An exciting year of Western Pennsylvania football is nearing an end, but before Friday's WPIAL championship games, it's important to recognize those who were most outstanding this year.

So, I'm handing out awards for some of the top performers from the PG South area . If you disagree with me, send me an e-mail at msanserino@post-gazette.com and let me know.

Without any further ado ...

MVP: Christian Brumbaugh, quarterback, South Fayette.

It was hard not to give this award to Seton-LaSalle quarterback Anthony Rizza, seeing as he had better stats than Brumbaugh. And, Rizza did not have as strong of a running game to back him up.

But it's difficult to award a most valuable player honor to a guy on a team that did not make the playoffs. Take Rizza away from Seton-LaSalle and the Rebels finish the year the same way they did with him -- out of the playoffs.

Take Brumbaugh away from South Fayette (10-1) and the Lions likely don't go undefeated during the regular season or possibly don't even make the playoffs.

Brumbaugh was nothing short of prolific this year, completing 153 of 241 passes for 2,183 yards, 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He led South Fayette to a Century Conference championship, an undefeated regular-season record and a No. 1 seed in the WPIAL Class AA playoffs.

And in his only head-to-head meeting with Rizza, Brumbaugh's Lions won by a touchdown.

South Fayette lost to Aliquippa in the second round of the playoffs.

Perhaps the most mind-boggling thing about Brumbaugh is his age. Only a junior, he's poised to do even better next year.

Other contenders in addition to Rizza, Bethel Park's Bre Ford.

Offensive Player of the Year: Anthony Rizza, quarterback, Seton-LaSalle.

Brumbaugh might have been the most valuable player but no player was as dominant as Rizza.

A senior, Rizza led the Rebels and the WPIAL with 1,654 regular-season passing yards. And he led the Rebels with 537 yards rushing -- 210 more than his closest teammate. Rizza threw 11 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. He also scored nine rushing touchdowns -- four more than any teammate.

Four different players had more than 250 yards receiving, and two had more than 400 yards receiving.

The Rebels finished the season 4-5, missing out on the playoffs.

Other contenders: Matt McCann, Keystone Oaks and Brumbaugh.

Defensive Player of the Year: Adam Lazenga, linebacker, Bethel Park.

A two-sport star, Lazenga anchored a Bethel Park defensive unit that mowed down the Class AAAA Great Southern Conference. Lazenga was a first-team all-conference selection last year and is a shoo-in this year.

One of his highlights this year came against Upper St. Clair. With Bethel clinging to a two-point lead, Upper St. Clair lined up for a conversion that would have tied the score late in the fourth quarter.

Lazenga blitzed Panthers quarterback Alex Park, forcing him to throw an interception that sealed the game for Bethel Park.

Lazenga is also one of the best wrestlers in the area.

Other contenders: Mike Hull, Canon-McMillan linebacker.

Newcomer of the Year: Sam Johnston, quarterback, Thomas Jefferson.

Although not a newcomer to high school football, Johnston, a senior, did not play for the varsity last season and entered this year as TJ's third-string quarterback.

But after impressing coach Bill Cherpak in preseason camp, Johnston earned the starting spot behind center.

He didn't disappoint.

Johnston led the Jaguars to a Class AAA Big Seven Conference title, an undefeated regular-season record and a trip to the WPIAL playoff semifinals.

He completed 89 of 161 passes in 12 games for 2,029 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

TJ lost to West Allegheny in the semifinals, but Johnston's gutsy performance one day after the death of his father was perhaps the most inspiring story of the season.

Other contender: Matt Bliss, Bethel Park quarterback.

Coach of the Year: Jeff Metheny, Bethel Park

After winning the 2008 WPIAL Class AAAA championship, Metheny said goodbye to running back Lyle Marsh, quarterback Eric Olson and wide receiver John Schademan -- all graduating seniors.

Few expected a depleted Bethel Park squad to make much noise in Class AAAA, but Metheny molded running back Ford and quarterback Bliss into stars.

Bethel Park won back-to-back conference titles for the first time in school history and was four points away from a second consecutive trip to the WPIAL title game.

Other contender: Mike Bosnic, Washington.

Mike White's "High School Sports Edition" videos are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.