The Morning Call's 2011 football all-area team

FROM THE MORNING CALL

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK

Daniel Harding, Nazareth

Joe Walsh Senior produced one of the best seasons by a quarterback in District 11 history. … Threw for 3,749 yards, the second-best single-season total in district history, and 32 touchdowns with nine interceptions while leading the Blue Eagles to the Lehigh Valley Conference and District 11 4A titles. … Finished his career with 5,541 passing yards, second-most in Nazareth history, and a school-record 52 touchdown passes. … Named first-team LVC.

RUNNING BACKS

Dylan Evans, Pen Argyl

He rushed for 2,064 yards this season and scored a school-record 31 touchdowns. … Finished his career with 4,399 yards, 130 short of Woody Petchel's school record, and 79 TDs. … Set school record with 327 yards rushing vs. Catasauqua. … Also had 69 tackles, 3 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries for one of the state's stingiest defenses. … First-team Colonial League pick at running back and linebacker. … Finished with 18 career interceptions.

Jordan Gray, Nazareth

He used late surge to post best season by a freshman running back in District 11 history. … Finished season with 1,663 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns. … Also caught 19 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns. … Ended season with six straight 100-yard games, including 200-yard efforts against Whitehall and Parkland.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Kevin Gulyas, Central Catholic

The Morning Call's 2011 player of the year enjoyed one of the best seasons by a receiver in state history. … Caught 122 passes for 2,031 yards and 27 touchdowns, all single-season District 11 and state records. … Finished career with 247 catches for 4,201 yards and 54 touchdowns, all state career records. … Named the LVC's offensive MVP, he also was an honorable-mention pick as a defensive back and special-teams player.

Adam Bridgeforth, Nazareth

Senior emerged as the No. 1 target in Nazareth's quick-strike passing attack. … Caught 82 passes for 1,221 yards, both single-season school records, and had eight touchdowns. … Had 61 tackles and one interception as a defensive back. … Named first-team LVC at wide receiver.

Jalen Snyder-Scipio, Central Catholic

A supporting player for the Vikings as a junior, he developed into one of the best receivers in the area as a senior. … Caught 74 passes for 1,242 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. … Ended the season with six straight games of at least 90 receiving yards. … Finished career with 97 catches for 1,634 yards and 17 touchdowns.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Barry Temple, Liberty

Senior served as dominant blocker for one of the area's most prolific rushing attacks. … Helped the Hurricanes amass 3,940 rushing yards while averaging 7.8 yards per carry. … Named first-team LVC at guard for a second straight year. … Was an honorable-mention all-area pick last season.

Tad McNeely, Central Catholic

The lone returning starter on the Vikings' offensive line excelled while moving from left tackle to center. … Led a front that helped the Vikings score 608 points and pile up 6,458 yards. … Had 36 tackles (29 solo), two sacks, eight tackles for loss and one interception as a defensive lineman. … Named first-team LVC at center and defensive line. … Will continue career at New Hampshire.

Chris Yazigi, Whitehall

Senior was the best performer on one of the area's top offensive lines. … Helped Zephyrs rush for 3,258 yards. … Part of a front that surrendered only six sacks. … Voted first-team LVC at offensive tackle.

Andrew Romeo, Bangor

Senior was part of an offensive line that paved the way for teammate Josh Wing's school- and league-record (at the time) 337 yards rushing against Catasauqua. … Called by several coaches the league's best offensive lineman. … Had 38 key blocks on touchdowns in 2011. … Helped Slaters rush for 2,610 yards.

Kirby Mutton, Pen Argyl

Division I prospect and three-year starter at center. … Helped the Green Knights rush for 3,625 yards, 5.9 yards per carry and amass 4,812 yards of offense. … The 6-foort-3, 265-pounder also had 53 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 interception as a defensive lineman. … A first-team Colonial League pick at center and defensive tackle.

ATHLETES

Brendan Nosovitch, Central Catholic

Senior and South Carolina recruit wrapped up one of the most prolific careers in Pennsylvania history to earn a spot on the all-area first team for a third straight year. … Threw for a District 11 single-season record 3,809 yards with 39 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, helping the Vikings reach the state semifinals. … Ended career with 9,249 passing yards and 106 touchdown passes, both ranking him No. 2 all-time in the state. … Finished as Central Catholic's all-time leader with 3,628 rushing yards and wound up with 12,877 yards of total offense.

Devon Jones, Liberty

Senior was one of the most explosive skill players in the area. … Ran for 1,005 yards and eight touchdowns on just 67 carries, averaging 15.0 yards per carry. … Also returned five punts for touchdowns and caught four passes for 140 yards and one score. … Voted an honorable-mention running back in the LVC.

Ty Cunningham, Northwestern

Senior rushed for 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns, the second year in a row he reached the plateau. … Threw for 856 yards and six TDs. … Also led the Tigers with 116 tackles. … A first-team Colonial League pick as an athlete. … Finished career 2,008 yards rushing and 33 TDs.

KICKER

Brennon Bissell, Parkland

Senior gave Trojans a weapon on kickoffs, punts and field goals. … Finished with 65 points while connecting on 5-of-6 field goals with a long of 40 yards. … Also averaged 36.9 yards on 28 punts. … Was an honorable-mention LVC pick at kicker.

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Ahmad McFarland, Liberty

Senior provided a pass-rush threat while also being one of the Hurricanes' top tacklers. … Finished the season with a team-best eight sacks. … Also had 55 tackles to rank second on the Hurricanes. … Named first-team LVC at defensive line.

Tyler Greene, Easton

Two-way starter was one of area's most disruptive defensive linemen as a junior. … Recorded 77 tackles (21 solo) and seven sacks, and forced three fumbles in helping the Red Rovers reach the District 11 Class 4A title game. … Named the defensive MVP of the Easton-Phillipsburg game after posting seven tackles and three sacks. … A first-team LVC selection at defensive line.

Ryan Pysher, Bangor

Senior had 80 tackles, including 56 solos and 19 for loss for the Slaters, who reached the District 11 Class 3A semifinals. … The 6-foot-1, 286-pound Division I recruit, who also started on the offensive line, moved around the defensive front because of injuries. … A first-team Colonial League selection on the offensive and defensive lines … Had 41 key blocks on TDs this season.

Scott Beltz, Pen Argyl

Junior had 69 tackles, 17 for loss, for the Colonial League and District 11 Class 2 champion Green Knights. … The 6-3, 200-pounder also had 26 hurries, 6 pass deflections and 1 forced fumble. … A Division I recruit because of his athleticism and relentlessness. … First-team Colonial League pick.

LINEBACKERS

Zach Miller, Pen Argyl

Senior had a team-high 94 tackles, including 13 for loss. … The 6-1, 200-pounder also had 3 fumble recoveries and 1 interception for the Green Knights, who gave up just 49 points during the regular season. … Also had 5 receiving TDs. … First-team Colonial League pick at linebacker and tight end.

Rob Dvoracek, Parkland

Senior starred as a two-way player. … Had 89 tackles (59 solo), 13 tackles for loss, four sacks and 12 quarterback pressures in being named the LVC's defensive MVP. … Also voted first-team LVC at running back, he rushed for 1,246 yards and 26 touchdowns. … Will continue his career at Temple.

Andrew Harris, Whitehall

Senior was another of the area's top two-way players. … Posted 67 tackles, two sacks and eight tackles for loss. … Ran for 1,489 yards and 22 touchdowns, averaging 7.4 yards per carry. … Named first-team LVC at linebacker and running back.

Kirk Bender, Northern Lehigh

Senior led team in tackles for second year in a row for Colonial League and District 11 2A runnerup Bulldogs. … Four-year letterwinner started the last 41 games in a row. … The 5-10, 180-pounder used his knack for the ball to beat bigger opposing blockers to the spot. … Also rushed for 8 touchdowns as the Bulldogs' starting fullback. … Colonial League first-team pick at linebacker.

Matt Laub, Parkland

After missing junior year with an injury, senior returned to become one of the LVC's dominant defenders. … Finished season with 94 tackles (68 solo), six sacks, 31 quarterback pressures, six pass breakups, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. … Also played tight end for an offense that piled up 3,344 rushing yards. … Named first-team LVC at linebacker and tight end.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Anthony Orlando, Liberty

Senior was the Hurricanes' best defensive playmaker. … Led team with 83 tackles, five interceptions and three fumble recoveries. … Voted first-team LVC at defensive back.

Ian Hayden, Easton

Senior started at quarterback and safety for an Easton team that reached the District 11 4A final for a third straight year. … Finished season with 65 tackles (27 solo), two interceptions, eight pass breakups and one fumble recovery. … Threw for an Easton single-season school record 1,868 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. … Named first-team LVC at defensive back.

Trey Robinson, Wilson

Junior led the Warriors in tackles with 83.5, plus 3 fumble recoveries, 3 pass breakups and 1 interception. … The 5-11 170-pounder combined athleticism and a tireless work ethic to make a play. … Rushed for a school- and league-record 405 yards in Week 10 against Notre Dame. … Colonial League first-team pick at linebacker.

Josh Wing, Bangor

Senior had 30 tackles and 3 interceptions for the 7-4 Slaters. … The 5-10, 173-pound speedster also led the league in rushing during the regular season with 1,840 yards and 20 TDs. … Set school records for TDs in a season (21), rushing TDs (20), rushing yards in a game (337), rushing yards in a season (1,840), points in a season (184) and career (250). … First-team Colonial League pick at running back.

ATHLETE

Okezie Alozie, Freedom

Already a top defender, he became one of area's elite offensive threats as a senior. … Finished with 60 tackles, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, two interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. … Ran for 1,167 yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging 7.0 yards per carry. … Named first-team LVC at defensive back and honorable mention at running back.

PUNTER

Andrew Deutsch, Northwestern

Senior averaged nearly 40 yards per boot. … Excellent hang time on his punts. … Also made 28 extra points and 1 field goal. … Caught a touchdown pass, had 37 tackles and 1 interception. … Colonial League first-team pick.

SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE

QB – A.J. Long, Pius X

RB – Colin McDermott, Central Catholic

RB – Khaleel Artis, Emmaus

RB – Jake Meluskey, So. Lehigh

WR – Matt Camilletti, Pius X

WR – Andrew Bridgeforth, Nazareth

OL – Sebastian Joseph, Stroudsburg

OL – J.T. Krincek, Pen Argyl

OL – Cody Laubach, Emmaus

OL – Kyle Wasilkowski, No. Lehigh

OL – David Wilke, Nazareth

ATH – Rob Bennie, Stroudsburg

ATH – Jimmy McCarthy, Liberty

ATH – Ryan Hester, Bangor

ATH – Jarel Elder, Parkland

K – Connor Hughes, Notre Dame-Green Pond

SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE

DL – Jake Wygant, Whitehall

DL – Kyle Schomp, No. Lehigh

DL – Ian Diehl, Northampton

DL – Tarrek Lee, Freedom

LB – Luke Garner, Catasauqua

LB – Evan Kauffman, Freedom

LB – Caleb Johnson, No. Lehigh

LB – Tanner Madouse, Whitehall

LB – Dan Shepherd, Nazareth

DB – Noah Robb, Central Catholic

DB – Payton Bachman, Northwestern

DB – Mikey Racciato, Pen Argyl

DB – Sa'Quon Burton, Catasauqua

ATH – Ty Edmond, So. Lehigh

P – Connor Casey, Bethlehem Catholic

HONORABLE MENTION

DE Ricky Flowers and LB Mike Onjack, Bangor

OL Chris Sofish, Catasauqua

LB G.B. Harkins and DE Jeff Gulyas, Central Catholic

RB Joe Clouse and WR Abdul Murphy, East Stroudsburg North

DL TE Matt Mowad, WR Shane Simpson, OL Jose Rojas and K Chris Roubik, Easton

LB Josh MacLeod and DB Andrew Brown, Emmaus

DL Kory Cherry and DB-WR Frank Bucsi, Freedom

LB Alex Pope, Jim Thorpe

WR Jacen Nalesnik, Lehighton

WR K.J. Williams, LB Stephon Font-Toomer and CB-RB Mike Harris, Liberty

OL Brendan McGowan, Marian Catholic

DT Aaron Bradley, WR Alex Tonnies, C Joe Walsh and S Kyle East, Nazareth

DE Kyle Greenawald, RB Trevor Yashur, QB Dylan Hofmann and DB David Getz, Northern Lehigh

DL Dave Tirpak and OL Doug Saks, Northwestern

RB Kyree Bowles and DB Dysean Alexander, Notre Dame

RB Christian Gretzinger, Palisades

OL-DL Kane Kralik, Palmerton

TE Brock Mitchell, Panther Valley

LB Zach Gurinowich, OT Eric Burleson, OT Mike Unger and G Jake Pope, Parkland

OL-DL Jeremy Hempeler, OL Zach Savercool, DB Kyle Muller and ATH Conor Gum, Pen Argyl

RB Mike Class, OL James Worthington, LB James Marrero, and DE John Dubyk, Pennridge

WR Boise Ross and DE-LB Abu Shaw, Pius X

RB Rob Getz, Pleasant Valley

RB-LB Justin Wieder and K Casey Fosbenner, Quakertown

LB Andy Eherts, Salisbury

DL Tony Rosati, Saucon Valley

DL Robert Moyer and WR Jake Del Priore, Southern Lehigh

OL-DL Blaine Woodson, Stroudsburg

RB Jarred Muffley, Tamaqua

RB John Olson and LB Dalton Fleming, Upper Perkiomen

DB-P Logan Kreglow, Whitehall

WR Zach Bogoly, Wilson

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