2011 MSA SPORTS ELITE ELEVEN

By: Bruce Markey
Friday, December 16, 2011 | 11:31 PM

The leading rusher in the history of Pennsylvania high school football and the second-leading passer in WPIAL history are two of the headliners on this year’s MSA Sports Elite 11 team.

The Elite 11 is the top 11 players in the entire WPIAL, regardless of position. It is picked by the MSA staff.

The leading rusher in state history is Hopewell running back Rushel Shell, who made the MSA Elite 11 a record four times. The second-leading passer in WPIAL history is Montour’s Dillon Buechel.

The team also includes two other running backs who rang up big career statistics, some multi-talented players and two juniors who are being heavily recruited.

Here is a look at the Elite 11

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
RUSHEL SHELL
Hopewell 6-0, 210 Sr.
RB-LB

Shell became Hopewell’s No. 1 halfback midway through his freshman season. He became Pennsylvania’s all-time leading rusher midway through the final game of his senior season.

Shell set WPIAL and Pennsylvania records for career rushing yards with 9,078 yards on 1,107 attempts. He also set what is believed to be a WPIAL record with 110 career touchdowns. And maybe the most impressive part of Shell’s resume is that he set a national record for consecutive 100-yard games with 39, breaking the old mark of 38, held by Billy Sims, who went on to win a Heisman Trophy.

This season, Shell rushed for 2,312 yards on 311 attempts and helped Hopewell reach the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals. He had 25 200-yard games in his four years, and averaged 206.3 yards rushing in 44 career games.

Shell had a number of scholarship offers from schools across the country, but committed to Pitt in October. Since Todd Graham resigned as coach, Shell has said he is still committed to Pitt, but has indicated there is a chance he could explore other options.
 

DAKOTA CONWELL
Upper St. Clair 6-1, 210 Sr.
QB-LB

One of the most versatile players in the WPIAL. Conwell was an offensive threat as a runner or passer, but also was good enough on defense to earn a Division I scholarship to play linebacker.

Conwell had 4,085 yards offense as a junior and senior. This season, he rushed for 997 yards on 119 carries and also completed 57 of 96 passes for 1,087 yards. His yardage totals would have been higher but didn’t play in the WPIAL semifinals because of an injured ankle and only played a few plays in the WPIAL final.

Conwell made a verbal commitment to Pitt this summer. He also had a few other Division I offers. Despite Todd Graham’s departure, Conwell said earlier this week he is still 100 percent committed to Pitt.
 

DEMETRIOUS COX
Jeannette 6-1, 195 Sr.
QB-DB

Cox was one of the WPIAL’s best all-around players, a standout both offensively and defensively. He rushed for 1,263 yards on 133 carries and helped Jeannette reach the WPIAL Class AA championship game. He also threw for more than 800 yards.

Cox’s best position, though, is defensive back. That is where a number of Division I colleges are recruiting him. He is one of the highest-rated defensive backs in the eastern part of the country. He has scholarship offers from Pitt, Penn State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Wisconsin, but has not made a decision yet.
 

ROBERT FOSTER
Central Valley, 6-3, 185 Jr.
WR-DB

One of two juniors on the Elite 11. Foster’s greatest attribute is speed. He might have been the fastest player in the WPIAL. He was a big-play receiver who finished with 37 catches for 584 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. But he also is a talented defensive back and helped Central Valley go 11-1 this season.

Foster is being heavily recruited. Although he is only a junior. Pitt, Penn State, Oregon, North Carolina and Ohio State are among the schools that already have offered scholarships.
 

LUKE HAGY
Mount Lebanon 5-10, 180 Sr.
RB-DB

Hagy finished his career as the third-leading rusher in WPIAL Class AAAA history with 4,795 yards. That is pretty impressive when you consider he only played three seasons of varsity football. Most of the leading rushers in WPIAL history played four seasons of varsity football.

Hagy also had 72 career touchdowns. This season, he rushed for 1,907 yards on 287 attempts. He is one of the best athletes in the WPIAL. He is the starting point guard on Mount Lebanon’s basketball team and also an outfielder in baseball.

Hagy already has made a verbal commitment to play running back at Cornell of the Ivy League. He turned down a scholarship offer from Pitt.
 

DILLON BUECHEL
Montour 6-3, 190 Sr.
QB

Buechel capped off a terrific career by helping Montour win the WPIAL Class AAA championship. He finished this season 189 of 292 for 2,811 yards and 41 touchdowns, and finished his career as the No. 2 passer in the history of the WPIAL. He was 490 of 811 for 6,899 yards. Only South Fayette’s Christian Brumbaugh (7,162) threw for more career yards.

Buechel has a scholarship offer from Duquesne, but is hoping more colleges start recruiting him. William & Mary also is showing a little interest.
 

PAT KUGLER
North Allegheny 6-4, 170 Sr.
OL-DL

Kugler, son of Steelers offensive line coach Sean Kugler, moved into the North Allegheny district from Buffalo as a sophomore. He made an immediate on the team. After becoming a starter on a state championship team as a sophomore last year, Kugler became one of the best linemen in the state as a junior.

Kugler was a force on both offense and defense for the two-time WPIAL Class AAAA champion Tigers. Has excellent quickness. He is good enough to already have close to 20 scholarship offers. Pitt, Penn State, Florida State, Michigan State, Iowa and Purdue are among the schools that have offered.

TYLER BOYD
Clairton 6-1, 174 Jr.
RB-DB
 

Clairton coach Tom Nola has had some fine players in his years with the Bears, but he says Boyd is the best. Boyd is one of the most versatile players in the WPIAL. He has rushed for 2,182 yards on 172 carries, a gaudy 12.7 average. He also has 15 receptions for Clairton. On top of that, he also is an outstanding defensive back and kick returner.

He is one of the reasons Clairton won its fourth consecutive WPIAL title. He already has a scholarship offer from Pitt, and others are interested.

JULIAN DURDEN
Montour 5-9, 175 Sr.
RB
 

Durden played his freshman and sophomore years at North Catholic and his final two seasons at Montour. He finished his career as the sixth-leading rusher in WPIAL history with 5,577 yards on 735 carries.

This season, Durden helped Montour win a WPIAL Class AAA title by rushing for 2,104 yards on 258 attempts. He already has made a verbal commitment to Kent State.
 

KEVIN HART
Seton-LaSalle 6-0, 185 Sr.
RB-DB

He was the "Hart" of Seton-LaSalle’s offense and helped the Rebels win a conference title. They also made it to the WPIAL Class AA semifinals. Hart rushed for 1,723 yards this season and finished his career with more than 3,000 yards rushing. He was also an excellent kick returner.

Hart’s father, Mark, was an outstanding running back at Mt. Lebanon in the early 1980s and went on to West Virginia. Kevin also will play college football and is being recruited as a slot receiver. He has scholarship offers from Toledo, Villanova, William & Mary, VMI and Duquesne.
 

ANTHONY NIXON
Pittsburgh Central Catholic 6-1, 196 Sr.
WR-DB 

Central Catholic coach Terry Totten often referred to Nixon as the best two-way player in the state. He led his team in receptions with 43 this season. He also was a standout defensive back for a team that finished 11-1 for the second year in a row.

Nixon committed to Maryland this summer and was recruited to play defensive back. He also had offers from Pitt, West Virginia, Iowa and Michigan State.

Tags: Central Valley, Clairton, Hopewell, Jeannette, Upper St. Clair