Two PA teams in High School Football America National Top 25

by Jeff Fisher
Editor-in-Chief
High School Football America
Follow @HSFBamerica

Pennsylvania now has two teams in the High School Football America Top 25.

St. Joseph's Prep, on the strength of Saturday's 24-16 win over LaSalle, enters the poll at #24 this week.  An estimated crowd of 8,000 watched as the Hawks handed LaSalle, ranked #1 in the state at gametime, its first loss of the season.

Meanwhile, out west, North Allegheny moved-up two spots to #18 after a 28-0 win over Pittsburgh Central Catholic.

Click here to view the entire Top 25.

Pennsylvania High School Football Rankings - Week 3

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

LaSalle new #1 in AAAA
Courtesy of PAHelmetProject.com

You can take the boy out of Pennsylvania, but not Pennsylvania out of the boy.

Yes, it's been more than a decade since I live back in my hometown of the Lehigh Valley, but every day I make sure I check various websites from around the state to make sure I don't lose touch with the PA high school football scene.

I highly recommend they my readers check-out EasternPAFootball.com and WesternPAFootball.net, plus you can't go wrong with the high school sports sections from The Citizens Voice. The Express-Times, The Morning Call, The Patriot-News and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

It was quite a Week 2 last weekend with the top-ranked teams and defending state champs in AAAA and AAA losing.

In AAAA, LaSalle College takes over the top spot in the latest rankings after Central Dauphin saw its 15-game win streak ended by Bishop McDevitt, the new #2 in AAA.  Erie Cathedral Prep is the new #1 in AAA.

Central Dauphin falls to #5 in AAAA, while Archbishop Wood, which lost in OT to Archbishop Carroll 40-38 falls to #4 in AAA.

There we no changes in AA and A.

Here are the latest Patriot-News Rankings:

AAAA
1. LaSalle College (2-0), LW: #2
2. Gateway (2-0), LW: #3
3. North Allegheny (2-0), LW: #4
4. Upper St. Clair (2-0), LW: #5
5. Central Dauphin (1-1), LW: #1
6. North Penn (1-1), LW: #6
7. Easton (2-0), LW: #7
8. Downingtown East (2-0), LW: #9
9. McDowell (1-1), LW: #10
10. St. Joseph's Prep (2-0), LW: NR

AAA
1. Erie Cathedral Prep, (2-0), LW: #2
2. Bishop McDevitt (2-0), LW: #4
3. Archbishop Wood (1-1), LW: #1
4. Montour (2-0), LW: #6
5. Central Valley (1-1), LW: #3
6. Cardinal O'Hara (2-0), LW: #5
7. Lancaster Catholic (2-0), LW: #7
8. Berwick (2-0), LW: #8
9. West Allegheny (2-0), LW: #9
10. Pottsgrove (2-0), LW: #10

AA
1. Aliquippa (2-0), LW: #1
2. Jeannette (2-0), LW: #2
3. Wyomissing (2-0), LW: #3
4. Hickory (2-0), LW: #4
5. Mount Carmel (2-0), LW: #5
6. Seton-LaSalle (2-0), LW: #6
7. Grove City (2-0), LW: #7
8. Pen Argyl (2-0), LW: #8
9. South Fayette (2-0), LW: #9
10. Imhotep Charter (2-0), LW: #10

A
1. Clariton (2-0), LW: #1
2. Southern Columbia (2-0), LW: #2
3. Dunmore (2-0), LW: #3
4. Rochester (2-0), LW: #4
5. Sharpsville (2-0), LW: #5
6. Bishop Canevin (2-0), LW: #6
7. Old Forge (2-0), LW: #7
8. Bellwood-Antis (2-0), LW: #8
9. Monessen (2-0), LW: #9
10. Line Mountain (2-0), LW: #10

PIAA vs. WPIAL: Transfers

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Allowing student-athletes to transfer easily for the purpose of sports is something that I've NEVER supported.  It was always quaint thought to me that public high school teams were mostly made-up of players that grew-up together playing in the same community feeder programs.

I also realize that in today's high school sports world, certain inner-city public school football programs are struggling for reasons aside from their rosters being picked clean by private schools or bigger suburban public schools. Quite honestly, if I had a son playing for a struggling program and he had the grades and the talent to possibly get a college scholarship, I might consider moving to a private school.

The good news is I don't have that situation, but today I read a story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by Sports Writer Mike White that opened my eyes.  

The story entitled "PIAA foils WPIAL transfer rulings" talks about how the state's governing body (PIAA) has overturned 30 of the last 38 WPIAL rulings against transfers.  That's right, the WPIAL, which is apart of the PIAA, denied transfers for athletic reasons and the state overturned that ruling.

To me, it seems that these two organization need to be on the same page when it comes to transfers. 

I applaud the WPIAL for policing its own, as it appears they have in this article.  

Rules are rules and they should be the same for everyone, especially when we're talking about two organizations in the same state that should be working together.

Click here to read Mike White's story.

Lehigh/Monroe/Carbon Wins McDonald's All-Star Classic

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

While most all-star high school football games result in lackluster offensive performances due to rust from lack of practice time, Pen Argyl quarterback Conor Gum didn't subscribe to that theory.

Gum completed 9-of-14 passes Thursday night for 145 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Lehigh/Monroe/Carbon all-stars to a 48-19 rout of the Northampton all-stars in the annual McDonald's Lehigh Valley All-Star Classic.

Click here to read a game summary from The Express-Times.

Ohio Pushes Win Streak to Four over PA in Big 33

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

The Pennsylvania stars blew a 14-point fourth quarter lead Saturday night and then lost 24-21 to Ohio in overtime in the annual Big 33 Football Classic in Hershey.

Ohio pushed its win streak to four straight over the Keystone Staters with four interceptions in the fourth quarter and overtime.

The Buckeye State claimed the victory when Nana Kyeremeth (Thomas Worthington HS) intercepted a Skyler Mornhiweg (St. Joseph's Prep) pass in the first overtime.

Click here to read a game story from the Centre Daily Times.

George Curry Returns to Berwick

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Who says you can't ever go home again?

Pennsylvania's all-time winningest head football coach George Curry is returning to Berwick.

Curry, who led the Bulldogs to six state titles and three mythical national championships, before retiring after the 2005 season was hired Monday night to replace Gary Campbell, who replaced Curry in 2006.  Campbell is expected to be named the new head football coach at Wahconah Regional in Massachusetts later this week.

Curry, who owns a lifetime record of 413-93-5, did spend three seasons leading Wyoming Valley West after leaving Berwick.  Curry's record at WVW was 26-8.

Click here to read more about the rehiring of Curry from the Citizens Voice.

Campbell May Be Leaving Berwick

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

The 17th winningest high school football program in America may be making a change at the top, two months before the start of the 2012 season.

The Citizens Voice is reporting that Berwick's Gary Campbell is considering resigning to take-over the Wahconah Regional High School football program in Dalton, Massachusetts.

Campbell has led the Bulldogs to a 46-25 record in six seasons as head coach after taking over for the legendary head coach George Curry, Pennsylvania's winningest head coach.

According to the Citizens Voice, Wahconah's school board will hold a meeting on Thursday, at which time it's expected to vote on Campbell becoming its athletic director and head football coach.  Berwick's school board will meet Monday and could decide to open-up the Bulldogs' job sooner.

Berwick enters the 2012 season with an all-time record of 747-317-43.

South Wins Tri-County All-Star High School Football Game

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

The South All-Stars continued their recent dominance over the North All-Stars Saturday night at the Tri-County All-Star Game.

The South won for the sixth times in the last seven games 30-23 behind a late fourth quarter touchdown run by quarterback Jordan Groff of Lampeter-Strasburg.  Groff was subbing for Jonathan Hulyo of McCaskey, who was injured in the fourth quarter.

According to EasternPAFootball.com, Hulyo, who will be attending Lebanon Valley College, had amassed 360-yards in total offense at the time of his injury.

The South now leads the all-time series 6-5.

West Wins PSFCA All-Star Game

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Maryland-bound QB Perry Hills of Pittsburgh Central Catholic was nearly perfect in leading the West All-Stars to a 45-24 win over the East stars in Sunday's PSFCA East-West All-Star Game at Gateway High School.

Hills was 8 of 9 in the passing department for 273 yards and four TDs in winning the West squad's MVP award.  Two of the touchdowns were for 80+ yards.

The East jumped-out to a 10-0 lead behind Central Bucks South quarterback Matt Johns, who was 8 of 14 for 154 yards and one touchdown.  Johns was the East's MVP.

Mt. Lebanon Names New Head Football Coach

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

www.pahelmetproject.com

Mike Melnyk has left Manheim Township for the head football coaching job at Mt. Lebanon.

Melnyk, who was 75-63 at Manheim Township, takes over for Chris Haering, who left to become the linebackers coach at Pitt.

Haering was 111-71, winning the WPIAL Class AAAA in 2000.

Allentown Central Catholic Stays In-House for New Head Football Coach

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Allentown Central Catholic was able to win a 3A state football championship in 2010 by staying within the confines of its tradition rich program.

When head coach Harold Fairclough resigned earlier this year, athletic director Mike Kopp only had to look on his staff for a replacement.

John Cupples, a 1999 Vikings grad, is CCHS' new head football coach.  Since 1997, Cupples has served as the Vikings assistant defensive coordinator.

Fairclough resigned to take a teaching position at Whitehall High School.  In six season, Fairclough led the Vikes to a 49-27 record.

Pennsylvania High School Coaching Changes

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

My good friend Dave Mika of EasternPAFootball.com and WesternPAFootball.net has done a great job of compiling a list of new head coaches for the 2012 season.

So far there have been 27 new hires, according to the websites.  Below is the list.

Eastern PA Coaching Changes

Dallas – Bob Zaruta
Dieruff – Kyle Beller
Fairfield – Darwin Seiler
Germantown Academy – Matt Dence
Hanover – Mike Ketterman
Imhotep Charter – Albie Crosby
Lansdale Catholic – Tom Kirk
Lehighton – Tom McCarroll
North Pocono – Greg Dohlon
Palisades – Kevin Ronalds
Salisbury – Andy Cerco
South Western – Damian Poalucci
Susquehanna Community – John Salinkas
Upper Perkiomen – Steve Moyer
Whitehall – Brian Gilbert
William Allen – George Clay
Williams Valley – Tim Savage

Western PA Coaching Changes

Altoona – John Franco
Brentworth – Bob Niziol
Charleroi – Ed Jenkins
Hempfield – Rich Bowen
Kane – Todd Silfries
Kiski Area – Dave Heavner
Kittanning – Frank Fabian
Neshannock – Fred Mozzocio
Penn Hills – John Peterman
Tyrone – Steve Guthoff

I also want to congratulate Dave on being honored for contributions to high school football at the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic.

West Catholic's Brian Fluck to be a Guest on High School Football America Thursday Night

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Brian Fluck is one of the happiest head football coaches in Pennsylvania.

Fluck, who is the head football coach at West Catholic High School in Philadelphia, will join me Thursday night to talk about the rebirth of Burr football.

On January 6th, Fluck and the rest of West Catholic community found-out that the school would be closed at the end of the current school year by the archdiocese.  On February 24th, after a tremendous outpouring of support from the community, the archdiocese announced that West Catholic and three other schools will remain open.

According to Fluck, the news got even better when his star running back David Williams, who has over 15 scholarship offers, decided to remain with the Burrs.  Williams had been considering going to AAA state champ Archbishop Wood, but Fluck reported to me today that he'll stay at WC.

Click here to listen to Thursday night's show LIVE at 7pm EST.

Fluck also appears on the February 16th show talking about the closing.  Click here to listen to that show.

West Catholic and Two Others Football Schools to Remain Open

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

There were a lot of hallelujahs coming from four Philadelphia catholic high schools recently when the archdiocese decided to keep open four schools that it announced it was closing on January 6th.

West Catholic, Conwell-Egan, Monsignor Bonner/Archbishop Prendergast and St. Hulbert (all-girls, no football) will remain open and be playing football in the fall thanks to a tremendous outpouring of support since the January announcement.

The decision was made after close to 20,000 financial donations were received from a wide range of people.

The announcement is especially exciting for West Catholic head football coach and alum Brian Fluck, who now has a chance to build on last year's 10-4 season that ended with a loss in the Class AA state semifinals.  However, there will be a question on whether Fluck will have his senior, blue chip running back David Williams in the backfield.

Williams, who moved to West after his sophomore season when North Catholic closed, had begun looking at other schools, such as defending Class AAA champ Archbishop Wood.

Back on February 16th I spoke with Fluck on the High School Football America radio show about the close.  Click here to listen to that interview.

Harold Fairclough Resigns at Allentown Central Catholic

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Two years after leading his alma mater to a PIAA Class 3A title, Harold Fairclough has resigned as Allentown Central Catholic's head football coach.

Fairclough, who played on the Vikings' 1993 state champion team, went 49-27 in six years as head coach. The Vikings were 9-6 this past season, losing to 3A champ Archbishop Wood 70-14 in the state semifinals.

Fairclough's last three teams were led by quarterback Brendan Nosovitch, who recently signed his letter of intent to play at South Carolina.

Before his team's loss to Archbishop Wood, I spoke with Fairclough on High School Football America on December 8th.

Click here to listen to that interview.

Lansdale Catholic Names Successor for Jim Algeo

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Tom Kirk is the new head football coach at Lansdale Catholic.

Kirk replaces the legendary Jim Algeo, who retired at the end of the season, after 44-years as the Crusaders  head coach.  Algeo retired with a record of 293-193-15.  Coach Algeo led LC to the 2004 PIAA Class AA title.

The Crusaders went 2-7 in 2011.

National Letter of Intent Signing Day - Pennsylvania High Schools

Brandon Acidiacono - OL (Archibishop Wood) - Rutgers
Adam Bisnowaty - OL (Fox Chapel) - Pitt
Harold Brantley - DL (Hershey) - Missouri
Matt Camilletti - WR (Pius X) - St. Francis, PA
DeVaughn Chollette - LB/RB (West Scranton) - New Hampshire
Trenton Coles - DB (Clairton) - Pitt
Mike Capara - LB (Woodland Hills) - Pitt
Brock Dean - LB (Bishop McDevitt) - Maryland
J.J. Denman - OL (Pennsbury) - Rutgers
Adam DePietro - OL (Lancaster Catholic) - Northwestern
Jason Emerich - OL (Blue Mt.) - Syracuse
Dontez Ford - S (Sto-Rox) - Syracuse
P.J. Gallo - TE (Council Rock South) - Maryland
Perry Hills - QB (Pittsburg Central Catholic) - Maryland
J.P. Holtz - TE (Shaler) -  Pitt
Jesse James - TE (South Allegheny) - Penn St.
Quinton Jefferson - DL (Woodlands) - Maryland
Eugene Lewis - WR (Wyoming Valley West) - Penn St.
Connor Mahoney - DT (Malvern) - Northwestern
Ryan McMullin - RB (Archbishop Wood) - Villanova
Tad McNeely - DL/OL (Allentown Central Catholic) - New Hampshire
Skyler Mornhiweg - QB (St. Joseph's Prep) - Florida
Chris Muller - OL (Boyertown) - Rutgers
Anthony Nixon - DB (Pittsburgh Central Catholic) - Maryland
Brendan Nosovitch - QB (Allentown Central Catholic) - South Carolina
Ian Park - OL (Upper St. Clair) - Northwestern
Desmon Peoples - RB (Archbishop Wood) - Rutgers
Deasyean Rippy - S (Sto-Rox) - Pitt
Blake Rankin - QB (Bloomsburg) - Rutgers
Andrew Scanlan - WR (Spring Ford) - Northwestern
Jack Schwaba - TE (Upper St. Clair) - Northwestern
Evan Schwan - DL (Central Dauphin) - Penn St.
Rushel Shell - RB (Hopewell)-  Pitt
Noah Spence - DE (Bishop McDevitt) - Ohio St.
Frank Taylor - OL (Archbishop Wood) - Boston College
Nyeem Wartman - LB (Valley View) - Penn St.

Dieruff Hires Alum to try to Turn Around Football Program

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

After three winless years at Dieruff, head coach John McDowell stepped down.

Now, the school has now turned to one of its own to try to turn around the Husky fortunes.  1997 grad Kyle Beller was hired earlier this week as the school's new head football coach.

Dieruff has only won three games since 2004.

Next season, the Huskies and crosstown rivals Allen will move to the Mountain Valley Conference for football.

Peters Township Football Program Investigated by Authorities

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that police in Peters are investigating the Peters Township High School football team after complaints that someone in the program is "permitting children to play sports with concussions or concussion-like symptoms."

The Post-Gazette article indicates that police are investigating whether head coach Rich Piccinini may have had a role in interfering with the team's athletic trainers as they treated injured players.

Click here to read the full story.

Trisciani Steps Down as Head Football Coach at Whitehall

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Whitehall High School has announced it's in the market for a new head football coach.

School officials have announced that Tony Trisciani has resigned to become the defensive backs coach at Villanova.

In five years with the Zephyrs, Trisciani led the school to a 36-22 record.

Bishop McDevitt's Noah Spence named The Maxwell Football Club's National Player of the Year

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Ohio State recruit Noah Spence of Bishop McDevitt High School has been named the fifth winner of The Maxwell Football Club's National High School Player of the Year Award.

Spence had a great senior season that saw him lead his school to Pennsylvania Class AAA championship game.  The 6-4, 240-pound defensive end recorded 108 tackles with 12-and-a-half sacks, plus 27 tackles for losses.

Spence joins past winners DeVier Posey (Cincinnati LaSalle, OH), Jamarkus McFarland (Lufkin, TX), Sharrif Floyd (George Washington, Philadelphia, PA) and Jeff Driskel (Hagerty HS, Orlando, FL)

Colonial League Coaching Changes

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Northwestern Lehigh High School has announced that it's in the market for a new head football coach.

Tom Linette has resigned after two years as head coach and 30-years overall on the staff.  The Tigers were 10-10 under Linette, who took over for Bob Mitchell in 2010.  Mitchell, who was the head coach at Northwestern for 28-years, asked Linette to take-over when he resigned.

Meanwhile, Salisbury has a new head coach.

Andy Cerco has been named the new leader of the Falcons after spending two years as the defensive coordinator at Parkland.  Last season, Salisbury went 1-9 under Rob Sawicki.

Since the end of the season, three Colonial League coaches have resigned.  Last month, Palisades' head coach Jim Brady stepped-down as the head coach of the Pirates.

Big 33 Coach Mike Brennan Talks About 2012 Classic on High School Football America

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Mike Brennan, who has been going to the Big 33 Classic in Hershey since he was 9-years old, is a very proud coach these days.

Brennan, who will be entering his fourth season as the head coach at Blue Mountain this year, will be the head coach of the Pennsylvania All-Stars in the 2012 Big 33 Game.

Coach Brennan joined me on Thursday's High School Football America radio show to talk about the honor of being a head coach in game that has the distinction of having an alum play in every Super Bowl.

Click here to listen to my interview with Coach Brennan.

Legendary New Castle Football Coaches Passes Away

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Lindy Lauro, who led New Castle to six undefeated season, died Thursday at the age of 90.

Lauro led New Castle as its head coach for 32 years before retiring in 1992 with a record of 220-104-15.  When Lauro won his 200th game in 1987, New Castle was the only high school in America with two coaches with 200 wins or more.  Phil Bridenbaugh won 265 games with New Castle from 1922-1955.

Shaler Head Coach Resigns

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

After four seasons at Shaler, Neil Gordon has resigned as the school's head coach.

Gordon, who led the Titans to a 27-15 record and three WPIAL playoff appearances, took over the Shaler program after a successful career at Penn Hills.

Gordon left Penn Hills after the school district opened-up the head coaching position after the '07 season.  At Penn Hills, Gordon was 156-72-2 with a Class AAAA state title.

Neshannock Names New Head Coach

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Fred Mozzocio is the new head coach at Neshannock.

Mozzocio served as an assistant with the Lancers in the early 2000s.  Last year Neshannock finished 5-4 under Pat Cuba, but missed the WPIAL playoffs.

East Allegheny Head Coach Resigns

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

East Allegheny is in the market for a new head football coach.

Dennis Edwards has resigned after six years as the leader of the program.  East Allegheny was 26-33 under Edwards.

Last season East Allegheny was 5-5, including a first-round loss in the WPIAL playoffs.

PIAA Reclassifies for the Next Two Years

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association has released its reclassification numbers for the next two school years beginning in the fall of 2012.

There aren't a lot of changes, but one 2011 state champ will be playing-up a class over the next two seasons.  Class AA champ Lancaster Catholic will be in AAA during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years.

Click here to see what class your favorite school will be playing in this fall.

Four Archbishop Wood Players Named to Big 33 Roster

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

2011 Class 3A state champ Archbishop Wood was one of the most talented teams to ever step on a high school football field in Pennsylvania.

Aside from state gold medals, the Vikings were honored with several players earning all-state honors from the state's various media outlets.  Today, the Vikings learned that four of its seniors will play in the 55th annual Big 33 Game on June 16th in Hershey.

The Pennsylvania stars will be led by Blue Mountain head coach Mike Brennan.

Below are the 34 players that were named to the squad today.

2012 Pennsylvania Big 33 Roster

OFFENSE
QB-Skyler Mornhinweg, St. Joe’s Prep
QB-Brendan Nosovitch, Allentown C.C.
RB-Rushel Shell, Hopewell
RB-Julian Durden, Montour
H Back-Colin Thompson, Archbishop Wood
H Back-J.P. Holtz, Shaler
WR-Shakim Alonzo, Woodland Hills
WR-Eugene Lewis, Wyoming Valley West
WR-Kevin Gulyas, Allentown C.C.
WR-Cory Jones, Penn Hills
OL-Brandon Arcidiacono, Archbishop Wood
OL-Frank Taylor, Archbishop Wood
OL-Ian Park, Upper St. Clair
OL-Kyle Friend, Cumberland Valley
OL-Jason Emerich, Blue Mountain
OL-Adam DePietro, Lancaster Catholic
OL-JJ Denman, Pennsbury
ATH-Greg Garmon, McDowell

DEFENSE
DL-Treyvon Hester, Penn Hills
DL-Tyrique Jarrett, Allderdice
DL-Noah Spence, Bishop McDevitt
DL-Evan Schwan, Central Dauphin
DL-Terrell Williams, McKeesport
LB-Bryton Barr, Mechanicsburg
LB-Mike Caprara, Woodland Hills
LB-Jon Hicks, Palmyra
LB-Nyeem Wartman, Valley View
DB-Nate Smith, Archbishop Wood
DB-Miles Williams, Bishop McDevitt
DB-Anthony Nixon, Pittsburgh C.C.
DB-Andrew Scanlan, Spring-Ford
DB-Damiere Shaw, Cardinal O’Hara
DB-Michael Felton, South Western
K/P-Bryant Myer, Manheim Central

Mt. Lebanon Coach Resigns to Take Job at Pitt

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

After 17 years as the head coach at Mt Lebanon, Chris Haering has stepped down to take an assistant coaching at Pitt.

Haering led the school to a 111-71 record, including winning the 2003 WPIAL AAAA championship.

Last year Mt. Lebanon finished 7-4, losing to Pittsburgh Central Catholic in the second round of the WPIAL AAAA playoffs.

University Park Changes Nickname

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

Defending Pittsburgh City League champ University Prep will have a new nickname next season.

School officials have announced that the team is dropping the nickname Panthers in favor of the Wildcats.

Last year, University Prep finished 11-2, losing 33-32 to State College in the opening round of the Class 4A playoffs.