4 Clairton players among 16 from WPIAL named to PSFCA East-West Small School all-star game

By: Paul Schofield
Monday, February 23, 2026 | 12:41 PM

WPIAL and PIAA Class A champion Clairton had four players named to the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association small school West roster.

The small school teams were released Monday, and the big school roster will be announced Tuesday.

The West squad featured 16 players from WPIAL schools who will play against the East squad at noon May 17 at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg. The big school game is at 5 p.m.

Clairton will be represented by quarterback Jeff Thompson, running back Donte Wright, athlete Taris Wooding and linebacker Tahvaz Armstrong.

Thompson completed 146 of 190 passes for 2,610 yards and 39 touchdowns this season and also rushed for 210 yards and scored eight touchdowns.

Wright rushed for 525 yards, caught 25 passes for 619 yards and scored 18 touchdowns.

Running back Luca Neal, who starred for WPIAL and PIAA Class 3A champion Avonworth, was also selected after he rushed for 787 yards, caught 48 passes for 1,028 yards and scored 24 touchdowns.

Jeannette, Central Valley, South Allegheny and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart each had two players selected.

The Jayhawks named were wide receiver Noah Sunder and lineman Wyatt Schaeffer.

The Gladiators on the team are lineman Markus Hanson and wide receiver Drew Cook, who had 47 catches for 797 yards and 21 touchdowns.

The Warriors picked were tight end Lukas Gerovac and offensive lineman Brendan Alexander.

The Chargers who were selected included offensive lineman Aarron Massie and safety Owen Nestor.

Also named were Greensburg Central Catholic safety Samir Crosby, Apollo Ridge wide receiver Jaden McCray and Cornell defensive back Khylil Johnson.

McCray had 43 catches for 800 yards and 18 touchdowns.

St. Marys’ Chris Dworek will be West team head coach. Laurel’s Brian Cooper will be an assistant coach.

“These teams represent the very best of Pennsylvania high school football — athletes who have distinguished themselves through hard work, leadership and outstanding performance,” said Josh Oswalt, PSFCA associate executive director. “We’re excited to bring together elite players and respected coaches for an unforgettable showcase of talent and pride across our state.”

Pennsylvania’s roster for the annual Big 33 game, played against all-stars from Maryland, was announced last week.

2026 West Small School roster

Brendan Alexander, OL, Central Valley

Tahvaz Armstrong, OLB, Clairton

Delathian Boanes, DE, Grove City

Drew Cook, WR, South Allegheny

Samir Crosby, S, Greensburg Central Catholic

Andrew Field, ILB, St. Marys

Grady Fisher, K/P, Bald Eagle Area

Kingston Fisher, DE, Montoursville

Lukas Gerovac, TE, Central Valley

Colin Gibbons, CB, Bellwood-Antis

Markus Hanson, OL, South Allegheny

Charlie Hepfl, LS, Central Clarion

Hayden Hindman, DE, Central Clarion

Brodie Hollis, DT, Richland

Maddox Jarzynski, OLB, Trinity (Camp Hill)

Jeremiah Johnson, DT, Loyalsock

Khylil Johnson, CB, Cornell

Brady Jones, QB, Penn Cambria

Aarron Massie, OLSH, OL

Joe McAneny, OLB, Richland

Jaden McCray, WR, Apollo-Ridge

Samul Mulbah, OL, Trinity (Camp Hill)

Landen Murray, WR, Mifflinburg

Luca Neal, RB, Avonworth

Owen Nestor, S, OLSH

Matthew Paulus, ILB, Big Spring

Braylen Phillips, K, Philipsburg-Osceola

Dameon Reese, DT, Trinity (Camp Hill)

Anthony Rivello, OL, Huntingdon

Wyatt Schaeffer, OL, Jeannette

Dayne Summerville, OL, Penn Cambria

Noah Sunder, WR, Jeannette

Jeff Thompson III, QB, Clairton

Nick Wilfong, CB, Port Allegany

Taris Wooding, ATH, Clairton

Donte Wright, RB, Clairton

Head coach: Chris Dworek, St. Marys

Assistant coaches: Brian Cooper, Laurel; Ryan Donaldson, Meyersdale; Lou McElwee, United; Bill Morrison, Brookville; Joe Sinkovich, Big Spring

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Avonworth, Central Valley, Clairton, Cornell, Greensburg C.C., Jeannette, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, South Allegheny