2025 Trib HSSN Football Player of the Year

Kemon Spell

School: McKeesport

Position: Running back/defensive back

Class: Junior

When an ankle injury kept McKeesport’s Kemon Spell from impacting a football game in his usual ways, the running back took on other roles to contribute.

He was out but not idle.

“I had to lead by example no matter what, whether I was playing or not playing,” said Spell, who missed three games and most of a fourth during an early season stretch.

He found ways to stay involved.

“I’m teaching (teammates) on the sideline how to form tackle,” Spell said. “I’m on the sideline using a roller on guys that are cramping up. Bringing the water out on the (field). Trying to tell them what to do on each play. Doing the things I could do.”

Once his ankle healed up, Spell got back to doing things on the field that only he can.

Considered the top junior running back in the country, Spell recovered and rushed for 1,755 yards on 136 carries while leading McKeesport to the WPIAL finals for the third year in a row. He scored 32 touchdowns and reached the end zone in four different ways, including on punt and kickoff returns.

His talents and resilience helped to make him the 2025 Trib HSSN Football Player of the Year.

One of his best games was a 331-yard, three-touchdown rushing effort in the WPIAL semifinals, highlighted by a 97-yard sprint to the end zone. A week later, he ran 68 yards for a touchdown in the finals on McKeesport’s first play from scrimmage.

“He can do every move that he has in fifth gear,” McKeesport coach Matt Miller said late in the season. “He doesn’t slow down to make a cut. He doesn’t slow down to make a spin move. And on top of that, he’s 210 pounds and runs a 4.38 (second time in the) 40. He’s a power running back and a shifty running back, but he has breakaway speed.”

The team went 8-1 when Spell played the whole game and 1-3 when he didn’t.

Recruiting analysts at Rivals, ESPN and 247Sports all agree that Spell is the No. 1 running back prospect nationally in the 2027 class. Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, Notre Dame and Ole Miss are among the colleges recruiting him since he decommitted from Penn State.

HSSN’s Don Rebel talked with the newly crowned player of the year on the Rebel Yell podcast.