Here’s a look at the Valley News Dispatch football all-star team for the 2025 season:
First team
Nick Anderson
Kiski Area, So., OL/DL
There was no sophomore slump for the anchor of the Kiski Area offensive line. He made things happen up front as the Cavaliers produced nearly 3,000 yards of total offense this season. Defensively, Anderson helped in the trenches and made 36 tackles with three sacks. Eight of the tackles were for a loss. The two-time VND first-team pick again grabbed the attention of Big East Conference coaches, who voted him to the first team at offensive tackle.
Timmy Andrasy
Leechburg, Sr., RB/LB
Andrasy was a workhorse in his first year as the main ball carrier for the Blue Devils, and he delivered. He rushed 220 times for 1,640 yards and 25 touchdowns in nine games as Leechburg qualified for the WPIAL playoffs for the fifth straight year. He tallied 335 yards and five touchdowns on 39 carries in a game against Brentwood, 310 yards and seven scores in a rout against Beth-Center and 257 yards and four TDs in a key conference win over Jeannette.
Joey Ashi
Deer Lakes, Sr., OL/DL
The Lancers didn’t have the season they had hoped, missing out on a berth to the WPIAL playoffs, but Ashi was among those who gave maximum effort in the pursuit of the postseason. The multi-year starter provided a veteran presence in the trenches for Deer Lakes, and his efforts were lauded by Allegheny 7 Conference coaches with selection to the first team at both offensive guard and defensive end.
Connor Bogdanski
Apollo-Ridge, Sr., OT/DT
A road grader on offense and a creator of havoc on defense, Bogdanski, at 6-foot-3 and 325 pounds, enjoyed a strong senior season in the trenches for a Vikings team that picked up some big wins this fall, including one against eventual WPIAL runner-up Steel Valley. He stood out to coaches in and out of the conference and was voted first-team All-Allegheny Conference at defensive tackle. Bogdanski also picked up second-team laurels at offensive tackle.
Alex Clawson
Apollo-Ridge, Sr. QB/S
Clawson helped the Vikings’ turnaround from one win last season to eight this year and a home playoff victory. The seasoned varsity performer threw for 1,571 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 493 yards rushing with four additional scores. He accounted for nearly 200 yards a game. The coaches in the Allegheny Conference recognized Clawson’s season performances by voting him first-team quarterback.
Dawson Gaillot
Freeport, Sr., TE/LB
At the heart of the Yellowjackets defense at inside linebacker, Gaillot’s strength and quickness combined for a standout season. He produced 106 tackles, 13 of them for a loss, while recording three sacks, two interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries. The coaches of the Allegheny 7 Conference took notice of his season production — he had 10 or more tackles six times — and voted him to the first team at inside linebacker.
Amos Glenn
Freeport, Sr., RB/LB
Glenn was a machine on offense and special teams in his final season with the Yellowjackets. The all-star performer rushed for 1,008 yards and 18 touchdowns, caught two passes for scores and returned four kicks – two punts and two kickoffs – for TDs. The coaches in the Allegheny 7 Conference recognized Glenn’s efforts with Most Valuable All-Purpose Player honors.
Frank Grazulis
Plum, Sr., OL/DL
Whether the Plum offense took to the air or looked to move the ball on the ground, Grazulis was there as an anchor up front. It all started with the veteran center who made his mark in helping Plum’s late-season surge to a WPIAL wild-card playoff spot in Class 5A. He was honored for his play by being voted to the Northeast Conference first-team offense.
CJ Hart
Plum, Jr., RB/LB
In a Northeast Conference filled with strong running backs, Hart shared first-team honors with Pine-Richland senior Maclane Miller. Hart made an impact with his mix of quickness and toughness with 533 yards on 86 carries, an average of 6.2 a tote, as the Mustangs beat Penn Hills in the conference finale to earn a wild-card playoff berth. He led the team with seven rushing scores. He also caught 10 passes for 68 yards. Hart rushed for a season-best 130 yards and two scores in a close conference loss to Shaler.
Jaden McCray
Apollo-Ridge, Sr., WR/LB
McCray was an all-around offensive threat for an Apollo-Ridge team that turned around its fortunes and made it to the second round of the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs. McCray racked up 47 catches for 841 yards and six touchdowns while compiling 325 yards and 13 scores on 57 rushes. He also was second for Apollo-Ridge in tackles (45) while recording four sacks and recovering three fumbles. He received all-conference first-team recognition at both wideout and outside linebacker.
Aiden McCurdy
Deer Lakes, Sr., OL/DL
Experience was the calling card for the Lancers offensive line, and McCurdy’s final varsity season at offensive tackle was filled with strong performances. He grew in experience last year and in size to 6-4, 270 with work in the offseason, and it paid off this fall. McCurdy, with his sights set on a football career at the next level, was rewarded for his senior-season efforts as the Allegheny 7 Conference’s Most Valuable Offensive Lineman in a vote of the conference coaches.
Antonio Perkins
Burrell, So., QB/S
The youthful Perkins, in his first year with the Bucs after transferring from Valley, broke out as a dual threat. His biggest impact was running the ball as finished the season with 1,872 yards on the ground to to break the Burrell single-season rush record for an individual set by Cole Bush (1,794) in 2012. Perkins also was selected second-team All-Allegheny 7 at defensive back after making 64 tackles and intercepting three passes for the playoff-qualifying Bucs.
Wade Potocnak
Freeport, Sr., OL/DL
Potocnak was a big cog within a formidable force in the trenches for a Freeport team that found itself at the top of the Allegheny 7 Conference standings at the end of the regular season. Potocnak is back among the best in the VND as a first-team selection for the second year in a row. He had conference coaches again taking notice of his abilities on both sides of the ball as he was voted first team at both offensive tackle and along the defensive line.
Philup Rearick
Leechburg, Sr., OL/DL
Rearick was in the mix along the offensive and defensive lines from early on in his varsity career with the Blue Devils. His productivity on both sides of the ball didn’t wane this season as he helped an offense fronted by Timmy Andrasy churn out yardage while helping form a defensive front that was tough to break through. He finished the season with 56 tackles, eight of them for a loss, with five sacks and a fumble recovery.
Jayden Rosenberger
Leechburg, Sr., OL/DL
It was hard not to notice Rosenberger’s impact for the Blue Devils, both in terms of his size at 6-4 and 300 pounds, and his strength and skill that helped produce wins in and out of Eastern Conference play. His production didn’t drop this fall as he is a VND first-team selection for the second year in a row. Rosenberger has received offers offers from IUP, Seton Hill, Washington & Jefferson, Muskingum and others.
Drew Ross
Freeport, Sr., QB/DB
Ross was a steady force on both sides of the ball for the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinalist Yellowjackets. The second-team All-Allegheny 7 Conference quarterback, in 11 games, threw for 915 yards and 10 touchdowns against just one interception while rushing for six additional scores. Defensively, he made 31 tackles and intercepted two passes.
Aven Shirley
Kiski Area, Sr., WR/DB
Shirley started the season at quarterback, filling in for injured starter Landyn Artman in a Week Zero win over Knoch. But the veteran wideout and defensive back was more known for catching passes than throwing them. He finished with 29 catches for 502 yards, a 17.3 per-catch average, and five touchdowns. Shirley snagged a Big East Conference first-team selection on defense after recording 51 tackles and two interceptions for a Cavaliers team that earned a wild-card bid to the WPIAL playoffs.
Teegan Shirley
Kiski Area, Jr., WR/DB
The younger of the Shirley brothers in the Cavaliers machine this fall, Teegan didn’t play second fiddle in the Kiski Area passing game. He hauled in 33 passes for 533 yards, a 16.2 per-catch average, and five touchdowns. Big East coaches recognized his talents with selection to the first team at receiver. Shirley also tied for the team lead in tackles with 75, including eight for a loss, with two forced fumbles and a team-best three interceptions.
Ben Stricklin
Plum, Sr., OL/DL
Stricklin’s impact for the Mustangs was felt on both sides of the ball, and he made life difficult for opposing offensive linemen. He made 52 tackles, an average of six a game, with 16 tackles for a loss, including five sacks. Stricklin celebrated his final season with Plum with selection to the Northeast Conference first team at defensive end in a vote of the conference’s coaches.
Logan Thies
Highlands, So., QB/RB/DE
One of just two freshman to be selected to the VND first team a year ago, Thies didn’t slow down in his sophomore season as he was a force on both sides of the ball for a Highlands team that finished second in the Allegheny 7 Conference, won a home playoff game and finished the season in the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals. Thies again earned all-conference first-team honors at defensive end and also was a first-team pick as a blocking fullback/halfback in the Golden Rams offense.
Cole Troutman
Freeport, Sr., OL/DL/K
Freeport’s skill players knew that when the offense lined up for a play, they could count on Troutman to execute his blocks in the run game and protect in the pass game. The experienced lineman and multiple-time all-conference performer earns a spot on the VND first team after picking up second-team laurels a year ago. Troutman received Allegheny 7 first-team recognition this year at offensive guard. He also finished second on the team in tackles with 95.
Jahmar Wright
Highlands, Sr., WR/DB
Wright was more than all right for the Golden Rams offense as he helped front the receiving corps with 24 catches for 646 yards, a 26.9 yards-per-catch average, and four touchdowns. Wright’s talents also were evident on defense at safety as he helped make life a challenge for opposing quarterbacks, running backs and receivers. He returned three interceptions for touchdowns. Wright earned Allegheny 7 Conference first-team honors at wide receiver.
Harran Zureikat
Fox Chapel, Sr., K/P
Zureikat kicked his way into the WPIAL record books with his 57-yard field goal against Franklin Regional. The Georgia commit finished 7 of 9 on field goal attempts, missing only from 55 and 64 yards. He also punted 22 times for a 42.8 average, including five punts of more than 50 yards. Of his 34 kickoffs, 32 went for touchbacks. Zureikat, a first-team all-conference selection, will play in the Under Armour All-American Game.
Second team
Braden Anderson, Kiski Area, Sr., TE/LB
Achilles Anger-Youngblood, Highlands, So., WR/LB
Weston Baronie, Burrell, Sr., OL/DE
Thomas Billings, Fox Chapel, Sr., TE/DE
Trey Coury, Burrell, Jr., RB/DB
Roman DeFelice, Knoch, Jr., WR/DB
Lukas Duncan, Riverview, Jr., RB/LB
Miles Duncan, Riverview, Jr., RB/LB
Geno Granata, Leechburg, Sr., OL/DT
Jack Guthrie, Deer Lakes, Jr., TE/LB
Marquis Johnson, Highlands, Sr., WR/DB
Danny King, Freeport, Jr., QB/WR/DB
Kaden Levy, Riverview, Jr., RB/LB
Joah Martin, Burrell, Sr., OL/DT
Max Melocchi, Fox Chapel, Sr., FB/LB
Matt Nelson, Plum, Sr., OL/DL
Javon Norman, Valley, Sr., OL/DL
Bryson Paga, Freeport, Jr., WR/LB
Dom Sciubba, Deer Lakes, Sr., WR/DB
Niko Signor, Plum, Sr., WR/DB
Noah Stewart, Apollo-Ridge, So., OL/DL
Lucas Vacanti, Kiski Area, Sr., WR/DB
Jaxon Vargo, Leechburg, Jr., QB/DB
Sean Wilkerson, Valley, Jr., WR/DB
Gage Wingard, Apollo-Ridge, Jr., WR/DB