The Observer-Reporter’s 2015 Elite 11 for high school football
Washington senior Kurt Adkins
Dan Trimbur
Jordan West
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter Mac Chambers
Marcus Czulewicz
Nate Swart
Nick Ponikvar
Chacar Berry
Bryan Milligan
Josh Hughes
Tony Welsh
Combined with Jordan West to form one of the best rushing duos in the WPIAL. … The speedy 5-10 senior rushed for 1,281 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging almost 12 yards per carry. … Despite rarely playing late in games, he ran for more than 100 yards six times in 11 games, including a 211-yard, three-touchdown performance against Waynesburg.
The three-year starter was the focal point of a run-heavy offense, rushing for 1,215 yards and 14 touchdowns. … Had at least one touchdown in all but one game he played. … Berry had eight 100-yard rushing games, including a 167-yard, two-touchdown performance in a season-opening win over Thomas Jefferson. … An outside linebacker, Berry led a defense that allowed just 13.1 points per game. … Returned an interception 43 yards for a score against Uniontown.
The 6-4, 285-pound mauler helped clear the way for an improved running attack that had the Hillers one win away from a playoff berth. … Only allowed three sacks in three seasons as a starter. … Spent time at guard and tackle this fall. … Blocked for an offense that rushed for 1,929 yards with 29 touchdowns and averaged seven yards per carry. … Averaged five pancake blocks per game. … Was a force on the defensive line, finishing with 30 tackles, including five for loss.
Went through growing pains when he was thrust into the starting role as a freshman, but as the full-time starter this fall Czulewicz looked like the best quarterback in the area, gaining 1,864 total yards with 24 touchdowns. … Passed for 1,064 yards and 15 scores, and rushed for a team-high 804 and eight touchdowns. … Completed 53.9 percent of his passes and averaged 5.9 yards per carry playing behind a young line. … Had two interceptions and forced a fumble as a cornerback.
Finished fourth among WPIAL Class A quarterbacks with 2,010 passing yards. … Hughes helped orchestrate an offense that averaged 33.3 points per game and snapped a 10-year playoff drought. … Completed 61 percent of his passes with 25 touchdowns to six different receivers. … Became only the second player in WPIAL history to pass for 500 yards in a game when he had 510 and six scores in a win over Mapletown.
Running behind an inexperienced offensive line, the 5-10, 185-pound tailback broke several school records with 233 carries for 1,607 yards (sixth in the WPIAL and first in Quad-A) and 16 touchdowns. … In the Big Macs’ final four games, which included two wins, Milligan ran for 968 yards and nine touchdowns. Had 301 yards and three scores in a Week 8 win over Baldwin.
A two-year starter, Ponikvar helped one of the top passing games in the WPIAL and continued to shine at the biggest stage. … Caught 36 passes for a team-high 635 yards and five touchdowns. … His 65-yard score in the fourth quarter against Aliquippa in the WPIAL Class AA title game tied the score after the Lions had a 14-point deficit. … Had two scores in the season opener against Keystone Oaks.
A threat as a receiver in a run-heavy offense, the Toledo recruit was arguably the top blocking tight end in the WPIAL. … He helped clear the way for an offense that had 2,979 rushing yards and averaged almost 10 yards per carry. … Caught eight passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns. … Had 43 tackles, including 5 1/2 sacks as a defensive end.
The latest in a long line of big, athletic receivers at South Fayette, Trimbur made strides in his second year as a starter and was a reliable third-down receiver. … The 6-4 sure-handed receiver caught 36 passes for 570 yards and 10 touchdowns, including two in the Lions’ first-round playoff win over Burgettstown and two in a regular-season victory against Steel Valley. … Made four field goals and was 64 of 67 on extra points.
With Adkins, West led a rushing attack that helped the Prexies average 45.7 points per game and reach the WPIAL quarterfinals. … Ran for 1,039 yards – averaging 13.5 yards per rush – and 15 touchdowns. Added a receiving score and two interceptions. … Helped Wash High defeat McGuffey with 306 yards and five touchdowns on only 12 carries.
The Bulldogs’ four-year starter became just the 16th player in WPIAL history to eclipse 4,000 rushing yards, helping Beth-Center reach the WPIAl Class A playoffs. … Ended his career with 5,062 rushing yards. … Finished fourth in the WPIAL with 1,945 rushing yards and fifth in scoring with 30 touchdowns. … Averaged 8.8 yards per rush. … Had 353 yards and three scores in a win over Bentworth in the regular-season finale.
Compiled by Lance Lysowski