The 2011 Express-Times All-Area football offense

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

QB - Sr. Dan Harding, Nazareth

The Express-Times 2011 Player of the Year leaves Nazareth as the school's career passer in yards (5,541) and touchdowns (52) after going 257-for-374 for 3,749 yards with 32 TDs and nine INTs this season. Harding, a two-year starter, engineered five late-game comebacks as the Blue Eagles won their first Lehigh Valley Conference and District 11 Class AAAA titles. "He came up in the system and when you're confident and understand it and know how it operates, that's why I think Danny was never nervous," coach Rob Melosky said.




Courtesy photoJordan Gray

RB - Fr. Jordan Gray, Nazareth

Gray established himself as the top freshman rusher in District 11 history, running for 1,663 yards and 20 TDs on 267 carries this season for Nazareth. Gray, who didn't start until Week 3, ran for 233 yards and five TDs in the district semifinal against Parkland. "He has the ability that other running backs don't have as seniors," coach Rob Melosky said. "There was a tremendous difference from Week 2 to 10 to 12 to 14. He started running with more confidence and power."





Express-Times File PhotoJosh Wing

RB - Sr. Josh Wing, Bangor

The All-Colonial League first-team selection rushed for a Bangor record 1,840 yards and 20 touchdowns on 261 attempts this season. The senior, who was converted from a wideout last year, leaves as the Slaters' career leader in points, single-season points, single-season TDs (21), single-season rush TDs and single-game rush yards (337). "With Josh Wing, you always had capability of a big play every time he touched the ball," coach Frank Scagliotta said. "That made us a very good offensive football team."






Express-Times File PhotoAdam Bridgeforth

WR - Sr. Adam Bridgeforth, Nazareth

Nazareth senior receiver, who was named to the All-Lehigh Valley Conference first team, hauled in 82 catches for an Express-Times region leading 1,221 yards with eight TDs. His 14 career receiving TDs is a school record and his yards this fall set a program single-season mark. "He succeeded because of his speed, ability to catch the difficult pass in a crowd and his ability to block," coach Rob Melosky said. "Adam was confident in our offense, knew our system and understood how to make plays in space."





Express-Times File PhotoAndrew Bridgeforth

WR - Sr. Andrew Bridgeforth, Nazareth

Along with his twin brother Adam, the Nazareth senior wideout eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark with 1,011 yards and eight TDs on 60 catches. The 6-foot-2 Andrew utilized his long strides to get downfield behind defenders as one of the Blue Eagles' outside receiving threats. "Andrew was a real physical receiver who was perfect for our outside spot," coach Rob Melosky said. "He was able to run by people. He did a great job blocking on the perimeter. When we needed a deep threat, he supplied that for us."





Express-Times File PhotoBoise Ross

WR - Jr. Boise Ross, Pius X

The junior wide receiver quickly became Pius X's big-play guy with his ability to turn a 5-yard pass into an 80-yard touchdown. Ross, who had 1,177 yards and 19 touchdowns on 49 catches this season, set a program mark for single-season TD receptions. The All-American League first team selection also had 93 tackles and five interceptions at safety. "Boise was the guy when he caught the ball, he was scoring touchdowns with it," coach Phil Stambaugh said. "He's as much a leader as anyone I've coached."






Express-Times File PhotoAJ Long

ATH - So. AJ Long, Pius X

The sophomore quarterback shattered Pius X records, setting marks in passing yards (3,700), touchdowns (46), completions (212) and attempts (315). Long, an All-American League first teamer, also rushed for 931 yards and 17 TDs. "You could really see the growth in him based on how hard he worked in the offseason and that improved his confidence and that translated into being more of a leader in the huddle and on the field," coach Phil Stambaugh said. "People can't believe he's only a sophomore because he has video game-like numbers."





Express-Times File PhotoKirby Mutton

OL - Sr. Kirby Mutton, Pen Argyl

The 6-foot-3, 265-pounder was a four-year starter at center for Pen Argyl. Mutton, an All-Colonial League first teamer at center and defensive tackle, had to deal with a variety of snaps -- including on extra points and punts -- while also pulling and shifting after the ball was hiked. On defense he had 53 tackles and two fumble recoveries. "He was very consistent; I think he had one bad snap all career," coach Paul Reduzzi said. "He understands football and line play. He was able to adapt to defenses and get to the places he needed to be."





Express-Times File PhotoBarry Temple

OL - Sr. Barry Temple, Liberty

The 6-foot-4, 310-pound senior left guard paved the way for Liberty to rush for 3,940 yards in 12 games this season. Temple, a two-year varsity starter, is also a two-time All-Lehigh Valley Conference first team selection. He was named to The Express-Times All-Area first team in 2010. "What he did for us speaks for itself as far as run blocking is concerned," coach Dave Brown said. "It's a combination of things: his size, strength and with him, he has a mean streak to him on the field and it's what you need in an offensive lineman."






Express-Times File PhotoMike Owens

OL - Sr. Mike Owens, Delaware Valley

The three-year starting offensive lineman spearheaded Delaware Valley's potent wing-T attack that produced roughly 3,200 yards rushing this season. The 6-1, 220-pound Owens, one of two returning starters on that line, played tackle and center for the Terriers, who rushed for a school-record 520 yards on Oct. 14. "The thing we're going to miss with Mike is his experience, ability to lead younger kids and his intelligence up front," coach Mike Columbo said. "If a kid was struggling, Mike would always help him out and that was valuable to have."






Express-Times File PhotoDavid Wilke

OL - Sr. David Wilke, Nazareth

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Nazareth senior guard was a throwback player who liked to hit. Wilke, an All-Lehigh Valley Conference first team offensive lineman, paved the way for the Blue Eagles' no-huddle spread offense to rush for 2,195 yards and throw for 3,762 yards. "When the lights came on Friday night, he got it done," coach Rob Melosky said. "He's an aggressive and violent kid on the field. He likes the contact aspect of football. Wilke gave us the ability to be aggressive up front."






Express-Times File PhotoRyan Pysher

OL - Sr. Ryan Pysher, Bangor

The 6-foot-1, 286-pound senior lined up at right guard for Bangor this season. Pysher, an All-Colonial League first teamer on the offensive and defensive lines, paved the way for the Slaters to rush for 2,610 yards and pass for 925 more. Pysher was also the team's long snapper on PATs and punts. "Ryan is probably one of the most athletic linemen I've coached," coach Frank Scagliotta said. "We used him at guard because of his quickness and athletic ability. We were successful offensively because of a lot of the blocks that he made."





Express-Times File PhotoChris Roubik

K - Sr. Chris Roubik, Easton

The Easton senior was plenty busy this season, kicking 50 PATs and four field goals (33, 34, 34 and 41 yards). Roubik, who didn't play as a junior, was named to the All-Lehigh Valley Conference first team. He was instrumental in the Red Rovers' win over unbeaten Whitehall, hitting field goals from 33 and 34 yards and going 4-for-4 on PATs. "I can think of him dominating that game earlier in the year, putting his kickoffs in the end zone and he kicked two field goals," coach Steve Shiffert said. "It's nice when the other team has to go 80 yards."





SECOND TEAM

QB--Sr. Jim McCarthy, Liberty
RB--Sr. Ethan Ivey, North Warren
RB--Sr. Devon Jones, Liberty
WR--Sr. Ryan Hester, Bangor
WR--So. K.J. Williams, Liberty
WR--Sr. Stan Johnson, North Warren
ATH--Sr. Chris Fennell, Delaware Valley
OL--Sr. Joe Walsh, Nazareth
OL--Jr. Jarrett Williams, Phillipsburg
OL--Sr. JT Krincek, Pen Argyl
OL--Sr. Jose Rojas, Easton
OL--Sr. Pat Tkacik, Liberty
K--Sr. Connor Hughes, Notre Dame

THIRD TEAM

QB--Jr. Brian Uliana, Freedom
RB--Jr. Brian Wickkiser, Hackettstown
RB--Jr. Dionisio Roman, Delaware Valley
WR--Fr. Shane Simpson, Easton
WR--Sr. Matt Camilletti, Pius X
WR--Jr. Zack Bogoly, Wilson
ATH--Jr. Alex Martin, Phillipsburg
OL--Sr. Ian Diehl, Northampton
OL--Sr. Chris Chioffe, Phillipsburg
OL--Sr. Andrew Romeo, Bangor
OL--Sr. Matt Gist, Pius X
OL--Sr. Eric Bedard, Delaware Valley
K--Sr. Jack Portnoy, Nazareth

HONORABLE MENTION

QB--Sr. Kenny Solt, Saucon Valley; Sr. Conor Gum, Pen Argyl; Sr. Tim Lurz, North Warren; Jr. Ryan Dailey, Wilson.
RB--Sr. Kyree Bowles, Notre Dame; Sr. Robin Custodio, Phillipsburg; Sr. Nick DeRea, Pius X; Sr. Mike Harris, Liberty.
WR--Sr. Terry Popa, North Hunterdon; Sr. Tyrell Thompson, Warren Hills; Jr. Alex Tonnies, Nazareth; Sr. Zach Holubowski, Northampton.
OL--So. John Spadoni, Easton; Jr. Ryan Appleby, Belvidere; Sr. Steven Stowbridge, North Warren; Jr. Tyler Peerson, Freedom; Jr. Greg Cahill, Wilson; Jr. Matt Hlavinka, Bethlehem Catholic.

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