WPIAL champion Central Catholic was rewarded with six all-state selections after the Vikings reached the state finals for the second year in row.
Offensive linemen James Halter and Jimmy Kalis, linebackers Colsen Gatten and Roman Thompson, defensive lineman Ashton Blatt and specialist Antonio DiFatta earned all-state honors Wednesday when the PIAA Class 6A team was announced. North Allegheny’s Lincoln Hoke (defensive line) was the only other WPIAL player selected.
Central Catholic’s opponent in the state finals, La Salle College had five players selected, including senior quarterback Gavin Sidwar, the player of the year. A Missouri recruit, Sidwar passed for 3,370 yards and 40 touchdowns.
La Salle’s Brett Gordon was named coach of the year after the Explorers went 13-1 and won their second state title. The Philadelphia Catholic League team defeated Central Catholic, 34-20, in the finals earlier this month.
The all-state team was selected by a statewide vote of sportswriters.
Thompson and Gatten were the leading tacklers on a Central Catholic defense that held conference opponents to 5.8 points per game this season. Thompson, a junior, made 113 tackles, including 65 solo stops. Gatten, a Duke-bound senior, made 101 total tackles. Blatt, a senior headed to North Carolina, had a team-high 16 sacks.
On the offensive side, the blocks of Halter and Kalis helped Central Catholic rush for 2,808 yards and 55 touchdowns. Thompson, who ran for a team-best 882 yards, scored 29 times.
DiFatta went 6 for 7 on field goal attempts and converted 60 of 62 extra points. The junior also averaged 39.3 yards on 34 punts.
Hoke, a Pitt recruit, had seven sacks and 12 tackles for a loss among his 80 tackles for WPIAL runner-up North Allegheny.
2025 Pa. Class 6A All-State Football Team
Player of the Year: Gavin Sidwar, La Salle College
Coach of the Year: Brett Gordon, La Salle College
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Gavin Sidwar, La Salle College, 6-3, 190, sr.
Brooklyn Nace, Central York, 6-2, 195, sr.
Antonio Fontanez, Liberty, 6-1, 180, sr.
Cole Ordway, Easton, 6-0, 180, sr.
Running back
Marquez Wimberly, Nazareth, 5-10, 206, sr.
D’Antae Sheffey, State College, 6-0, 205, sr.
Shavane Anderson, York William Penn, 6-3, 195, sr.
Mekhi Graham, Owen J. Roberts, 5-11, 205, jr.
Wide receiver
Joey O’Brien, La Salle College, 6-5, 190, sr.
Elias Coke, Harrisburg, 6-3, 200, sr.
Brendyn Smith, Central York, 5-10, 165, sr.
Owen Johnson, La Salle College, 5-11, 180, so.
Jett Harrison, St. Joseph’s Prep, 6-2, 185, so.
Tight end
Michael Glover, Wilson, 6-2, 219, jr.
Offensive line
James Halter, Central Catholic, 6-5, 270, jr.
Grayson McKeogh, La Salle College, 6-8, 295, sr.
Max Hiller, Coatesville, 6-6, 300, jr.
Kevin Brown, Harrisburg, 6-5, 290, sr.
Jimmy Kalis, Central Catholic, 6-7, 285, jr.
Athlete
Liam Taylor, Haverford, 5-10, 200, sr.
T.J. Lawrence, Parkland, 5-11, 205, jr.
Daryus Dixon, Manheim Township, 5-11, 180, sr.
DEFENSE
Defensive line
Ashton Blatt, Central Catholic, 6-4, 230, sr.
Lincoln Hoke, North Allegheny, 6-2, 270, sr.
Abraham Sesay, Downingtown East, 6-5, 223, jr.
Isaac John Lewis, Harrisburg, 6-2, 200, jr.
Alex Haskell, St. Joseph’s Prep, 6-4, 275, sr.
Linebacker
Roman Thompson, Central Catholic, 6-0, 205, jr.
Terry Wiggins, Coatesville, 6-4, 200, sr.
Noah Ewell, Harrisburg, 5-9, 190, sr.
Sean Kilpatrick, Easton, 6-0, 220, sr.
Colsen Gatten, Central Catholic, 6-1, 215, sr.
J.P. Oates, La Salle College, 6-3, 225, sr.
Logan Wuckovich, Altoona, 6-1, 210, sr.
Defensive back
Sean McPeek, Easton, 6-4, 195, jr.
Kaleb Woseley, Imhotep Charter, 6-0, 175, so.
Jaiden Carpenter, Wilson, 6-0, 145, sr.
Masiia Acrey, St. Joseph’s Prep, 5-10, 180, jr.
Athlete
Jaiyon Lewis, Harrisburg, 5-11, 165, sr.
Jamir Duncan, Abraham Lincoln, 6-0, 160, sr.
Specialist
Antonio DiFatta, Central Catholic, 5-7, 165, jr.