A-K Valley high school football players to watch for Nov. 7, 2025

By: Michael Love
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | 4:36 PM

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Player of the week

Jaden McCray

Apollo-Ridge, Sr., RB/WR/DB

McCray has been a dual threat in the Vikings’ offense all season, especially in a WPIAL Class 2A first-round win over Riverside last Friday at Owens Field. McCray ran the ball just eight times, but he totaled 63 yards and all four Apollo-Ridge touchdowns. He added four receptions from senior Alex Clawson for 31 yards. For the season, McCray leads the rushing attack with 12 scores and also fronts the passing game with 43 catches for 800 yards, an 18.6-yard average, and six TDs. McCray expects to again be front and center Friday as the Vikings (8-3) face No. 2 Western Beaver (9-1) in the quarterfinals.

Players to watch

Dawson Gaillot

Freeport, Sr., TE/LB

At 6-foot and 205 pounds, Gaillot is a commanding presence on both sides of the football who can make an impact at a moment’s notice. Last week against Beaver, he complemented senior Amos Glenn in the run game with 45 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. Freeport’s leading tackler (102) also made nine stops to help lift the Yellowjackets to the quarterfinals for the fifth time in six seasons.

Preston Clemens

Apollo-Ridge, So., RB/LB

Clemens recorded season highs in rushes (11) and rushing yards (84) in helping the Vikings roll past Riverside, 28-7, last Friday in their WPIAL first-round game. Clemens added to a successful breakout season for Apollo-Ridge. He is among the leaders in the Vikings’ run game with 67 carries for 448 yards and two touchdowns over 11 games.

Bryson Paga

Freeport, Jr., WR/LB

The Yellowjackets defense is known for flying to the football with speed and aggressiveness, and Paga has been at the heart of that effort all season. Paga averages 6.3 tackles. He tallied eight stops, including a pair of sacks, and intercepted a pass in Freeport’s WPIAL Class 3A first-round victory over Beaver. It was his first interception of the season.

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: Apollo-Ridge, Freeport