Fox Chapel’s Gizzo, Freeport’s Kemp named Valley News Dispatch Football Players of the Year

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, December 16, 2017 | 10:08 PM

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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Nick Gizzo

Fox Chapel, sr., QB/DB, 6-foot-1, 189 pounds

Nick Gizzo didn't know in the moment just what he was accomplishing during Fox Chapel's game Sept. 29 at Moon.

It being a road game, the public-address announcer didn't note when Gizzo surpassed 200 rushing yards in the first half — he learned that from a Fox Chapel assistant coach at halftime. Nor did he find out until the next day that he broke the school's single-game record for rushing, with 312 yards on just 14 carries in the Foxes' 49-6 victory.

“I was just feeling it that game, I guess,” Gizzo said. “I don't know; I just did what I did. My O-line was great, and I just did what I know how to do.”

Gizzo, Fox Chapel's senior quarterback, spent plenty of time in the zone this season. With senior running back Micah Morris, he formed a lethal one-two punch that defenses struggled to contain all season.

Morris provided the power, Gizzo the speed. Gizzo rushed for 1,278 yards and a team-high 19 touchdowns as he and Morris became the first Fox Chapel teammates in 20 years to surpass 1,000 yards on the ground in the regular season.

Not to be made one-dimensional, Gizzo added 896 passing yards and five touchdowns.

“I think I performed well. I couldn't have done anything I did without my O-line, all of them,” Gizzo said. “Micah, too. He helped me a lot, and all my receivers. But I think I performed well as an individual.”

The offensive output helped Fox Chapel reach the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs, the team's first appearance since 2014, and the Foxes came within a touchdown of knocking off No. 1 Penn-Trafford.

Because of his efforts, Gizzo — who picked up his first scholarship offer this week, from Lawrence Tech (Mich.) and plans to follow in his parents' footsteps by majoring in business wherever he goes — is the Valley News Dispatch Offensive Player of the Year, edging his teammate Morris, Highlands' Seth Cohen and Freeport's Austin Romanchak for the honors.

How do you feel about the season overall?

I think we had a great season. We all worked so hard to achieve what we achieved. We've been working a long time to get to the playoffs, and we got that. But ultimately, we didn't reach our goal of a championship, but we still had a great season.

What was the most memorable moment?

I think for sure the last drive against Woodland Hills when we drove down and scored on offense to go up 22-21 and then we stopped them on defense, and we won that game.

How important was it to make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2014?

It was so important. When we were freshmen, we watched the seniors do that, and we all really wanted to do that. We all wanted to do what they did and better, and we worked for four years to achieve that and achieved it. We tried to change the whole culture of football at Fox Chapel. That's one of the things we wanted to do.

How much do you think the underclassmen can build off those accomplishments?

I think they can, if they really want to and work hard, I think they can achieve what we did and better.

You seemed pretty disappointed not getting all-conference.

Yeah, I was. But it happens. I'm not knocking anybody who did get it because they're all deserving, but I just think I deserved it.

When you broke the record against Moon, did you realize what you were doing as it was happening?

I had no idea. In the first half, I had no idea. My coach came up to me and said, “You just rushed for 236 yards in the first half.” I couldn't believe it.

Did they make an announcement at the game?

No, they didn't. I didn't even know until a day later, the next morning.

How much did you and Micah feed off each other?

Me and Micah have been together since eighth grade now. We just know how to play with each other, we know what we both can do, and you can't stop us both. No team can stop us both, so that's just what we do. We just work off each other.

What's your best attribute as a football player?

I think my speed and quickness and making sure everybody knows what to do, making sure we get the right play call in.

Are there any players you look up to?

One guy I've always loved is Peyton Manning, for sure. He was the first jersey I ever had. Just the way he prepared for the game, the way he loved the game for that many years just really rubbed off on me.

Do you have a favorite Manning commercial?

I don't, but I love seeing him on TV.

So were you a Steelers fan, too?

I was a Peyton Manning fan, but I'm a Steelers fan, too.

Any college teams you root for?

Pitt's probably my favorite team, but I just like watching college football.

Who's your pick for the national championship?

Oklahoma. I like Baker Mayfield a lot. I love how he plays, how he's confident.

Were there any players you tried to mold yourself after?

Not really. I just did what I could do. I didn't really base it off anybody else.

Outside of football, what are your favorite things to do?

Hang out with friends, hang out with family, stuff like that.

What's your favorite place to go with friends?

Go to eat. We go to wing night on Wednesdays with the football team, so we still do that.

Where do you go?

Middle Road Inn. It's a local place. Best wings.

Do you have a sauce you like to get?

MRI sauce. It's their own special sauce. I don't even know how to describe it.

Favorite TV show?

I like “SportsNation.” I just like how they try to have fun with sports.

Do you have any nicknames?

Everybody always calls me by my last name, Gizzo or Giz. That's about it.

Any supersitions?

I have an undershirt I've worn every game since eighth grade. It's a Nike undershirt cutoff. (It's) red.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Austin Kemp

Freeport, sr., OL/LB, 5-foot-11, 215 pounds

Years ago, Austin Kemp and a group of his friends climbed to the roof of Freeport's elementary school, one of many “mischievous things” he said the group has done in its time together. Somehow they managed to avoid too much trouble.

Freeport's star inside linebacker got into a scrap or two on the field this season, too, such as in the Yellowjackets' playoff-clinching win over Keystone Oaks, when an opposing player was ejected after a late-game tussle with Kemp.

Is Kemp a trash talker? Perhaps not the biggest one on the team, but he admits to doing it sometimes.

“It depends,” he said. “If I get really mad, I'll probably talk a lot. But if not, then I'll probably keep my mouth shut. But we had a problem with that, and then we had to run a lot. After the Keystone Oaks game, when I was waving goodbye to the guy I got into it with, after that game we had to do a bunch of sprints. It was awful.”

Thing is, Kemp backed up his words with strong play. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound inside linebacker earned Allegheny Conference co-defensive player of the year honors after leading the team with more than 100 tackles, plus three sacks, as the Yellowjackets (7-3) finished second in the Allegheny and advanced to the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.

His biggest stop came in a 24-17 win over Shady Side Academy, when he dropped quarterback Skyy Moore on fourth down to preserve a 24-17 victory.

“I obviously couldn't have done it without the rest of my team,” Kemp said. “My defensive line, they had their hands full most of the time, which pretty much kept me to scrape all over the field.”

Kemp, who also earned first-team all-conference honors as an offensive lineman, said he “flipped a switch” and improved greatly from his junior season. Freeport's defensive leader always seemed to find the ball carrier when the game was on the line.

Outside of football, he's a state medalist in the shot put and works as a cook at Rock-A-Fellas Sports Grille in Buffalo Township — try the cajun chicken alfredo, he says.

But his work on the field earns him Valley News Dispatch Defensive Player of the Year honors, a runaway candidate for the award.

Kemp is considering playing football in college and majoring in physical therapy, though nothing is set in stone yet.

How do you feel the season went?

I honestly feel it went fantastic. Obviously it wasn't a picture-perfect ending, but we've got to take what we got. Seven and two in the conference is a great season.

What was the most memorable part for you?

Definitely when we played Shady Side (Academy). We were down 10 points (in the third quarter and came back). On fourth down, when Skyy Moore scrambled and it was just me and him in the open field, and I made that tackle.

Is that No. 1 in your high school career, too?

Yes, for sure. I had some ups and downs. My junior year, I didn't perform as well as I expected, but I think as an individual I flipped a switch this year.

Was there something that changed this year for you?

I started to train with a new guy. He knows his stuff. He pretty much got me physically tougher, and he got me mentally tougher, too. I could just go into games and flip the switch and just be a completely different person.

How did you feel about being conference defensive player of the year?

It was honestly amazing. Prior to the season that's what I set my goals for, for first-team offense, first-team defense and defensive player of the year. Fortunately I achieved them all. That was really exciting for me.

Who was the toughest offensive guy you faced?

(Seton LaSalle running back) Lionel Deanes, for sure. That kid is as strong as a bull, and he broke a lot of tackles and had a lot of yards. He had over 5,000 yards in his career, so obviously the kid's doing something right.

What's your best skill as a player?

I'd honestly say pursuing the man with the ball. I think I have a nose for the football.

Is that something you've always had?

I think I've always had it. Last year, my junior year, I played defensive line, so I had my hands full all the time and couldn't really scrape that much. But this year, I started to realize the ability that I had.

How did you like moving from defensive line to linebacker?

It was amazing. I wanted to play inside ‘backer since I was a freshman, but I always played wherever I would be the best fit for my team.

Who's your favorite pro player?

My favorite linebacker's Ryan Shazier from the Steelers, and probably Von Miller from the Broncos.

What do those guys do that you like?

They just have a nose for the ball, and they play really, really good football.

What do you think about the Shazier injury?

I thought it was awful. I'm super glad he's able to walk again because it's just bigger than the game.

Any favorite college or pro teams?

My favorite college team is Penn State, and pro team is obviously the Steelers.

Any guys at Penn State you like?

Probably my favorite player is Saquon Barkley. He's just an animal.

Any plans to play in college?

I probably am. If I can get my school paid for, it's kind of stupid not to play. Obviously, I'm not the kid getting Division I looks.

How would you grade your skills on a scale of 1-10?

I'd say an 8.

What's your favorite thing to cook at Rock-A-Fellas?

We have this chicken alfredo there, and it's really good.

Can you make it at home at all, or is it strictly work?

It's pretty much strictly work. I'll cook it for myself sometimes, but since it??s the most expensive thing on our menu, it's a little bit frowned upon.

What's your favorite thing to cook for yourself?

We have a buffalo chicken sandwich that's really good, and I eat those a lot.

Do you play any other sports?

Yeah, track and lacrosse.

Outside of sports, what do you like to do?

I go to the gym a lot. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I like to hunt sometimes. And I'm really committed to my schoolwork.

What's your favorite subject?

Probably the human anatomy class I'm in right now.

What do you do with your friends?

We like to go out to eat or do some mischievous things. Just like your typical teenagers, I guess.

What was your best mischievous thing?

Geez. We climbed up on the roof of the elementary school once, but that was years ago.

Did you get in trouble?

I don't think. I think down the road somebody got in trouble for it, but never me or my friends.

What was the last movie you saw in theaters?

“Get Out.” I thought it was great. It definitely boggled my mind the entire time. It was absolutely insane.

Favorite TV show?

Probably “Family Guy.” I've been watching “Family Guy” since I was in fifth or sixth grade.

Any football superstitions?

Yeah. I have to knock on my locker a certain number of times before every game. Honestly, I'm not really sure (how many times). It's a certain rhythm that I had set in my head.

First team all-stars

Alex Bellinotti

Jr., TE/LB, Burrell

Two-way star led Bucs with 95 tackles and also paced team in receiving yards and touchdowns. … He got first-team all-conference nod on offense and defense for the second straight year.

Logan Bitar

Jr., RB/DB, Burrell

Burrell's top offensive threat rushed for 1,231 yards and seven touchdowns. … He surpassed 100 yards six times in 10 games and averaged 5.4 yards per rush.

Matt Charlton

Sr., OL/DL, Freeport

All-conference left tackle helped power Freeport's strong rushing game and added 26 tackles on defense. … The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder has a pair of FCS offers.

Jesse Cohen

Sr., OL/DL, Fox Chapel

The anchor of Fox Chapel's offensive line from his left tackle spot helped the Foxes rush for more than 3,000 yards in 11 games. … He committed to play at Bryant.

Seth Cohen

Jr., QB, Highlands

First-year starter became a prolific passer, throwing for 2,001 yards and 24 touchdowns. … He set single-game school records with 412 yards and seven TDs against New Castle.

Jack Colecchi

Jr., WR/DB, Kiski Area

Breakout performer was big part of Kiski Area's improved passing game. … Go-to receiver caught 32 passes for 714 yards and six touchdowns.

Jared Colton

Jr., WR/DB, Deer Lakes

A threat on the outside, he caught 30 passes for 448 yards and four touchdowns. … He added 38 tackles, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries on defense.

Logan Crise

Sr., WR/DB, Highlands

He filled a variety of roles for the Rams, catching 24 passes, intercepting three and returning two kickoffs for scores. … Scored touchdowns via reception, rush, interception and kick return.

Drew Dinunzio-Biss

Jr., RB/LB Kiski Area

Hard hitter broke former Pitt star Scott McKillop's Kiski Area record for career tackles. … He made 111 tackles, added four sacks and averaged 8.2 yards per carry on offense.

Romello Freeman

Sr., WR/DB, Highlands

He had 766 receiving yards and 11 TDs, averaging nearly 30 yards per catch. … Biggest game came against Blackhawk, when he caught four passes for 266 yards and four TDs.

Ross Greece

Sr., RB/LB, Kiski Area

Lining up in variety of spots, he rushed for 468 yards and nine TDs, added 20 receptions and returned a kick for a score. … Had 74 tackles and a sack after moving from safety to linebacker.

Josh Harmon

Sr., RB/DB, Springdale

The wing in Springdale's traditional Wing-T, he rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and 13 TDs and also was a threat in passing game. … He returned an interception for a score in playoff-clinching win over GCC.

Logan Harmon

Fr., RB/LB, Apollo-Ridge

Stout freshman battled injuries but still rushed for 618 yards and 10 touchdowns for young Vikings team. … He added team-high 68 tackles on defense.

Darius Johnson

Jr., WR/DB, Valley

Emerging playmaker caught four touchdown passes, mainly of the deep variety. … All-conference defensive back returned an interception for a score.

Micah Morris

Sr., RB/DL, Fox Chapel

Powerful 6-foot-2, 230-pound bruiser led team with 1,322 yards, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. … He scored 14 touchdowns, including five in a win over Hampton.

Austin Romanchak

Jr., QB/DB, Freeport

Yellowjackets' top playmaker rushed for 13 touchdowns, threw for six and returned an interception for another. … Elusive dual-threat QB accounted for about 1,800 total yards and intercepted three passes.

Deonte Ross

Jr., RB/LB, Valley

Powerful runner had four 100-yard rushing performances and six touchdowns in eight games. … Playing defense for the first time, he led the Vikings in tackles.

Jake Sarver

Sr., WR/DB/K/P, Freeport

Versatile player led team in receptions, intercepted a pass and was all-conference punter and kicker. … After taking over at QB in playoffs, he threw for 167 yards.

David Schuffert

Jr., OL/DL, Valley

Two-way lineman provided push for run game on offense and pressure on defense. … Named first-team all-conference at both spots.

Conor Selinger

Jr., RB/LB, Freeport

He rushed for 700 yards and seven touchdowns as thunder to Romanchak's lightning. … Finished second on team in tackles and returned two interceptions for scores.

Joe Sodowsky

Sr,, OL/DL, Apollo-Ridge

Steady, reliable three-year starter provided leadership for young team and was named Allegheny Conference's top offensive and defensive lineman. … Had two sacks from defensive tackle spot.

Charlie Sprague

Sr,, OL/DL, Springdale

Left tackle led the way for Dynamos' always-strong rushing game. … Named first-team all-conference, the only lineman to receive a vote from every team.

Chase Villani

Sr., RB/LB, Fox Chapel

Shady Side Academy transfer led playoff team with 96 tackles, plus four sacks. … He rushed for 277 yards, averaging 5 yards per carry.

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Second team all-stars

Andrew Berkoben, Sr., OL/DL, Springdale

Devon Binz, Jr., RB/DB, Riverview

Jake Blumer, So., RB/DB, Leechburg

Billy Conley, Sr., OL/DL, Riverview

Ryan Corrigan, Sr., RB/LB, Springdale

Johnny Crise, So., WR/DB, Highlands

Tanner Dudek, Jr., WR/K/P, Leechburg

Karrson Ewing, Sr., TE/DL, Plum

Kyle Fitzroy, Sr., QB/DE, Apollo-Ridge

Noah Gillette,Jr.,FB/LB, Highlands

Chancelour Jones, Sr., LB, Freeport

Colin Kadlick, Jr., TE/DL, Deer Lakes

Parker Kline, Sr., RB/LB, Springdale

Troy Kuhn, Jr., TE/LB, Kiski Area

Scott Landis, Sr., RB/LB, Springdale

Riley Michael, Sr., OL/DL, Fox Chapel

Cody Peace, Sr., TE/DL, Apollo-Ridge

Colt Robb, Sr., RB/DB, Plum

Garret Schaffhauser, So., TE/DL, Freeport

Josh Solomon, Sr., RB/DB, Deer Lakes

Tyler Sportelli, Sr., FB/LB, Highlands

Dakota Sunday, Sr., FB/LB, Plum

Christian Tamburro, Sr., TE/DL, Riverview

Daniel Thimons, So., OL/DL, Highlands

Cole Waxter, Jr., WR/DB, Fox Chapel

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski School, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Springdale, Valley