Beau Pribula, QB, Central York: When it comes to that “it” factor by subtly making everyone around him better, this guy has a ton of “it.” The Penn State recruit is simply a winner. In his final high school season, he’s completed a stunning 73% of his 165 attempts for 2,268 yards and a staggering 32 touchdowns. The dual-threat signal caller also has more than 400 yards on the ground with eight more scores to give him 40 total touchdowns. And the numbers don’t tell the real story of his value.
Christian Royer, RB/LB, Warwick: One of my favorite players in the Lancaster-Lebanon League for a lot of reasons. Sure, the Warriors are playing mighty Governor Mifflin and the expectation is Warwick is going to lose. One of the many qualities that makes Royer stand out on a field is his football determination. He’s tough as nails and plays at 100 miles per hour every play. He’s a respectable running back and is very good at getting yards after first contact and navigating tight spaces. Most eyes, though, will be on another running back in this game. I want to see Royer play linebacker against this OL and the rushing attack of the Mustangs. He’s an exceptional linebacker with well above average first-read instincts.
Erby Weller, WR, Shippensburg: Everyone knows the Greyhounds historically love to pound the rock, and this year’s team is no different. They employ a three-headed monster in the run game where nobody is the single go-to back, but all three find a way to get theirs. And that’s tough to defend. Ship is more balanced than most years in 2021, and Weller, a 6-foot-2 junior, is a go-to weapon for the undefeated Colonial Division champions. As a team, Shippensburg has completed 59 passes this season and 36 of those have gone to Weller. He averages 20.7 yards per catch and has 10 touchdowns. That’s some serious production in limited opportunities. If Ship is going to continue playing, he might need to be more of a factor.
Ethan Eisenberg, QB, Big Spring: History has been made, but it’s time to move on because opportunity knocks for this Bulldogs team as the No. 10 seed in Class 4A. At its core Big Spring is still a Wing-T based offense with several modifications. The most prevalent is the Bulldogs have a deep-shot gunslinger at quarterback. Eisenberg’s strength is throwing rainbows downfield for huge plays. He’s thrown for nearly 1,600 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. But here’s all you need to know why he’s fun to watch: one out of every three passes the junior completes goes the distance for a touchdown. That’s ridiculous considering this is a run-based offense. The run game matters, still. It’s the vehicle that opens up these deep shots. They have more depth at wideout than you think at their disposal, too.
Stone Saunders, QB, Bishop McDevitt: Get ready, Pennsylvania, to be introduced to the next great quarterback to play for the Crusaders. Saunders is a 6-1, 175-pound freshman. Quietly, very quietly actually, this first-year player has put together an impressive campaign. Everyone knows McDevitt’s schedule has been soft. Yet if you think this type of production is based on a soft schedule you don’t know much about football. How about a 68% completion percentage, nearly 2,100 yards passing with 34 touchdowns and get ready for it … ONE interception. Somebody much wiser than me once said a hidden stat in football for quarterbacks is yards per attempt. Saunders averages 15.5 yards per attempt. That is a ridiculous number.
