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

By: Michael Love
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | 5:36 PM

Previous Next

Players to watch

Amos Glenn

Freeport, Sr., RB

The Yellowjackets tailback hopes to have the same type of game against Indiana on Friday as he did in a breakout performance last year against the Indians. In that 30-7 victory, Glenn carried the ball 23 times for 167 yards as Freeport’s run game collected 335 yards on 45 attempts. He went on to post a team-best 1,354 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns as the Yellowjackets went 8-4 and made the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.

Aven Shirley

Kiski Area, Sr., WR/DB

The Cavaliers got off to a great start last season with a 42-7 Week Zero rout of Knoch, and Shirley was a big part of that offensive effort. He delivered in all phases and made an impact by returning the opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. Shirley added six catches for 68 yards and was a spark on defense with a team-best seven tackles. Shirley again is expected to be a big part of the game plan on both sides of the ball Friday in another matchup with the Knights.

Logan Thies

Highlands, So., QB/DE

Thies originally was a linebacker, but he moved to defensive end for his freshman season last fall when a need necessitated the change. He didn’t disappoint as he recorded 86 tackles and nine sacks as the Golden Rams qualified for the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs and advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to No. 1 Imani Christian in heartbreaking fashion. Highlands coach Matt Bonislawski said he hopes to get Thies involved more in the offense and have him make an impact on both sides of the ball Friday in the Golden Rams’ Week Zero clash with Armstrong.

Harran Zureikat

Fox Chapel, Sr., K/P

If Fox Chapel finds itself in a number of close games this season, special teams will be key to a positive outcome. And the Foxes will be confident putting Zureikat in the spotlight, including Friday night when they open at home against Allderdice. A conference and Valley News Dispatch all-star last year, Zureikat has committed to kick at Georgia and was recently selected to play in the Under Armour All-American game.

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: Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski Area