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

By: Michael Love
Thursday, September 10, 2020 | 12:01 AM

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Dylan Cook

Leechburg, sr., QB

The veteran quarterback hopes for many opportunities in the Blue Devils’ new “air raid” offense. Cook returns after throwing for 949 yards and eight touchdowns last season as Leechburg went 5-5 overall and 3-3 in the Eastern Conference. Sophomore wideout Braylon Lovelace and senior tight end Eli Rich are two of a number of targets for Cook.

Reed Martin

Plum, sr., WR/DB/K

The Mustangs’ do-it-all performer was called upon to deliver some big kicks last year, and he didn’t disappoint. Reed tied Jacob Chapla for the longest field goal in program history — 51 yards — against Belle Vernon. The 2020 co-captain also rushed 51 times for 244 yards and six touchdowns, caught 29 passes for 339 yards and two scores and recorded 39 tackles and one interception.

Chandler Thimons

Highlands, so., QB

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Golden Rams signal-caller hopes to increase his stock after a 2019 season that saw him complete 84 of 170 passes for 1,363 yards and 11 touchdowns. One of the top freshman quarterbacks last year, Thimons’ confidence grew to the point where he recorded 565 yards and six touchdowns over Highlands’ final three games.

Zidane Thomas

Fox Chapel, jr., RB/DB

The speedy tailback hopes for an increased role in the offense after the graduation of running back Sam Brown. Last year, Thomas picked up 71 carries, tops among the returning players. He accounted for 342 yards of total offense and two scores for the Foxes, who qualified for the WPIAL 5A playoffs.

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, Highlands, Leechburg, Plum