Ronald Burnette, jr., RB, Steel-High: Burnette spun the scoreboard three times, willing the Rollers to their second PIAA championship in three years. He ran for scores of 3, 1 and 19 yards in a 22-8 win over Union Area for the Class 1A title, finishing with 28 carries for 122 yards.
Jaeion Perry, jr., WR/DB, Steel-High: Perry didn’t find the end zone this week in the state championship, but he was Alex Erby’s favorite target by far and shredded Union for 120 stripes on seven receptions. Perry also added a late interception on defense and ran three times for 6 yards.
Marquis Beasley, sr., OL/DL, Steel-High: Props to a defense that held Union to just eight points (two of them by way of safety). Beasley devoured quarterback Braylon Thomas for three sacks and helped the Rollers’ D hold Union to just 159 total yards.
Riley Robell, sr., DL, Bishop McDevitt: Robell dominated in a game McDevitt owned from start to finish for a 41-18 PIAA Class 4A championship victory over Aliquippa. Robell forced two fumbles and led a defense that allowed a paltry 135 total offensive yards (18 of them passing) to avenge last year’s loss.
Marquese Williams, sr., RB, Bishop McDevitt: The defense was stellar, but the Crusaders’ offense didn’t have much trouble scoring. Williams led that charge, racking up 129 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. His TD came from 2 yards out in the fourth quarter.
Tyshawn Russell, sr., WR, Bishop McDevitt: There may not be such a thing as a perfect game in football, but Russell came about as close as one player can get. The game-breaker caught four of six targets and all of them ended with points. Russell finished with 121 yards and scored on receptions of 70, 12, 28 and 11 yards to stake McD to a 34-6 lead that was never remotely challenged.
Stone Saunders, so., QB, Bishop McDevitt: Sure, Saunders tossed three picks – including one returned for a late touchdown, albeit in garbage time – but he was still largely impressive with 167 yards and five touchdowns (four to the man above) on 10 of 16 passing. His non-Russell TD toss went to Rico Scott for 12 yards.
Kyle Williams Jr., sr., RB, Harrisburg: The Cougars fell to St. Joseph’s Prep 42-7, but Williams managed to do some damage against the Philadelphia powerhouse. The senior ran for 43 yards on 16 carries and caught all six passes thrown his way for 98 stripes. One of those receptions he took 66 yards for ‘Burg’s lone TD in the fourth quarter.
