Liberty Sweeps Associated Press Class AAAA Awards

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

One week after winning the school's first-ever Pennsylvania high school football championship, the two most responsible for Liberty's (#21 USA Today Super 25) title won Associated Press individual honors. Head coach Tim Moncman was named Coach of the Year, while junior quarterback Anthony Gonzalez was player of the year and first team all-state. To read more about the AP's AAAA all-state team, click here.

Associated Press
First Team
Offense
TE-Shane Glacken, Scranton, Sr., 6-3, 205
WR-Malik Generett, York William Penn, Sr., 6-5, 210
WR-Je'Ron Stokes, Northeast Philadelphia, Sr., 6-1, 180
OL-Ryan Schlieper, North Allegheny, Sr., 6-5, 278
OL-Mark Arcidiacono, Saint Joseph's Prep, Sr., 6-5, 280
OL-Sharif Floyd, George Washington, Jr., 6-4, 300
OL-Dusty Galich, McDowell, Jr., 6-2, 223
OL-Miles Dieffenbach, Fox Chapel, Jr., 6-5, 285
QB-Drew Loughery, La Salle College, Jr., 6-1, 195
QB-Anthony Gonzalez, Bethlehem Liberty, Jr., 6-2, 193
RB-Brian Williams, Gateway, Sr., 5-7, 155
RB-Eddie Mateo, Bethlehem Freedom, Sr., 5-10, 190
RB-Joe DeFebo, Wallenpaupack, Jr., 5-7, 170
SPEC-Ronnie Akins, Lansdale North Penn, Sr., 6-1, 180
SPEC-Bret Gillespie, Downingtown West, Jr., 6-2, 195
K-Chad Christen, Red Land, Sr., 6-0, 200

Defense
DL-Dan Shirey, Neshaminy, Sr., 6-3, 275
DL-Levi Brown, Bethlehem Liberty, Sr., 6-3, 315
DL-Rodney Hill, West Lawn Wilson, Sr., 6-0, 275
DL-B.J. Stevens, Gateway, Sr., 6-2, 240
DL-Aaron Donald, Penn Hills, Jr., 6-2, 220
LB-A.J. Fenton, McDowell, Sr., 6-2, 225
LB-Dorian Bell, Gateway, Sr., 6-1, 225
LB-Dan Mason, Penn Hills, Sr., 6-0, 220
LB-Kyle Baublitz, Central York, Jr., 6-5, 244
LB-Mike Hull, Canon McMillan, Jr., 6-1, 215
DB-Chris Houston, Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt, Sr., 5-10, 177
DB-John Schademan, Bethel Park, Sr., 6-0, 190
DB-Jaleel Clark, Parkland, Sr., 6-5, 205
DB-Corey Brown, Gateway, Sr., 6-1, 185
SPEC-Justin Shirk, Central Dauphin, Sr., 6-1, 222
SPEC-Kalif Walker, Frankford, Sr., 5-8, 165
P-Todd Maciejewski, Red Lion, Sr., 6-4, 210

Second Team
Offense
TE-Eric Fath, Quakertown, Sr., 6-3, 230
WR-Devin Street, Bethlehem Liberty, Sr., 6-4, 180
WR-Alex Fegley, West Lawn Wilson, Sr., 6-0, 160
OL-Chris Horner, Delaware Valley, Sr., 6-3, 265
OL-Bobby Panchisin, Malvern Prep, Sr., 6-2, 280
OL-Brandon Morris, Cumberland Valley, Sr., 6-2, 260
OL-Tom Ricketts Jr., North Allegheny, Jr., 6-6, 250
OL-Tim Putman, Garnet Valley, Sr., 6-0, 235
QB-C.J. Brown, Seneca Valley, Sr., 6-3, 190
QB-Jordan Davis, York William Penn, Sr., 5-11, 170
RB-Lyle Marsh, Bethel Park, Sr., 6-1, 215
RB-Bernard Pierce, Glen Mills, Sr., 6-0, 205
RB-Nico Price, McKeesport, Sr., 6-0, 235
RB-Mike Frenette, Cumberland Valley, Sr., 5-9, 175
SPEC-Tim Keyser, Garnet Valley, Sr., 5-10, 175
SPEC-Alex Kenney, State College, Jr., 6-0, 190
SPEC-Nate Daniels, Muhlenberg, Sr., 6-2, 175
K-Matt Oczypok, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Sr., 6-0, 185

Defense
DL-Brad Gore, McDowell, Sr., 6-2, 258
DL-Jack Lippert, Central Dauphin, Sr., 6-4, 250
DL-Akeem Smith, Frankford, Sr., 6-4, 285
DL-Dana Brown, McKeesport, Sr., 6-1, 265
DL-Paul Carrezola, Neshaminy, Sr., 6-4, 245
LB-Steve Marck, Pennsbury, Sr., 6-4, 240
LB-Nick Sizemore, Manheim Township, Sr., 6-2, 225
LB-C.J. Mooney, Malvern Prep, Sr., 6-4, 235
LB-Pat Zerbe, West Lawn Wilson, Sr., 6-2, 250
LB-Colton Weaver, West Lawn Wilson, Sr., 6-0, 215
DB-Anthony Holmes, Harrisburg, Sr., 6-1, 185
DB-Liam McGrath, Haverford Township, Sr., 6-0, 155
DB-Dom Mills, State College, Jr., 6-3, 230
DB-Brandon Ifill, Penn Hills, Jr., 6-0, 185
SPEC-Billy Conners, Malvern Prep, Sr., 5-11, 175
SPEC-Yusef Reddick, Bethlehem Freedom, Sr., 5-7, 145
P-Cody Webster, Central Dauphin East, Jr., 6-4, 180

Player of the Year - Anthony Gonzalez, Bethlehem Liberty
Coach of the Year - Tim Moncman, Bethlehem Liberty

Liberty Enters USA Today Super 25 at #21

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

This Friday and Saturday marks the end of the 2008 high school football season, and with California, Florida and Texas staging its state championships, a lot will be decided.

When it comes to USA Today's mythical national championship, it will come down to four big games. #1 St. Thomas Aquinas controls its destiny. The Raiders will play #6 Lakeland Friday for the state's 5A title. Waiting in the wings are #2 Centennial, which will play #16 De La Salle in the California Division I title, # 3 Long Beach Poly, which plays Sacramento Grant for the California Open Division title, and #4 Allen, which plays Hightower for the Class 5A Division I in Texas.

Last weekend #13 Trinity (KY) and #17 Camden County (GA) claimed state titles. Liberty, which beat former #17 Bethel Park for the Pennsylvania AAAA title, is the only new team in the Super 25.

Here are the rankings...

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 14-0, LW: #1
2. Centennial (Corona, CA) 14-0, LW: #2
3. Long Beach Poly (CA) 14-0, LW: #3
4. Allen (TX) 14-1, LW: #4
5. Skyline (Issaquah, WA) 14-0, LW: #5
6. Lakeland (FL) 14-0, LW: #6
7. Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA) 15-0, LW: #7
8. Lake Travis (Austin, TX) 15-0, LW: #8
9. Byrnes (Duncan, SC) 14-1, LW: #9
10. Trinity (Euless, TX) 13-1, LW: #10
11. Plant (Tampa, FL) 13-1, LW: #11
12. St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH) 14-1, LW: #12
13. Trinity (Louisville, KY) 14-1, LW: #13
14. Center Grove (Greenwood, IN) 14-1, LW: #14
15. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) 11-1, LW: #15
16. De La Salle (Concord, CA) 12-1, LW: #16
17. Camden County (Kingsland, GA) 15-0, LW: #21
18. Armwood (Seffner, FL) 12-1, LW: #18
19. River Hill (Clarksville, MD) 14-0, LW: #19
20. Oceanside (CA) 12-0-1, LW: #20
21. Liberty (Bethlehem, PA) 15-1, LW: NR
22. Maine South (Park Ridge, IL) 14-0, LW: #22
23. Timpview (Provo, UT) 13-0, LW: #23
24. Muskegon (MI) 14-0, LW: #24
25. Union (Tulsa, OK) 13-1, LW: #13

Liberty Tops #17 Bethel Park for 4A Title

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Liberty traded in its bridesmaid outfits for the glass slipper Saturday night beating nationally-ranked Bethel Park (#17 USA Today Super 25) 28-21 in overtime for Pennsylvania's AAAA championship. Liberty, which lost finished runner-up in 2005 and 2006, eneded a streak of four straight AAAA championships from schools from the WPIAL. Click here for game story.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scoreboard - Championships

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Saturday, December 13, 2008

USA Today Super 25
Liberty 28 #17 Bethel Park 21 (OT)

Finals

AAAA
Liberty 28 Bethel Park 21 (OT)

AA
Wilmington 35 West Catholic 34 (2OTs)

Wilmington Wins PA AA Title in Double OT

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Wilmington captured Pennsylvania's AA state championship with a 35-34 double overtime win over heavily favored West Catholic from Philadelphia. The Greyhounds weren't given much a chance against the Burrs, who entered the game having beaten playoff opponents by an average of over 40 points a game. It was the third time in the last four games that Wilmington needed overtime to win. Click here for game story.

Thomas Jefferson Grabs Back-to-Back Pennsylvania AAA Titles

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Thomas Jefferson won its 31st straight in-state game Friday night and claimed its second straight Pennsylvania Class AAA football championship. TJ beat Archbishop Wood 34-7 at Hershey Park Stadium. Wood's appearance in the state title game marked the first time a school from the Philadelphia Catholic League played for a state championship. This is the first year that a PCL school was eligible for the state playoffs. Click here for game story.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scoreboard - Championships

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Friday, December 12, 2008

Finals

AAA
Thomas Jefferson 34 Archbishop Wood 7

A
Steelton-Highspire 35 Clairton 16

Steelton-Highspire Wins Back-to-Back Pennsylvania Class A Titles

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Steelton-Highspire (16-0) captured its second straight Pennsylvania Class A title Friday with a 35-16 win over Clairton (15-1) at Hershey Park Stadium. The game marked the end of the the state's all-time leading rusher Jeremiah White, who was held to 81-yards on 20-carries. White ended his career with 9,027 yards rushing and two state titles. Click here for game story.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scoreboard - Semifinals

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

The western Pennsylvania AAAA semifinal might still be going if it weren't for a roughing the kicker call in the third overtime of Bethel Park's 38-35 win over Wilson West Lawn. After missing a 23-yard attempt, Patrick Lyndon was able to redeem himself with a 25-yard boot to put the Black Hawks in their first-ever state championship game next Saturday.

Bethel Park (#21 USA Today) will face Liberty, which beat North Penn 21-14 Saturday to avenge its only loss of the season, which came during the first week of the season. Liberty will playing in its third state championship game in four years. The Hurricanes are 0-2 in title tilts.

Click here for the Bethel Park-Wilson West Lawn game summary. Click here to read about Liberty's win over North Penn.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Saturday, December 6, 2008

Semifinals

USA Today Top 25
#21 Bethel Park 38 Wilson West Lawn 35 (3 OTs)

AAAA
Liberty 21 North Penn 14
Bethel Park 38 Wilson West Lawn 35 (3 OTs)

Pennsylvania High School Football Scoreboard - Semifinals

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Friday, December 5, 2008

Semfinals

AAA
Archbishop Wood 13 Selinsgrove 7
Thomas Jefferson 49 West York 21

AA
West Catholic 37 Lancaster Catholic 14
Wilmington 29 Aliquippa 28

A
Steelton-Highspire 20 Schuylkill Haven 9
Clairton 24 Farrell 21

Pennsylvania Semifinal Previews

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Pennsylvania's down to the Final Four in all four classification and two 2007 champs (Thomas Jefferson-AAA & Steelton Highspire-A) are still in the running to defend their titles.

In the AAA semis, Thomas Jefferson needs to beat West York to return to the state title game in Hershey. West York is hoping to build on last week's confidence builder against Manheim Central. The Bulldogs beat Manheim Central in the District 3 title game, which was Manheim's first district loss since 1988.

For a preview of how Thomas Jefferson is approaching the defense of its state crown, click here.

In the other AAA semifinal, Archbishop Wood is one of two Philadelphia Catholic League schools still alive for state titles. This is the first year that PCL teams are eligible for PIAA titles. West Catholic is the other PCL team. The two-time defending Catholic League Blue champs, who play Lancaster Catholic in the semis, have outscored opponents 704-173 this year.

Click here on some fun facts on the 21st year of PIAA state football playoffs.

To read more Pennsylvania semifinal previews, click on the games below...

AAAA
North Penn vs. Liberty
Bethel Park vs. Wilson West Lawn

AAA
Archbishop Wood vs. Selinsgrove
Thomas Jefferson vs. West York

AA
Philadelphia West Catholic vs. Lancaster Catholic Click here for game story
Aliquippa vs. Wilmington

A
Steelton-Highspire vs. Schuylkill Haven
Clairton vs. Farrell

North Penn Joins National Prep Poll

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

The are five new teams in this week's National Prep Poll released by PrepNation.com. North Penn (Lansdale, PA) bolts into the poll at #11. This week the Knights will play Liberty for Pennsylvania's eastern championship and the right to go to Hershey for the AAAA championship. North Penn is the only team to beat Liberty this year in the opening week of the season 23-15.

Phoebus (Hampton, VA) moves into the poll at #16 after knocking-off former #24 Stone Bridge to advance to Virginia's Division 5 title game next week. West Monroe (LA) joins the party at #18 followed by Central Grove (Greenwood, IN) at #22 and Glenville (Cleveland, OH) re-entering the poll at #23 on the strength of its 1-1 record against Ohio's Division I champ St. Ignatius, which moves up five spots to #8.

Here's the latest Top 25...

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 12-0, LW: #1
2. Trinity (Euless, TX) 13-0, LW: #2
3. Long Beach Poly (CA) 12-0, LW: #5
4. Centennial (Corona, CA) 12-0, LW: #4
5. Armwood (Seffner, FL) 12-0, LW: #7
6. South Panola (Batesville, MS) 14-0, LW: #6
7. Hightower (Missouri City, TX) 11-0, LW: #8
8. St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH) 14-1, LW: #13
9. Byrnes (Duncan, SC) 13-1, LW: #16
10. St. Xavier (Louisville, KY) 12-0, LW: #14
11. North Penn (Lansdale, PA) 14-0, LW: NR
12. Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA) 14-0, LW: #11
13. Skyline (Sammanish, WA) 13-0, LW: #9
14. Camden County (Kingsland, GA) 13-0, LW: #17
15. Bethel Park (PA) 14-0, LW: #15
16. Phoebus (Hampton, VA) 14-0, LW: NR
17. Maine South (Park Ridge, IL) 14-0, LW: #21
18. West Monroe (LA) 12-0, LW: NR
19. Allen (TX) 12-1, LW: #19
20. Lakeland (FL) 12-0, LW: #20
21. Centennial (Peoria, AZ) 12-0, LW: #22
22. Center Grove (Greenwood, IN) 14-1, LW: NR
23. Glenville (Cleveland, OH) 11-1, LW: NR
24. Timpview (Provo, UT) 13-0, LW: #23
25. Maryville (TN) 14-0, LW: #25