Bethlehem Liberty (11)

2) Bethlehem Liberty (11) 0-0 – The defending PIAA “AAAA” state champions return some big names, namely star quarterback Anthony Gonzalez, who has an outside chance to become the second 4,000/4,000 quarterback in the last three years. With six starters back on both sides of the ball the Hurricanes should offer a strong defense of their first 4A state championship. Gonzalez is a true difference-maker on both sides of the ball. In Liberty’s 28-21 state championship game victory against Bethel Park, he ran for 205 yards and three touchdowns, then made a one-handed interception in overtime to clinch the win. For the season, Gonzalez passed for 1,580 yards and rushed for 1,697 yards with 36 total touchdowns. His top receiver, West, is also back another year. The Stanford recruit is a tremendous athlete with great leaping ability. The Liberty offensive line has four new starters but all but three are seniors and the unit will average 260 pounds. The lone holdover is Campbell, who protects Gonzalez’s blind side at left tackle. The Hurricanes defense has good talent returning in the front seven. Holmes, Knight and Persa are all Division I prospects. A fourth Eastern Finals appearance under 82-game winner Tim Moncman isn’t out of the question.