The Pennsylvania Football News rang in 2015 with All-State accolades for 16 area high school football players.
The online publication unveiled its 2015 All-State squads Friday, choosing first and second teams and honorable mention selections in all four classes, plus Offensive Player, Defensive Player, Lineman and Coach of the Year.
Six area players earned first-team honors: Blue Mountain kicker Christian Puzzi in Class AAA, North Schuylkill wide receiver Tevin Murray and defensive lineman Nathan Gadinski in Class AA, and Marian defensive lineman Joe Damiano, Tri-Valley linebacker Anthony Snyder and Tri-Valley defensive back Jaden Buchanan in Class A.
Second-team picks included Pine Grove offensive lineman Scott Werner and North Schuylkill linebacker Major Jordan in Class AA, and Nativity wide receiver Jeff Yordy and Tri-Valley defensive lineman Hunter Herb in Class A.
Lehighton linebacker Wyatt Clements, North Schuylkill running back John Rupinski, Mount Carmel tight end Christian Kelley, North Schuylkill defensive lineman Paul Dean, Tamaqua linebacker Tyler Skripko and Williams Valley linebacker Albert Wolfgang received honorable mention honors in their respective classes.
The PFN teams were selected based on submissions from coaches, media and PFN staff.
Puzzi, Murray, Jordan, Yordy, Damiano, Herb, Snyder and Buchanan were also named to the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ All-State teams released Dec. 22-23.
A junior, Puzzi was 39-of-42 on extra-point attempts and 5-of-8 on field goals, with a long of 43 yards. He booted a 33-yard field goal and the game-winning 24-yarder in the Eagles’ victory over Fleetwood in the Eastern Conference Class AAA championship game. Puzzi averaged 51.7 yards on 61 kickoffs, with 10 touchbacks. Also a standout punter, Puzzi averaged 35.8 yards on 28 punts, with a long of 52.
Murray, a 6-foot-5, 192-pound junior, hauled in 40 passes for 795 yards and 14 touchdowns for the District 11 Class AA runner-up Spartans, catching at least one pass in all 12 games.
A 6-2, 260-pound senior, Gadinski was a dominating force on both sides of the ball for North Schuylkill. He was also named the Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association Dream Team Offensive Lineman of the Year and was the SCFCA North Offensive Lineman and Defensive Lineman of the Year.
A 6-foot, 270-pound senior, Damiano compiled 100 tackles (47 solo) for the District 11 Class A runner-up Colts.
Snyder, a 5-10, 180-pound senior, was among the state leaders with 152 tackles for the Eastern Conference Class A champion Bulldogs.
Buchanan was also The Republican-Herald All-Area, Tri-Valley League and Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association South Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-3, 175-pound junior led Pennsylvania and was second in the nation with 13 interceptions.
Pine-Richland quarterback Ben Narducci (Class AAAA), Archbishop Wood tailback Jarrett McClenton (AAA), South Fayette QB Brett Brumbaugh (AA) and South Williamsport running back Dominick Bragalone (A) were named Offensive Player of the Year in their respective classes.
St. Joseph’s Prep’s John Reid (AAAA), Central Valley’s Jordan Whitehead (AAA), Palmerton’s Tre Nelson (AA) and Bishop Guilfoyle’s Brandon Chadbourne (A) earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, while St. Joseph’s Prep’s Jon Daniel Runyan (AAAA), Archbishop Wood’s Ryan Bates (AAA), Dunmore’s Dan Drewes (AA) and Bishop Guilfoyle’s Andrew Berger (A) were named top linemen.
Coach of the Year honors went to Pine-Richland’s Eric Kasperowicz (AAAA), Somerset’s Bob Landis (AAA), South Fayette’s Joe Rossi (AA) and Bishop Guilfoyle’s Justin Wheeler (A).
Pennsylvania Football News
All-State Teams
CLASS A
Class A Offensive Player of the Year: Dominick Bragalone, South Williamsport
Class A Defensive Player of the Year: Brandon Chadbourne, Bishop Guilfoyle
Class A Lineman of the Year: Andrew Berger, Bishop Guilfoyle
Class A Coach of the Year: Justin Wheeler, Bishop Guilfoyle
First-Team Offense
QB: Ryan Williams, sr., Clairton
RB: Dominick Bragalone, sr., South Williamsport; Sam McCloskey, sr., Bishop Guilfoyle; Lamont Wade, soph., Clairton
WR: Michael Hope, sr., Camp Hill; Aaron Matthews, jr, Clairton; Nate Stewart, jr., Pius X
TE: Matt Gormley, sr., Bishop Guilfoyle
OL: Sam Buck, sr., South Williamsport; Alexander Burkhart, jr., Clarion; Joe Sadler, sr., Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic; Brandon Vocco, sr., Portage; Owen Wolf, sr., Bishop Guilfoyle
ATH: Tre Jordan, jr., Pius X
K: Alex Gallaher, sr., Camp Hill
First-Team Defense
DL: Andrew Berger, sr., Bishop Guilfoyle; Bryce Carter, jr., Steel-High; Joe Damiano, sr., Marian; Dante Paul, jr., Berlin-Brothersvalley; Corey Souryavong, sr., Old Forge
LB: James Lingenfelter, sr., Kane; D.J. Kitt, sr., Bishop Guilfoyle; Anthony Snyder, sr. Tri-Valley; Brandon Wasko, sr., Avonworth
DB: Jaden Buchanan, jr., Tri-Valley; Brandon Chadbourne, sr., Bishop Guilfoyle; Paul Dooley, sr., Springside Chestnut Hill; Bryce Zaparzynski, sr., North Penn (4)
P: Jason Ritchey, sr., Meyersdale
Second-Team Offense
QB: Michael Shuster, jr., Camp Hill
RB: Ian Corbett, sr., Clarion; Caleb Kephart, sr., Portage; Grant Syster, sr., Purchase Line
WR: Dylan Parsons, sr., Springside Chestnut Hill; Jarrett Johnson, sr., Eisenhower; Jeff Yordy, sr., Nativity
TE: Tyler Schonewolf, sr., South Williamsport
OL: Cody Nelson, sr., South Williamsport; Hunter Armstrong, sr., Lakeview; Anthony Greggo, sr., Pius X; Kyle Winters, jr., Delaware County Christian; Zach Barnes, sr., Neshannock
ATH: P.J. Fulmore, sr., Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic
K: Dalton Tucker, sr., Pius X
Second-Team Defense
DL: Ka’Dale Coles, sr., Avonworth; Trenton Creppage, sr., Bellwood-Antis; Hunter Herb, sr., Tri-Valley; Tyler Wiser, sr., Union (9); Owen Wolf, sr., Bishop Guilfoyle
LB: Tim Garlitz, sr., Meyersdale; John Peters, sr., South Williamsport; Greg Popatak, sr., Sharpsville; Zac Stafford, sr., Cambridge Springs
DB: Julian Batts, sr., Jeannette; Joey Gutowski, jr., Old Forge; Ben MacDonald, sr., Ridgway; Bill Williams, soph., Camp Hill
P: Mike Biddle, sr., Williamsburg
Honorable Mention
QB: Jason Dambach, sr., Riverside (7); Jake Dougherty, sr., Redbank Valley; Micheal Pietropola, sr., Wellsboro
RB: Nathan Block, sr., South Side Beaver; Braden Fochtman, jr., Berlin Brothersvalley; Eric Lucich, sr., West Middlesex; Eli Owens, sr., Neshannock; Daniel Taylor, sr., Tussey Mountain
WR: Jamal Hughley, jr., Avonworth; Cole Morris, jr., Union (9); Riley Thomas, sr., South Williamsport
TE: Jimmy Medure, sr., Neshannock; Dayne Smith, sr., Sharpsville
OL: Bobby Demofonte, jr., Sharpsville; Derrick Hill, sr., Beth-Center; Andrew Peterson, sr., Kane; Zach Savelli, sr., Pius X; Jake Wallace, sr., Greensburg Central Catholic
ATH: Hakeem Kinard, sr., York Catholic; Shaheim Moody-Williams, sr., Steel-High; Brandon Roda, sr., Iroquois
K: Michael Kushma, jr., Chartiers-Houston
DL: Max Gossard, jr., Portage; Will Hampton, sr., Clairton; Jack Karsten II, sr., Cameron County; Christian Miller, sr., Susquehanna
LB: Tyler DeArmitt, sr., Berlin Brothersvalley; Austin Myers, jr., Conemaugh Twp.; Malachi Newell, jr., Farrell; Brylee Shumaker, jr., Redbank Valley; Albert Wolfgang, sr. Williams Valley
DB: Matthew Boone, sr., South Williamsport; Louie Head, jr., Eisenhower; Bailey Mumau, jr., Penns Manor; Tyler Rolick, jr., Kane; Cooper Rosiak, sr., Lackawanna Trail; Eric Sherkel, jr., Moshannon Valley
P: Theron Binford, sr., Canton
CLASS AA
PFN Class AA Offensive Player of the Year: Brett Brumbaugh, South Fayette
PFN Class AA Defensive Player of the Year: Tre Nelson, Palmerton
PFN Class AA Lineman of the Year: Dan Drewes, Dunmore
PFN Coach of the Year: Joe Rossi, South Fayette
First-Team Offense
QB: Brett Brumbaugh, sr., South Fayette
RB: Keith Batkowski, jr., Montoursville; Hunter Hayes, jr., South Fayette; Kaezon Pugh, jr. Aliquippa
WR: Timmy Davis, sr., Central Cambria; Danzel McKinley-Lewis, sr., Seton-LaSalle; Tevin Murray, jr., North Schuylkill
TE: Nick Bowers, sr., Kittanning
OL: Dan Drewes, sr., Dunmore; Chet Karpyn, jr., Northwestern Lehigh; Connor McGovern, jr., Lake-Lehman; Ryan Podgorski, sr., South Park; Colten Raabe, sr., Slippery Rock
ATH: Tre Tipton, sr., Apollo-Ridge
K: Hunter Wirth, sr., Newport
First-Team Defense
DL: Karamo Dioubate, jr., Prep Charter; Tim Drewes, sr., Dunmore; Nate Gadinski, sr., North Schuylkill; Arrington Gipson, sr., Aliquippa; Colin Maluchnik, jr. Wyomissing
LB: Taylor Breininger, sr., Northwestern Lehigh; Michael DiFrancesco, sr., Neumann-Goretti; Elijah McCants, sr., Delaware Valley Charter; Tre Nelson, sr., Palmerton
DB: Donte Simmons, sr., Bristol; Issac Lutz, jr. Berks Catholic; Thomas Paolini, sr., Wyomissing; Andrew Pryts, sr., Hickory
P: Tyler Vanderpool, sr. Towanda
Second-Team Offense
QB: Tyler Perone, sr., Seton-LaSalle
RB: Nasir Bonner, sr., Delaware Valley Charter; Harry Hall, jr., Northwestern Lehigh; John Vaughn, sr., Boiling Springs
WR: Kyle Haines, sr., Western Wayne; Nick Ponikvar, jr., South Fayette; Cam Richardson, sr., Northwestern Lehigh
TE: Logan Sharp, sr., South Fayette
OL: Dalton Callihan, sr., Karns City; Trent Donlan, sr., Southern Columbia; Dan Harrison, jr., Loyalsock; Scott Werner, sr., Pine Grove; Jack Wertz, sr., Wyomissing
ATH: Kyle Datres, sr., Loyalsock
K: Sean Van Meter, sr., Chestnut Ridge
Second-Team Defense
DL: Austin Aikins, sr. Hickory; Reese Barger, sr., Karns City; Duane Boone sr., Tyrone; Tymir Oliver, jr., West Catholic; Saul Wilkins, sr., Wilkes-Barre GAR
LB: Major Jordan, soph., North Schuylkill; Logan McKeag, jr., Montoursville; Rick Mellick, sr., Seton-LaSalle; Elijah Parrish, soph., Ligonier Valley
DB: John Shantz, sr., Prep Charter; Nick Long, sr., Northwest Area; Drew Newcomb, sr., Lewisburg; J.J. Walker, sr., South Fayette
P: Jordan Wombacker, sr., Hickory
Honorable Mention
QB: Patrick Causa, sr., Berks Catholic; Jason Dambach, sr., Riverside (7); Andrew Tomko, jr., Sharon
RB: Colin Holmes, soph., Dunmore; Elijah Jackson, jr., Highlands; Dalton Klinger, jr., Newport; Khalil Roane, jr., Neumann-Goretti; John Rupinski, jr., North Schuylkill; Malik Wells sr., Washington
WR: Joe Donoughe, sr., Forest Hills; Paris Ford, soph., Seton-LaSalle; Dylan Hochbein, sr., Freeport
TE: Christian Kelley, sr., Mount Carmel; Austin Montgomery, jr., Bedford
OL: Dylan Brennan, sr., Troy; Connor Buttry, jr., Chestnut Ridge; Anthony Davidson, sr., South Fayette; Ben Johnson, sr., Philipsburg-Osceola; Steve McMynne, sr., Dunmore; Justin Weibly, sr., Boiling Springs
ATH: Aamir Brown, soph., Neumann-Goretti; Wyatt Entz, sr., Montoursville; Chantz Swartz, jr., Juniata
K: Max Reed, sr., Lewisburg; Nick Russo, sr., Montoursville
DL: Paul Dean, sr., North Schuylkill; Cameron Neal, jr., Slippery Rock; Adam Schecterly, sr., Northwest Area; Chris Trumbauer, sr., Northwestern Lehigh; Sean Welch, sr., Fairview
LB: Billy Barnes, sr., Southern Columbia; Eric Bodolus, jr., Berks Catholic; Lou Derloni, sr., Hickory; Zach Miller, sr., Greenville; Eli Sleeth, sr., Tyrone; Tyler Skripko, sr., Tamaqua
DB: Jackson Fitzgerald, sr., Shady Side Academy; B.J. Loner, sr., Mount Union; Ryan Markle, sr., Bermudian Springs; Noah Osman, sr., Chestnut Ridge; Trevor Salopek, sr., Mt. Pleasant; David Swen, sr., West Catholic
P: Mason Donaldson, sr., Salisbury
CLASS AAA
PFN Class AAA Offensive Player of the Year: Jarrett McClenton, Archbishop Wood
PFN Class AAA Defensive Player of the Year: Jordan Whitehead, Central Valley
PFN Class AAA Lineman of the Year: Ryan Bates, Archbishop Wood
PFN Class AAA Coach of the Year: Bob Landis, Somerset
First-Team Offense
QB: Nick Marsilio, sr., Bishop McDevitt (3)
RB: Austin Kemp, sr., Thomas Jefferson; Jarrett McClenton, sr., Archbishop Wood; Michael McDaniel, sr., Bethlehem Catholic
WR: D.J. Moore, sr., Imhotep Charter; Riley Stapleton, sr., Indiana; Kobay White, jr., Bishop McDevitt (3)
TE: Naseir Upshur, jr., Imhotep Charter
OL: Ryan Bates, sr., Archbishop Wood; Hayden Mahoney, sr., Malvern Prep; Zach Venesky, sr., Valley View; Jonah Jackson, sr., Penncrest; Chad Zunich, sr., Manheim Central
ATH: Phil Overton, sr., Red Land
K: Christian Puzzi, jr., Blue Mountain
First-Team Defense
DL: Ryan Buchholz, sr., Great Valley; Doug Costin, jr., Bishop Shanahan; Christian DiGalbo, sr., Bonner-Prendie; Bryce Mostoller, sr., Somerset; James Trucilla, sr., Cathedral Prep
LB: Jake Cooper, sr., Archbishop Wood; Trevor Morris, sr., Malvern Prep; Brett Zanotto, sr., Franklin Regional; Que’Shawn Jenkins sr., Bishop McDevitt
DB: Kareem Gibson, sr., Johnstown; John Horner, sr., Gateway; Brandon Stanback, sr., Bishop McDevitt (3); Jordan Whitehead, sr., Central Valley
P: Michael Lewis, sr., Palmyra
Second-Team Offense
QB: Hunter Merritt, jr., Conneaut
RB: Frank Aigeldinger, sr., Crestwood; Samir Bullock, sr., Archbishop Ryan; Andre Robinson, sr., Bishop McDevitt (3)
WR: Charlie Fessler, sr., Cathedral Prep; B.J. Powell, sr., Central Valley; Freddie Simmons, sr., Bethlehem Catholic
TE: Christian Lohin, sr., Archbishop Wood
OL: Jake Gutierrez, sr., Conneaut; Mike Italiani, sr. Bethlehem Catholic; Anthony Long, jr., Bishop McDevitt; Ryan Neher, sr., Archbishop Wood; Nike Yaramus, sr., Moon
ATH: Dan Ryan, sr., Scranton Prep
K: Spencer Harrington, sr., Clearfield
Second-Team Defense
DL: Bryce Charles, sr., Jersey Shore; Devin Hannan, sr., Belle Vernon; Donte Lonardo, sr., Bethlehem Catholic; Javon Oglesby-Rice, jr., Boys Latin; Myles Turner, sr., Bishop McDevitt (3)
LB: Chayse Dillon, sr., West Allegheny; Preston Johnson, sr., Central Valley; Adam Krauter, sr., Springfield Delco; Connor Maxwell, sr., Donegal
DB: Lance Blass, soph., Crestwood; Jake Heiple, sr., Somerset; Eric Marbury, sr., Pleasant Valley; Brody Smith, sr., Jersey Shore
P: John Steffen, sr., Wallenpaupack
Honorable Mention
QB: Collin Shank, jr., Lampeter-Strasburg; Nick Solfanelli, sr., Scranton Prep; Julian Spigner, jr., Bethlehem Catholic
RB: Alex Arcangeli, sr., Archbishop Wood; Tyler Emge, sr., Fleetwood; Levi Lorson, sr., Jersey Shore; D’Angelo Mitchell, sr., West Mifflin; Tyliek Raynor, sr., Imhotep Charter
WR: Nasir Adderly, sr., Great Valley; Jaquan Blair, sr., Susquehanna Twp.; Dustin Miller, sr., ELCO; Kahlil West, jr., Franklin; Mason Yost, sr., Northern Lebanon
TE: Henry Litwin, jr., Conneaut; Sean Orsini, sr., West Allegheny
OL: Kyle Pierce, soph., Berwick; Rodney Koch, sr., Crestwood; Tom Cordozo, sr., Archbishop Wood; Gabe Spurlock sr., Mars; Jordan Vicheck, sr., Montour; John Fry, sr., Cocalico; Tim Ziezula, sr., Cathedral Prep
ATH: Javon Batts, jr., Selinsgrove; Bryce Boyd, jr., Cathedral Prep; Keonte Lucas, soph., Milton Hershey
K: D.J. Opsatnik, soph., West Allegheny
DL: Matt Bobeck, sr., Crestwood; Devon Cobb, sr., Archbishop Wood; Patrick Finn, sr., Pottsgrove; Dom Loffredo, sr., Jersey Shore; Ryan Monk, sr., Dallas; Kyle Pointer, sr., Strong Vincent; Russell Seiss, sr., Thomas Jefferson; Luke Shiock, sr., Punxsutawney
LB: Wyatt Clements, jr. Lehighton; Armand Dellovade, sr., West Allgheny; Shaquille Jones, sr., Imhotep Charter; Nick Grabowski, sr., Hampton; Cody Smith, sr., Bishop Shanahan; Brock Stoudt, sr., Muhlenberg
DB: Zach Adams, sr., Selinsgrove; Malik Allison, jr., Central Tech; Tyler Carswell, jr., Montour; Diamir Copes, sr., Dobbins; Brody Smith, sr., Jersey Shore
P: A.J. Lenkaitis, sr., Wyoming Area
CLASS AAAA
PFN Class AAAA Offensive Player of the Year: Ben DiNucci, Pine-Richland
PFN Class AAAA Defensive Player of the Year: John Reid, St. Joseph’s Prep
PFN Class AAAA Lineman of the Year: Jon Daniel Runyan, St. Joseph’s Prep
PFN Class AAAA Coach of the Year: Eric Kasperowicz, Pine-Richland