Central Catholic, North Allegheny players earn spots on 2024 Class 6A all-state football team

By: Bill Hartlep
Saturday, December 28, 2024 | 2:00 PM

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For the past three seasons, Central Catholic and North Allegheny have been the class of the WPIAL’s highest football classification. The Vikings ended North Allegheny’s two-year reign as WPIAL champions with a 45-14 victory in the Class 6A district title game in November.

Central Catholic then went on to finish as the PIAA runner-up. Players from both teams were recognized for their success Saturday with selection to the 2024 Pa. Football Writers’ Class 6A all-state football team.

Four senior Vikings — Bradley Gompers, Billy Lech, Xxavier Thomas and Jy’Aire Walls — were selected as well as North Allegheny linemen Lincoln Hoke and Jack Yatchenko, a second-time all-state honoree.

• Gompers, a Duke recruit, was recognized as a linebacker after he produced 91 total tackles, including 59 solo stops, 16 tackles for a loss and five sacks. He also forced two fumbles, intercepted a pass and scored a defensive TD. He had 30 catches for 826 yards and 11 touchdowns as a tight end. Coaches voted him the conference player of the year and a first-team pick at linebacker.

• Thomas, a Penn State-bound defensive back, had six interceptions and earned first-team all-conference honors. He also caught a team-high 34 passes for 677 yards and nine touchdowns as a wide receiver and returned three punts for touchdowns.

• Walls, a first-year starter at quarterback, completed 142 of 253 passes for 2,625 yards and 28 touchdowns.

• Lech, one of the area’s top kickers, made 11 of 12 field goals, including a 54-yarder, which was 1 yard short of the WPIAL record.

• Hoke, a two-way lineman, was honored for his work on the defensive side. The junior made 66 tackles, including nine tackles for a loss and 6½ sacks. He forced two fumbles, intercepted a pass and blocked two kicks for the WPIAL Class 6A runner-up. His father, Chris, played defensive line for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

• Yatchenko, a Princeton-bound senior, was a finalist for the Bill Fralic Award as one of the WPIAL’s top offensive linemen. He is a three-time all-conference selection. Yatchenko helped NA rush for 171 yards per game.

St. Joseph’s Prep sophomore quarterback Charlie Foulke was named the Class 6A player of the year after leading his team to the PIAA title. He threw for 2,481 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Harrisburg’s Calvin Everett, whose District 3 champions reached the state semifinals, was named coach of the year.

The all-state team was chosen by a statewide vote of sportswriters. The Class A, 3A and 5A teams were released Friday. Class 2A, 4A and 6A were revealed Saturday.

2024 CLASS 6A ALL-STATE TEAM

Player of the Year: Charlie Foulke, St. Joseph’s Prep

Coach of the Year: Calvin Everett, Harrisburg

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Gavin Sidwar, La Salle College HS – 6-3, 215 junior

Charlie Foulke, St. Joseph’s Prep – 6-2, 185 sophomore

Peyton Falzone, Nazareth – 6-5, 200 junior

Eddie Corkery, State College – 6-2, 195 senior

Jy’Aire Walls, Central Catholic – 6-2, 195 senior

Running back

Khyann Billups, St. Joseph’s Prep – 5-8, 170 junior

Aaron Beete, Bethlehem Freedom – 5-10, 165 senior

Declan Clancy, Manheim Township – 5-11, 195 senior

TJ Lawrence, Parkland – 5-11, 200 sophomore

Wide receiver

Ty Salazer, State College – 5-11, 173 senior

Elias Coke, Harrisburg – 6-3, 200 junior

Joey O’Brien, La Salle College HS – 6-2, 180 junior

Santana Young, CD East – 6-0, 180 senior

Tight end

Michael Glover, Wilson-West Lawn – 6-3, 219 sophomore

Offensive line

Jack Yatchenko, North Allegheny – 6-3, 290 senior

Khalil Stewart, St. Joseph’s Prep – 6-4, 290 senior

Luke Milito, State College – 6-2, 270 junior

Spencer McClintock, Manheim Township – 6-5, 250 senior

Owen Marks, Manheim Township – 6-3, 250 senior

Matt Gaul, State College – 6-3, 285 sophomore

Athlete

Tyson Scott, George Washington – 5-10, 175 senior

Madyx Gruber, Wilson-West Lawn – 5-10, 161 senior

DEFENSE

Defensive line

Messiah Mickens, Harrisburg – 6-0, 200 junior

Robert Edwards III, Emmaus – 6-1, 290 junior

Joseph Sondah, Imhotep Charter – 6-1, 280 junior

Lincoln Hoke, North Allegheny – 6-1, 250 junior

Linebacker

Anthony Sacca, St. Joseph’s Prep – 6-4, 210 senior

Bradley Gompers, Central Catholic – 6-4, 250 senior

Jayden Ransom, Williamsport – 6-0, 210 senior

Cam Smith, St. Joseph’s Prep – 6-2, 215 senior

Michael Gaul, State College – 6-1, 220 senior

Nate Szydlik, Council Rock South – 6-2, 205 junior

Defensive back

Xxavier Thomas, Central Catholic – 5-11, 180 senior

Quincy Brannon, Harrisburg – 5-11, 171 senior

Donovan Rodriguez, Manheim Township – 5-11, 175 senior

Tommy Miller, Downingtown West – 6-0, 180 senior

Athlete

Will Day, Easton Area – 5-8, 185 senior

Michael Scott, Dallastown – 5-9, 155 senior

Hakeem Cooper, Abraham Lincoln – 6-1, 175 senior

Specialist

Matthew Parker, Central York – 6-2, 209 senior

Billy Lech, Central Catholic – 6-2, 190 senior

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Central Catholic, North Allegheny