 
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
              
|
Thursday, November 25, 1999 By the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
This is the 19th Fabulous 22, which is made up of the top players in WPIAL and City League football. A number of these players will go on to successful college careers.
Only three years ago, the Fabulous 22 included a handful of players who had impacts at Division I-A colleges this season. They were: North Hills' LaVar Arrington (Penn State), North Allegheny's Mike McMahon (Rutgers), Woodland Hills' Madei Williams (Syracuse), Peabody's Kevan Barlow (Pitt) and Franklin Regional's Mark Ponko (Pitt).
Some of the former Fabulous 22 members playing in the NFL are Aliquippa's Ty Law (New England), Allderdice's Curtis Martin (New York Jets), Steel Valley's Charlie Batch (Detroit), Freeport's Jeff Christy (Minnesota) and Aliquippa's Sean Gilbert (Carolina).
This year's Fabulous 22 has the most non-seniors of any other year. Seven seniors and one sophomore are on the team. It is picked by the Post-Gazette scholastic sports staff with the help of coaches, colleges coaches and scouting services.
Mike Vernillo
Fort Cherry
Senior RB-DB
5-11, 195
Vernillo finished his career as the most prolific runner in WPIAL history
. He set the WPIAL rushing record in the sixth week of the season and finished his career with 7,646 yards on 927 carries. He scored 102 career touchdowns. His career yardage total is 17th-best all-time in the country, just behind David Overstreet, Steve Tate and Billy Sims. This season, Vernillo rushed for 2,055 yards on 215 carries and scored 29 touchdowns in helping Fort Cherry to the WPIAL Class A semifinals. He also played defensive back for the Rangers. He has made an oral commitment to West Virginia.
Bernard Lay
Aliquippa
Junior QB-DB
6-2, 175
Was Aliquippa's leading receiver last year, then was moved to quarterback this season.
He turned into a master of the big play. He set a school record with 19 touchdown passes and averaged 31.7 yards on those passes. For the season, he completed 76 of 161 passes for 1,463 yards (19.3 average). He is an excellent scrambler and runner and scored six touchdowns. He helped the Quips go 11-1 and win the Class AA Midwestern Conference championship. He excelled at cornerback, too, and some Division I schools are interested in him for that position. Is an excellent basketball player, averaging 18 points last season.
Cecil Howard
McKeesport
Senior QB
6-3, 180
McKeesport has made it to Saturday's WPIAL Class AAAA championship game, and Howard has unquestionably been the driving force in the Tigers' run.
In three playoff games, he has rushed for 766 yards. He is one of the best running quarterbacks in recent WPIAL history.
With good speed and balance, he runs the option to perfection and has gained 1,869 yards on 202 carries this season.
He has scored 20 touchdowns.
Howard has a strong arm, but doesn't get many chances to show it. Has attempted only 40 passes and completed 14, and nine have gone for touchdowns.
Nick Marmo
New Castle
Senior OT-DT
6-6, 309
Marmo had a big reputation before the season and did nothing to tarnish it.
"I really can't recall anybody with his size playing so well," said North Allegheny Coach Jim Rankin. Seton-LaSalle Coach Lou Cerro said, "He's the real deal." Scouting services rank Marmo among the top 20 offensive linemen in the country. "The thing that always separated Nick apart is that he's always been big, but he's also very athletic," said New Castle Coach Gary Schooley. In July, Marmo made an oral commitment to Penn State, choosing Nittany Lions over Ohio State, Michigan and Pitt. Marmo was a Fabulous 22 pick last year.
Niel Loebig
South Fayette
Senior QB
6-3, 205
Three-year starter who finished career 367 of 661 for 5,553 yards. Threw 65 touchdown passes in three years. This year, was 145 of 226 for 2,297 yards and 25 TDs. A few Division I schools interested.
Sean McCune
South Side Beaver
Senior QB-DB
6-2, 180
Was receiver as freshman and sophomore. Heads into WPIAL Class A final with 828 yards rushing on 123 attempts. Has completed 56 of 91 for 981 yards. Outstanding on defense also with four interceptions.
Shawntae Spencer
Woodland Hills
Senior QB-DB
6-2, 165
Excellent defensive back who was recently offered scholarship by Pitt. Good scrambler and runner at quarterback. Has completed 17 of 40 passes for 33 yards for WPIAL Class AAAA finalist.
Kyle Schmitt
Derry
Senior OT-DL
6-5, 275
Excellent lineman who recently made an oral commitment to Maryland, choosing the Terrapins over West Virginia, Pitt and N.C. State. Will play offense in college. All-conference three years in a row.
Lanfer Simpson
Waynesburg
Junior FB-LB
6-1, 235
A punishing runner and excellent linebacker for WPIAL Class AA finalist. Has rushed for 1,352 yards on 176 carries and scored 17 TDs. Has 2,431 yards in two seasons. Division I prosect for next year.
Rafael Smith
Woodland Hills
Senior WR-DB
6-1, 175
Big-play specialist for WPIAL Class AAAA finalist. Leads team in receptions with 19 for 340 yards. Has scored five touchdowns. Excellent on defense and punt returns. Has a few Division I college offers.
Tyler Palko
West Allegheny
Sophomore QB-DB
6-2, 200
A rising star with a big future. Started as a freshman. This year, has completed 61 of 115 for 1,049 yards and 14 TDs. Has rushed for 287 yards. Also a standout on defense with seven INTs.
Jason Russell
Woodland Hills
Senior WR-DB
6-3, 195
An excellent defensive back who helps make Woodland Hills' secondary one of the best in WPIAL. Boston College, Maryland and a few other Division I schools have offered. Pitt also is very interested.
Mitch Fedorko
West Allegheny
Senior OL-DL
6-1, 270
A starter since his freshman year. Not tall, but a dominating force for No. 1 defense in the state. Has nine sacks and 20 tackles for losses. Has helped team to WPIAL Class AAA final.
B.J. Evangelista
Franklin Regional
Senior FB-OL-LB
6-2, 260
Played fullback, but when Panthers needed help on the OLine, Evangelista moved to tackle. Also a standout on defense. Has made oral commitment to Penn State. Unsure of college position.
Marcus Furman
Connellsville
Junior RB-DB
5-9, 165
Led WPIAL in regular-season rushing and scoring. Finished with 2,037 yards on 196 attempts (10.4 average) and scored 30 TDs. Had 1,541 yards in a six-game stretch. Has 3,160 yards in two seasons.
Melvin Kirby
Penn Hills
Senior RB
5-10, 190
Had more than 2,000 yards rushing in two seasons. Rushed for 1,601 yards on 240 carries this year and scored 20 touchdowns for 8-2 Penn Hills. Had two 200-yard games.
Scott McClintock
Belle Vernon
Junior FB-LB
6-3, 220
Punishing blocker on offense and a hard hitter on defense for WPIAL Class AAA finalist. Leads team in tackles and has rushed for 582 yards on 80 carries and scored 10 TDs. Division I prospect for next season.
Justin Geisinger
Mt. Lebanon
Senior OT-DL
6-4, 280
One of best offensive linemen in WPIAL. Helped lead way for Mt. Lebanon's strong running game. Has made oral commitment to Vanderbilt. West Virginia also offered. Has 4.0 grade average.
Tyler Reed
Thomas Jefferson
Junior OT-DT
6-5, 290
Considered best junior prospect in WPIAL. Already has scholarship offers from Pitt and Michigan State. Best position is offense. Moves very well. Helped team to WPIAL Class AAA semifinals.
Kinnan Herriott
McKeesport
Senior RB-DB
5-11, 175
Herriott has excelled, despite playing with a knee injury. Hard hitter on defense. Has scholarship offers from Boston College, Maryland and Rutgers, among others. Will play defense in college.
Nick Kalcevic
Belle Vernon
Junior RB-DB
5-11, 190
Started at only DB last year. This year, has 1,985 yards on 165 carries and 26 TDs for WPIAL Class AAA finalist. Needs 51 yards to break Jason Murray's school single-season rushing record.
Todd Szramowski
North Hills
Senior QB
6-0, 185
One of WPIAL's biggest surprises. Did not play QB as a junior. This year, had more than 2,000 yards offense for 9-1 team. Completed 103-189 for 1,663 yards, 14 TDs. Team's leading rusher with 532 yards on 146 carries.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
