2022 WPIAL All-Conference Football: Penn Hills, Pine-Richland lead Class 5A Northeast honors
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Wednesday, December 14, 2022 | 5:00 PM
Penn Hills quarterback Julian Dugger eludes Pine-Richland defenders during their game on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, in Penn Hills.
The playoff race in the Northeast was among the most competitive in the WPIAL, depth that showed in the all-conference team.
Penn Hills saw a conference-best eight players earn first-team honors including quarterback Julian Dugger and running back Amir Key, despite narrowly missing the postseason. Pine-Richland, the eventual WPIAL and PIAA champion, had seven players selected and Jon LeDonne was named the conference’s top coach.
The team was chosen by a vote of coaches before the playoffs.
Pine-Richland’s Ryan Palmieri, who starred on both sides of the ball in the state finals, earned first-team honors on offense. Three of the team’s offensive linemen also were honored.
The Rams (4-1) won the Northeast title, ahead of Woodland Hills (3-2), Penn Hills (3-2) and North Hills (3-2). North Hills had six players selected, and Woodland Hills had four.
First team offense
Name, School, Pos., Ht., Wt., Yr.
Isaiah Kerns, Pine-Richland, C, 6-1, 170, sr.
Logan Greer, North Hills, G, 6-3, 260, sr.
Ryan Cory, Pine-Richland, G, 6-4, 290, jr.
Jake Beam, Pine-Richland, OT, 6-4, 275, sr.
Kellen McDonough, Woodland Hills, OT, 6-5, 267, sr.
Brandon London, Shaler, TE, 6-2, 245, jr.
Julian Dugger, Penn Hills, QB, 6-2, 185, jr.
Amir Key, Penn Hills, RB, 5-8, 195, jr.
Luke Cignetti, Shaler, RB, 5-10, 195, sr.
Joe DeSabato, Shaler, WR, 5-10, 170, jr.
William “Scoop” Smith, Woodland Hills, WR, 5-7, 147, fr.
Cooper Thompson, North Hills, At-Large, 5-11, 160, sr.
Ryan Palmieri, Pine-Richland, At-Large, 5-11, 180, sr.
Grant Argiro, Pine-Richland, K, 6-1, 190, so.
First team defense
Name, School, Pos., Ht., Wt., Yr.
Sam Coldren, North Hills, DE, 6-1, 205, sr.
Cruz McMillan, Woodland Hills, DE, 6-5, 193, sr.
Carter Lance, Penn Hills, DT, 6-2, 250, jr.
Mejaun Rose, Woodland Hills, DT, 6-6, 297, jr.
Naytell Mitchell, Penn Hills, ILB, 5-10, 185, so.
Max Heckert, Pine-Richland, ILB, 6-0, 220, sr.
Tajaun Bandy, Penn Hills, OLB, 5-10, 175, jr.
James Grandstaff, North Hills, OLB, 6-0, 180, sr.
Raion Strader, Penn Hills, DB, 6-0, 175, sr.
Andrew Mellis, Pine-Richland, DB, 5-10, 185, sr.
D’Andre Cochran, Penn Hills, DB, 5-9, 175, jr.
Cameron Thomas, Penn Hills, DB, 5-9, 180, jr.
Julius Green, North Hills, At-Large, 6-0, 186, so.
John Green Jr., North Hills, P, 5-9, 174, sr.
Coach of the Year: Jon LeDonne, Pine-Richland
2022 All-Conference Football Teams
Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.
Tags: Fox Chapel, North Hills, Penn Hills, Pine-Richland, Shaler, Woodland Hills
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