A-K Valley football players to watch in 2023 Week 7

By: Michael Love
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | 8:14 PM

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Player of the week

Jayden Floyd

Leechburg, Jr., QB

Floyd completed 15 of 28 passes for 230 yards, one of the highest yardage totals in the WPIAL for Week 6, in a loss to Jeannette on Friday. He completed a 73-yard pass to Tristan Zalenski down to the 1-yard line that set up a short TD run by Jake Cummings that gave Leechburg a 31-30 lead late in the fourth quarter. He added eight carries for 53 yards and two TD runs. Floyd and his Leechburg (4-3, 2-2) teammates hope to get back in the win column Saturday afternoon at rival Riverview.

Players to watch

Christian Brancato

Burrell, Sr., RB/LB

Brancato was a difference-maker on the defensive side of the ball in Burrell’s 33-13 victory over Ligonier Valley last Friday. He tied for a team high with seven tackles. Brancato recorded a tackle in the end zone for a safety in the third quarter that extended Burrell’s lead to 19-7. Brancato and the Bucs continue Allegheny Conference play Friday at Steel Valley.

Zach Grant

Deer Lakes, Jr., WR/DB

Grant took the opening kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown against Valley last week. He also caught two passes from senior Derek Burk for 56 yards, and his only carry of the game went for 31 yards and a touchdown. Grant is third among Lancers receivers with 15 catches for 284 yards. He hopes to be a factor again this week as Deer Lakes travels to East Allegheny for a key Allegheny 6 matchup.

Alex Schultheis

Riverview, Jr., TE/DE

A big target at 6-foot-4 and a stout blocker in the Wing-T run game, Schultheis helped Riverview top Summit Academy last Saturday with three catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. He hauled in a 42-yard pass from quarterback Rocco Cecere to give Riverview a 14-0 lead over Summit in the first quarter. Schultheis has a team-best eight catches for 282 yards and four receiving TDs.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Burrell, Deer Lakes, Leechburg, Riverview