Franklin Regional sends a message...
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THE CHOPS
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Franklin Regional sends a message...
Dickerson, Franklin Regional stars led Class (AAA)
Associated Press:
(AP) — Franklin Regional overcame numerous key injuries and a very competitive section and district to become the first Westmoreland County team to win a P.I.A.A. Class (AAA) football championship.
Now, Franklin Regional is at the head of the all-state class, too.
The Panthers placed three players _running back Robby Armstrong, defensive lineman John Malecki and defensive back Brad Phillips — on The Associated Press Pennsylvania Class (AAA) all-state team selected by sports writers and broadcasters.
In addition, Franklin Regional's Greg Botta was chosen as the coach of the year.
Franklin Regional was the only school to produce a trio of first-team selections.
Three other schools had two first-team players. P.I.A.A. runner-up Pottsville, which had an outstanding defense, placed nose guard Cody Vidal and linebacker Andy Buziak while P.I.A.A. Western Regional finalist General McLane is represented by offensive lineman Rob Stoner and all-purpose back Drew Astorino.
Thomas Jefferson had two of the best linebackers in the state regardless of class, Nate Nix and Jason Kolodziej, and both were chosen.
Malecki, who has committed to play at Pitt, was a dominant force on both sides of the ball throughout the season, and showcased that talent against Pottsville in the state championship game. Malecki had 7 1/2 tackles and three sacks, and that was only in the first half.
Still, Botta had to shuffle his lineup almost weekly in the postseason to keep Franklin Regional on track. In the District #7 championship, Phillips, a Northwestern recruit at defensive back who also played quarterback, was injured. Botta turned to backup Lenny Gallo, a semi-experienced player who came on to lead the Panthers to four consecutive wins, including the District #7 (WPIAL) title victory over 2004 state titlist Thomas Jefferson.
Phillips returned to play in the P.I.A.A. championship game and had an interception.
Likewise, Armstrong, who shattered two bones in his foot as a junior, came back this year to rush for more than 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, only to leave the state championship game after three carries for 43 yards. Still, Botta cobbled together an offense that built a 20-0 halftime lead and held off Pottsville down the stretch to win 23-13.
Joining Armstrong at running back are West Allegheny senior Dorin Dickerson, a Pitt recruit and the Class (AAA) player of the year, and Lehighton's Robbie Frey, a junior who rushed for a school-record 2,272 yards and 21 touchdowns. Dickerson rushed for 1,429 yards and caught 22 passes for 423 yards, and even played a bit at quarterback.
Dickerson is considered one of the most versatile high school players in the country. He led West Allegheny, the alma mater of Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko, to a 10-2 record while scoring "36" touchdowns — the most in massive District #7.
The first-team quarterback is also from Pittsburgh, Desmond Brentley of Perry Traditional Academy. Brentley, a 6-3, 228-pound senior, is the first Pittsburgh City League quarterback to pass for more than 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons — something not even former West Virginia quarterback star Major Harris could do.
Nate Byham, another Pitt recruit, is the tight end, catching 41 passes for 661 yards and eight touchdowns for Franklin Area. He caught 86 passes the past two seasons and is listed by one recruiting service as the top tight end prospect in the nation.
The wide receivers are Manheim Central's Graham Zug (1,001 yards receiving) and Gettysburg's Terrill Barnes (1,226 yards), both of whom had 15 touchdown catches among their 64 receptions.
Astorino did a little bit of everything for General McLane, playing quarterback, running back, slot, kick returner and punter. He returned a kickoff 97 yards, a state playoff record, for a touchdown against Franklin Regional.
Stoner is joined on the offensive line by Pitt recruit Scott Corson of Johnstown, Lou Falzone of Wyoming Area, Kenny Orlando of Conrad Weiser and Chris Waldron of Allentown Central Catholic.
Ambridge's Craig Bunney, also an outstanding soccer player, repeated as the first-team kicker.
Malecki topped a good group of defensive linemen that included Vidal and DiPippa and Penn State recruit Jared Odrick of Lebanon.
Nix and Kolodziej were joined at linebacker by Buziak and Palmyra's Derek Fackler, who had more than 100 tackles while leading his team to its best record (7-3) in nearly three decades.
Phillips was joined by Strong Vincent's Gary Williams, Ringgold's Robert Heller and Muhlenberg's Brandon Fox at first-team defensive back. Exeter's Matt Bertolet was named the first-team punter and Hampton's Steve Paskorz was chosen as an all-purpose player after being a second team running back last season. His team beat Franklin Regional during the season.
Among the second team players are Hopewell sophomore defensive back David Posluszny, the brother of Penn State star linebacker Paul Posluszny.
"THE CHOPS".
Associated Press:
(AP) — Franklin Regional overcame numerous key injuries and a very competitive section and district to become the first Westmoreland County team to win a P.I.A.A. Class (AAA) football championship.
Now, Franklin Regional is at the head of the all-state class, too.
The Panthers placed three players _running back Robby Armstrong, defensive lineman John Malecki and defensive back Brad Phillips — on The Associated Press Pennsylvania Class (AAA) all-state team selected by sports writers and broadcasters.
In addition, Franklin Regional's Greg Botta was chosen as the coach of the year.
Franklin Regional was the only school to produce a trio of first-team selections.
Three other schools had two first-team players. P.I.A.A. runner-up Pottsville, which had an outstanding defense, placed nose guard Cody Vidal and linebacker Andy Buziak while P.I.A.A. Western Regional finalist General McLane is represented by offensive lineman Rob Stoner and all-purpose back Drew Astorino.
Thomas Jefferson had two of the best linebackers in the state regardless of class, Nate Nix and Jason Kolodziej, and both were chosen.
Malecki, who has committed to play at Pitt, was a dominant force on both sides of the ball throughout the season, and showcased that talent against Pottsville in the state championship game. Malecki had 7 1/2 tackles and three sacks, and that was only in the first half.
Still, Botta had to shuffle his lineup almost weekly in the postseason to keep Franklin Regional on track. In the District #7 championship, Phillips, a Northwestern recruit at defensive back who also played quarterback, was injured. Botta turned to backup Lenny Gallo, a semi-experienced player who came on to lead the Panthers to four consecutive wins, including the District #7 (WPIAL) title victory over 2004 state titlist Thomas Jefferson.
Phillips returned to play in the P.I.A.A. championship game and had an interception.
Likewise, Armstrong, who shattered two bones in his foot as a junior, came back this year to rush for more than 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, only to leave the state championship game after three carries for 43 yards. Still, Botta cobbled together an offense that built a 20-0 halftime lead and held off Pottsville down the stretch to win 23-13.
Joining Armstrong at running back are West Allegheny senior Dorin Dickerson, a Pitt recruit and the Class (AAA) player of the year, and Lehighton's Robbie Frey, a junior who rushed for a school-record 2,272 yards and 21 touchdowns. Dickerson rushed for 1,429 yards and caught 22 passes for 423 yards, and even played a bit at quarterback.
Dickerson is considered one of the most versatile high school players in the country. He led West Allegheny, the alma mater of Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko, to a 10-2 record while scoring "36" touchdowns — the most in massive District #7.
The first-team quarterback is also from Pittsburgh, Desmond Brentley of Perry Traditional Academy. Brentley, a 6-3, 228-pound senior, is the first Pittsburgh City League quarterback to pass for more than 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons — something not even former West Virginia quarterback star Major Harris could do.
Nate Byham, another Pitt recruit, is the tight end, catching 41 passes for 661 yards and eight touchdowns for Franklin Area. He caught 86 passes the past two seasons and is listed by one recruiting service as the top tight end prospect in the nation.
The wide receivers are Manheim Central's Graham Zug (1,001 yards receiving) and Gettysburg's Terrill Barnes (1,226 yards), both of whom had 15 touchdown catches among their 64 receptions.
Astorino did a little bit of everything for General McLane, playing quarterback, running back, slot, kick returner and punter. He returned a kickoff 97 yards, a state playoff record, for a touchdown against Franklin Regional.
Stoner is joined on the offensive line by Pitt recruit Scott Corson of Johnstown, Lou Falzone of Wyoming Area, Kenny Orlando of Conrad Weiser and Chris Waldron of Allentown Central Catholic.
Ambridge's Craig Bunney, also an outstanding soccer player, repeated as the first-team kicker.
Malecki topped a good group of defensive linemen that included Vidal and DiPippa and Penn State recruit Jared Odrick of Lebanon.
Nix and Kolodziej were joined at linebacker by Buziak and Palmyra's Derek Fackler, who had more than 100 tackles while leading his team to its best record (7-3) in nearly three decades.
Phillips was joined by Strong Vincent's Gary Williams, Ringgold's Robert Heller and Muhlenberg's Brandon Fox at first-team defensive back. Exeter's Matt Bertolet was named the first-team punter and Hampton's Steve Paskorz was chosen as an all-purpose player after being a second team running back last season. His team beat Franklin Regional during the season.
Among the second team players are Hopewell sophomore defensive back David Posluszny, the brother of Penn State star linebacker Paul Posluszny.
"THE CHOPS".