro Bowl in 1971. Played in college at Pitt and Tennessee.

• SCOTT MCKILLOP, KISKI AREA: An All-American at Pitt last season who finished 10th on Pitt's all-time tackles list. Now plays for the San Francisco 49ers.

• RICH MILOT, MOON: Had a standout career at Penn State and then went on to play with the NFL's Washington Redskins from 1979-87.

• PAUL POSLUSZNY, HOPEWELL: Played on Hopewell PIAA championship team. Won Butkus and Bednarik awards at Penn State and now plays for the Buffalo Bills.

• MYRON POTTIOS, CHARLEROI: A star at Notre Dame, he went on to play in the NFL from 1961-73 with the Steelers and Washington Redskins. Was a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

• JOE SCHMIDT, BRENTWOOD: A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Schmidt played in the NFL from 1953-65. He won two NFL titles with the Detroit Lions and was an All-American at Pitt in 1952.

• BRANDON SHORT, MCKEESPORT: Led McKeesport to a PIAA championship in 1994, was an All-American at Penn State and then played in the NFL with the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers.

• JOHN SKORUPAN, BEAVER: An All-American at Penn State who played in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants from 1973-80.

• TOM TUMULTY, PENN HILLS: No. 4 among Pitt's all-time tackling leaders. Played a few years in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals in the late 1990s.

>-- By Mike White