A-K Valley high school football players to watch for 2025 Week 1

By: Michael Love
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | 6:50 PM

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Player of the week

John Nonnenberg

Plum, Jr., QB/DB

Junior John Nonnenberg fronted the Plum quarterback group last year by throwing for more than 500 yards and six touchdowns. Wanting to take that next step in the Mustangs offense this season, he is off to a strong start.

Nonnenberg got Plum on the board last Friday against rival Franklin Regional with a 3-yard pass to Brandon Marston. He had three passing scores by halftime and finished the game throwing four TDs as the Mustangs rolled past the Panthers, 42-13, to snap a six-game losing streak to their neighbors. Nonnenberg ended an efficient 9 of 14 for 228 yards. He didn’t throw an interception.

He and his Plum teammates hope to keep it going Friday as they open the home portion of their schedule against Latrobe.

Players to watch

Max Kratt

Riverview, Sr., WR/DB

Kratt noted after Riverview’s 34-19 Week Zero win over Beth-Center that there still are a lot of things for he and his teammates to work on before they play Valley on Saturday. But the victory, he said, was a good start with a lot of positives, and he played a big part in that. Kratt collected 81 receiving yards and also rushed for 55 yards. His 1-yard TD plunge in the fourth quarter capped Riverview’s scoring and helped salt the game away.

Jaden McCray

Apollo-Ridge, Sr., WR/LB

McCray was a dual threat in the Vikings’ Week Zero victory over rival Leechburg at Owens Field. He was the top target for quarterback Alex Clawson, finishing with seven catches for 122 yards and a touchdown in the 20-16 triumph. He added seven carries for 24 yards as the Apollo-Ridge run game collected 121 yards on 30 attempts. McCray hopes to be a difference maker again this Friday as the Vikings take on Jeannette.

Ashton Taylor

Kiski Area, Fr., RB/LB

Taylor has Norwin taking notice. The Cavaliers visit the Knights this week, and Taylor put a lot of good things on film last Friday in Kiski Area’s 21-0 victory over Knoch at Richard Dilts Stadium. Taylor helped put the game away in the fourth quarter with a 6-yard TD run. He carried the ball 22 times in all for 121 yards.

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: Kiski Area, Latrobe, Plum, Riverview