On February, 22nd Mr. Pa Football announced the Big/Small School finalists and Lineman Award winners.
Let’s start with the Small School Finalists:
– Aiden Bliss, Port Allegany (RB/LB)
– Dayshaun Burnett, Imani Christian Academy (LB/ATH)
– Eli Zimmerman, Northwestern Lehigh (RB/S)
– Jase Ferguson, Central Clarion (QB/S)
– Madden Patrick, Danville (QB/CB)
– Matt Sieg, Fort Cherry (QB/ATH/S)
Bliss helped lead Port Allegany to a 14-1 record in 2024. He rushed for 3,430 yards and 56 touchdowns. On defense he had 53 solo tackles and 111 total tackles and four interceptions.
Burnett committed to Penn State. Ranked among the top 25 outside linebackers in the country. He had 74 tackles this season, 11.5 sacks. He also led the team in receptions with 34.
What can you say about Zimmerman. The kid did it all, offense, defense, and special teams. He helped lead his team to a perfect 16-0 record and a 3A State Title. Eli rushed for 2,665 yards and 27 touchdowns and caught 28 passes for 277 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, he had 56 total tackles and six interceptions. Zimmerman was dynamic on special teams as well, returning six punts for touchdowns. He set numerous records at Northwestern Lehigh.
Ferguson led Central Clarion to its first-ever PIAA championship game. He had a monster year at quarterback. He completed 70.1% (216 of 308) for 3,482 yards and a District 9 record 51 touchdowns and 8 INTs. He also ran for 1,488 yards and 25 touchdowns. On defense at safety and he finished with 81 tackles and nine interceptions including a pick-six. Jase finished his career with 10,527 yards passing and 148 touchdowns while rushing for 2,901 yards and 46 touchdowns. He scored 49 career touchdowns and had 21 career interceptions. His team finished 14-1.
Patrick led the Ironmen to their first Eastern Final. He is the school’s all-time leading passer. He threw 29 TD passes and only six interceptions. He threw for 2,620 yards in 2024. He rushed for 391 yards and four more scores. Defensively, he added 28 tackles and three interceptions from his safety position. He is the all-time D4 leader with 96 career-passing TDs.
Sieg is a Penn State commit. He will play DB at Penn State. He also is one heck of a quarterback. He is one of few in state history to run for 4,000 career yards and throws for 4,000. First in WPIAL history to run for 5,000 and throw for 4,000. This season he passed for 1,340 and rushed for 1,840 yards and 52 touchdowns. For his career, he had 10,442 yards of offense and still has a year left. He has 6,271 rushing and 4,231 passing and is also a standout DB. He had 50 tackles and four interceptions.
Onto the Big School Finalist:
– Joey O’Brien, La Salle College HS (WR/CB)
– Messiah Mickens, Harrisburg (RB/DE)
– Stone Saunders, Bishop McDevitt (QB)
– Tiqwai Hayes, Aliquippa (RB)
– Ty Salazer, State College (WR/CB)
– Xxavier Thomas, Central Catholic (7) (CB/WR)
O’Brien had a huge year for La Salle College HS. He stood out as one of the top receivers in the state. Joey caught 68 receptions for 1,029 yards and 12 touchdowns. On defense, he added 30 tackles, one interception & eight passes broken up.
Mickens was named 2024-25 Gatorade Player of the Year and is a Penn State commit. Messiah had a huge year on both sides of the ball. He rushed for 1,214 yards and 21 touchdowns and on defense he had 81 tackles, including 39 for loss, and 16.5 sacks.
Saunders is a two-time MaxPreps’ PA Player of the Year. Stone finished his career as the state’s all-time leader in career TD passes (204), completions (781) and passing yards (13,719). He is a Kentucky signee and led the Crusaders to the program’s third PIAA title, and second in three seasons. He completed 227-for-348, 3,577 yards, 48 touchdowns this season.
Hayes is a Penn State commit. He finished his career as sixth leading rusher in WPIAL history with 6,882 yards on 846 carries. Tikey missed some time with injuries this year but still rushed for almost 1,000 yards.
Salazer was another top receiver in Pennsylvania. He set the single-season career and county marks this season. He caught 79 passes for 1,597 yards and 21 touchdowns, a 122.8 ypg. Ty set county marks with 274 receiving yards in subregional clash with McDowell, a week after his game with Bishop McDevitt for 221 yards and three scores. On defense, he had four picks and was an outstanding return man.
Thomas committed to Penn State. He had six interceptions this past fall. He also played receiver where he caught 34 passes for 677 yards. He is an excellent kick returner who averaged 20.7 yards on 15 punt returns. On defense he had 20 tackles and six interceptions.
The last two standing for Big/Small School Lineman of the Year are….
At Small School, Noah Shimko, Mount Carmel Area (OT/DT) and Big School is Kahlil Stewart, St. Joseph’s Prep (OG/OT/DT).
Shimko is a two-time all-state offensive lineman committed to play at Maine. He blocked for an offense that averaged 31.3 points and 336.7 yards per game. On defense he recorded 40 tackles, seven for a loss and 1.5 sacks at nose guard. Noah helped the Red Tornadoes to an 8-4 record and the District 4 semifinals.
Stewart is a Syracuse commit led an offensive line unit that helped Prep gain over 4500 yards of total offense in 13 games this season.
The Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 22nd. The event will be held at the Milton Hershey School Purcell Friendship Hall.
Fans can still vote for 2024 Mr. PA Football by clicking the links below.
Small School (1A-3A) Finalists Link: https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/TDB6CE
Big School (4A-6A) Finalists Link: https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/3aB6bG
