A-K Valley high school football players to watch for 2024 Week 8

By: Michael Love
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 | 7:48 PM

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Player of the week

Darian Nelson

Plum, sr., WR/DB

The Mustangs were looking for a spark after a rugged three-game stretch with losses to Pine-Richland, Penn-Trafford and North Hills. Nelson was able to provide that lift last Friday against Fox Chapel as he carried the ball eight times for 153 yards and two touchdowns, caught two passes for 20 yards, and also completed all four of his pass attempts for 79 yards in a 49-10 Northeast Conference victory over Fox Chapel on senior night at Mustangs Stadium. The victory kept Plum (2-6, 2-2) alive in the hunt for one of the conference’s automatic playoff berths. Nelson, who now has six total touchdowns (three receiving, three rushing), hopes to be an impact player again Friday as the Mustangs face rival Kiski Area.

Players to watch

Vinny DeFelice

Knoch, jr., WR/DB

With the Knights banged up at several positions, including at wide receiver, DeFelice stepped up for his team and helped deliver a much-needed Greater Allegheny Conference win last Friday. DeFelice caught six passes from senior quarterback Codi Mullen for 146 yards and a touchdown in a 38-14 victory over Hampton. His 66-yard TD catch put the Knights ahead 14-0 in the first quarter. DeFelice and his Knoch teammates control their own destiny for a WPIAL Class 4A playoff spot, and that quest continues Friday against West Mifflin.

Prince Govan

Riverview, jr., WR/DB

Prince was a king Saturday as Riverview had a field day in a 55-20 Eastern Conference victory over Frazier at Riverside Park in Oakmont. Govan helped spearhead a solid defensive effort for the Raiders (3-4, 2-3). His first quarter interception return for a touchdown, one of four picks Riverview recorded on the day, was one of three first-quarter scores en route to a 35-14 halftime lead. Govan and his Riverview teammates are back in action Saturday against Clairton at Thomas Jefferson.

Logan Thies

Highlands, fr., LB

Thies has been a key contributor on defense in his varsity debut. He delivered a team-best 11 tackles in the Golden Rams’ 61-0 rout of Burrell last Friday in Allegheny 7 Conference play. For the season, Thies has recorded 43 stops, good for second on the team, and has a team-high three sacks to his credit. Thies and his Highlands teammates turn their attention this week to a nonconference matchup at McGuffey.

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: Highlands, Knoch, Plum, Riverview