Player of the Year Stone Saunders among 7 All-State picks for McDevitt

Bishop McDevitt made a resounding statement on the football field this season, winning 13 straight games to end the season, culminating with a 41-18 PIAA Class 4A championship victory over Aliquippa.

The Crusaders made another resounding statement Friday with seven All-State selections on the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 4A All-State team, along with Player of the Year for quarterback Stone Saunders and Coach of the Year for Jeff Weachter.

Players were nominated by and selected in a vote of sportswriters across the state.

All-State teams in Class 5A and 6A will be announced later today.

Saunders, one of the most heavily recruited sophomores in the state, put up incredible passing numbers, throwing for 3,583 yards and 54 touchdowns this season, with just five interceptions; three of those picks coming in the state title game. He also threw five scoring passes against the Quips.

Weachter, the Crusaders coach for 23 seasons, has won 230 games, 10 district titles and reached the PIAA championship game four times. This was his first championship.

Running back Bryce Armold, selected as an Athlete, and linebacker Rocco Daugherty of Manheim Central were the lone picks from the Lancaster-Lebanon League.

Jersey Shore, which went 12-0 before falling to Allentown Central Catholic in overtime in a state playoff opener, had six All-State selections. Aliquippa had five.

The Crusaders lost to season-opener 19-14 to Imhotep Charter, which went on to reach the PIAA Class 5A championship game.

McDevitt (13-1) avenged a 34-27 loss to the Quips in last year’s PIAA championship.

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Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 4A All-State Team 

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OFFENSE 

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Stone Saunders, Bishop McDevitt 

COACH OF THE YEAR: Jeff Weachter, Bishop McDevitt

Quarterback 

Stone Saunders, Bishop McDevitt – 6-2, 200 sophomore 

Cadin Olsen, Armstrong – 6-5, 225 senior 

Brady Jordan, Jersey Shore – 5-8, 170 senior 

Running Back 

Tiqwai Hayes, Aliquippa – 6-1, 194 sophomore 

Marquese Williams, Bishop McDevitt – 5-11, 190 senior 

Mikey Bentivegna, York Suburban – 5-8, 190 senior 

Noah Schultz, Crestwood – 6-1, 170 senior 

Abu Kamara, Interboro – 6-1, 205 senior 

Parker Bolesta, Dallas – 6-0, 205 senior 

Wide Receiver 

Tyshawn Russell, Bishop McDevitt – 6-2, 185 senior 

Rico Scott, Bishop McDevitt – 6-1, 190 junior 

Jareel Calhoun , Allentown Central Catholic – 5-9, 150 sophomore 

Offensive Line 

Gabriel Arena, Bishop McDevitt – 6-5, 295 senior 

Neco Eberhardt, Aliquippa – 6-2, 285 senior 

John Jones, Crestwood – 6-1, 275 senior 

Luke Springman, Jersey Shore – 6-0, 225 senior 

Ty Banco, Trinity – 6-1, 274 senior 

Naquan Crowder, Aliquippa – 6-3, 331, senior 

Athlete 

Rodney Gallagher, Laurel Highlands – 5-11, 175 senior 

Khalon Simmons, Meadville – 5-9, 175 senior 

Brycen Armold, Manheim Central – 5-8, 185 junior 

DEFENSE 

Defensive Line 

Riley Robell, Bishop McDevitt – 6-3, 300 senior 

Zach Rooney, Jersey Shore – 6-2, 250 senior 

Jackson Tonya, Central Valley – 6-2, 231 senior 

Magnus Bibla, Crestwood – 6-2, 219 senior 

Jordan Mayer, Thomas Jefferson – 6-5, 210 senior 

Linebacker 

Hadyn Packer, Jersey Shore – 6-2, 225 senior 

Kade Werner, Bishop McDevitt – 5-11, 200 senior 

Ethan Hosak, Allentown Central Catholic – 6-2, 215 senior 

Rocco Daugherty, Manheim Central – 5-10, 195 senior 

Cameron Lindsey, Aliquippa – 6-2, 200 junior 

Griffin Patridge, Allentown Central Catholic – 6-2, 190 senior 

Defensive Back 

D.J. Walker, Aliquippa – 6-1, 175 senior 

Jayvin Thompson, Central Valley – 6-2, 185 senior 

Nick Miscavage, Crestwood – 5-8, 140 senior 

Bobbie Boyd, McKeesport – 5-9, 175 senior 

Specialist 

Breck Miller, Jersey Shore – 6-1, 180 senior 

Carter Young, Selinsgrove – 5-10, 173 junior 

Athlete 

Isaiah Session, Bonner Prendergast – 5-10, 185 junior 

Kooper Peacock, Jersey Shore – 6-1, 195 senior 

Caiden Shaffer , Allentown Central Catholic – 5-10, 205 senior