FOUR D9 FOOTBALL PLAYERS NAMED CLASS A ALL-STATE

Two of those players – Curwensville offensive lineman J.D. Skebo and Coudersport running back David Babcock (All-Purpose selection – are first team selections, while Clarion offensive lineman Ricky Schmader and Curwensville running back Nick Sipes are second-team choices.

Skebo was the key to Curwensville’s offensive which led District 9 with 387.2 yards per game including a D9 best 311.7 on the ground, over 63 yards better than the No. 2 rushing offense Clarion. Skebo is the third Curwensville lineman in the past two years to be named AP All-State. Brad Sopic was a first-team selection last season, while Sean Farley was a second-team choice. Skebo is the fifth Curwensville offensive lineman to earn AP All-State honors since 2000. T.C. Curry was a second-team AP Small School choice in 2000, while Cory Bailor was a second-team Small School selection in both 2001 and 2002.

Babcock was a do-everything player for D9 Class A champion Coudersport finishing third in D9 in rushing (1.662 yards on 219 carries with 26 touchdowns) while also catching 11 passes for 303 yards and four touchdowns and returning a kick and an interception for touchdowns giving him 32 total TDs on the season. He also had 417 total return yards during the year.

Schmader was a key part of Clarion’s offensive line that helped the Bobcats finish second in District 9 in rushing with 248.2 yards per game and sixth in total offense with 321.7 yards per contest.

Sipes was the leading rusher in District 9 gaining 1,857 yards on 242 carries with 30 touchdowns. He was 142 yards ahead of the No. 2 rusher in D9, Clarion’s Chris McSwain. Sipes follows in a family tradition of AP All-State performers. His older brother Nate was first-team Class A selection last year, while his cousin Kyle Cathcart was a second-team AP Small School selection at offensive specialist in 2001 and a second-team AP Small School selection at defensive specialist in 2000.

Duquesne wide receiver Elijah Fields was the AP Class A Player of the Year, while Southern Columbia head coach Jim Roth was the Coach of the Year.

COACH OF THE YEAR - Jim Roth, Southern Columbia

PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Elijah Fields, Duquesne

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

TE - Jeff Minemyer, Bishop Carroll, Sr., 6-7, 257
WR - Elijah Fields, Duquesne, Sr., 6-2, 200
WR - Andy Ostach, Blairsville, Jr., 6-4, 195
OL - Rick Biem, Portage, Sr., 6-3, 285
OL - Ian Fullmer, Southern Columbia, Sr., 6-4, 275
OL - Mike Rollman, Schuylkill Haven, Sr., 6-0, 256
OL - Zach Sarginger, Muncy, Jr., 6-2, 315
OL - J.D. Skebo, Curwensville, Sr., 6-2, 297
QB - Adam Highberger, Blairsville, Sr., 6-2, 165
RB - Layton Dunn, Duquesne, Sr., 5-10, 210
RB - Henry Hynoski, Southern Columbia, Jr., 6-2, 245
RB - Josh Kleinfelter, Bellwood-Antis, Jr., 5-10, 175
K - Dan Hutchins, Loyalsock Township, Sr., 5-11, 171
All-Purpose - David Babcock, Coudersport, Sr., 6-0, 190

DEFENSE

DL - Gary Johnstone, Steelton-Highspire, Sr., 6-1, 245
DL - Josh Marks, Southern Columbia, Jr., 6-3, 300
DL - Corey Miller, Bloomsburg, Sr., 6-1, 252
DL - Eric Rodemoyer, Kennedy Catholic, Sr., 6-3, 305
LB - Johnny Boyd, Juniata Valley, Sr., 6-0, 190
LB - Tony DelGrosso, Bellwood-Antis, Sr., 6-0, 220
LB - Paul Forcellini, Bishop Carroll, Sr., 5-10, 195
LB - Matt Stay, Beth-Center, Sr., 6-0, 230
DB - Kyle Connaghan, Southern Columbia, Sr., 6-2, 205
DB - Corey Lightner, Juniata Valley, Sr., 6-0, 165
DB - Casey Quinn, Bishop Canevin, Sr., 6-3, 210
DB - Zach Reinhart, Wyalusing, Sr., 5-8, 153
P - Jarryd Summers, Sharpsville, Jr., 6-3, 185
All-Purpose - Derek Moye, Rochester, Jr., 6-5, 175

TE - Will Kelly, Loyalsock Township, Jr., 6-3, 178
WR - Dom Britton, Steelton-Highspire, Sr., 5-7, 145
WR - Josh Schneider, Muncy, Sr., 5-10, 156
WR - Koury Kaplafka, Shenandoah Valley, Jr., 5-9, 170
OL - Cory Cromwell, Southern Huntingdon, Sr., 5-11, 231
OL - Jarrett Polites, Bishop Carroll, Sr., 6-3, 268
OL - Rick Schmader, Clarion, Sr., 6-5, 223
OL - Andy Spencer, Bishop Guilfoyle, Sr., 6-3, 285
OL - Steve Wagner, Northern Bedford, Sr., 6-2, 235
QB - Jerel Lewis, Steelton-Highspire, Sr., 6-2, 185
RB - Jackson Latimore, Cardinal Brennan, Jr., 5-11, 190
RB - Chris Muvdi, Reading Holy Name, Sr., 5-8, 160
RB - Nick Sipes, Curwensville, Jr., 5-10, 205
K - Andre Batista, Southern Huntingdon, Sr., 5-10, 150
All-Purpose - Jared Johnson, Wyalusing, Sr., 6-1, 184

DEFENSE

DL - Dave Cochran, Canton, Sr., 5-11, 175
DL - Joe Hahn, Cardinal Brennan, Sr., 6-3, 230
DL - Greg Karlowsky, Charleroi, Sr., 6-5, 275
DL - Michael Schlauch, Bloomsburg, So, 5-10, 211
LB - John Erickson, Calvary Christian Academy, Sr., 6-2, 195
LB - Devon Lindsey, Lackawanna Trail, Sr., 5-9, 190
LB - Dave Reber, Schuylkill Haven, Sr., 6-0, 186
LB - Sal Ruggeri, South Side Beaver, Jr., 5-10, 170
DB - Jared Bilchak, Portage, Sr., 6-0, 160
DB - Brandon Boyd, Ligonier Valley, So, 5-11, 142
DB - Kevin Stephenson, Fairview, Sr., 5-10, 190
DB - Donte Valentino, California, So., 5-7, 155
P - Andrew Bosman, Springdale, Sr., 5-10, 173
All-Purpose - Josh Kotula, Windber, Jr., 5-8, 152