Gateway’s Walker named state’s Class 5A Player of the Year

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, December 19, 2017 | 4:06 PM

Gateway quarterback Brady Walker, who passed for 4,657 yards and 45 touchdowns this season, was named Tuesday at the state's Class 5A Player of the Year.

Walker climbed to second on the WPIAL's career passing list (8,795 yards) while he led his team to the PIAA finals, the first state championship appearance in Gateway football history. Gateway's Don Holl was named Class 5A's Coach of the Year, while Gators players Courtney Jackson and Jeremiah Josephs each earned all-state honors in a vote of Pennsylvania sports writers.

WPIAL players Nick Kotok of Moon, Bryce Lauer of Franklin Regional and Anthony Dellovade of West Allegheny also were chosen.

Gateway lost in the PIAA final to ArchbishopWood, which had five players earn all-state honors.

Class 5A

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Brady Walker, Gateway – 6-1, 170 senior

Evan Simon, Manheim Central – 6-2, 192 sophomore

Yahmir Wikerson, Harrisburg – 6-0, 200 senior

Ian Haynes, Franklin – 6-2, 190 sophomore

Running back

Isaac Ruoss, Governor Mifflin – 6-1, 210 senior

Nasir Peoples, Archbishop Wood – 6-1, 190 senior

Khalid Dorsey, York High – 6-0, 195 senior

Sterlen Barr Jr., Upper Moreland – 5-9, 165 senior

Christian Cole, Oil City – 6-2, 175 junior

Wide receiver

Jose Barbon, Conestoga Valley – 6-0, 180 senior

Courtney Jackson, Gateway – 5-11, 160 junior

Brandon Johnson, Franklin – 6-3, 180 senior

Jake Novak, Manheim Central – 5-11, 170 senior

Dez Boykin, Whitehall – 5-11, 175 senior

Tight end

Kyle Pitts, Archbishop Wood – 6-5, 235 senior

Offensive line

Chris Bleich, Wyoming Valley West – 6-6, 305 senior

Connor Bishop, Archbishop Wood – 6-3, 260 junior

Nick Kotok, Moon – 6-4, 285 senior

Tyler Dougherty, Manheim Central – 5-11, 275 junior

Ben Gates, Governor Mifflin – 5-10, 240 senior

Tommy Walsh, Archbishop Wood – 6-4, 265

Athlete

Logan Lutz, Grove City – 6-0, 180 junior

Joe Zubillaga, Unionville – 6-1, 210 senior

Specialist

Vlad Hilling, Hollidaysburg – 5-11, 201 senior

DEFENSE

Defensive line

Micah Parsons, Harrisburg – 6-3, 240 senior

Joe Crocenzi, Red Land – 6-1, 225 senior

Kyle Tobin, Marple Newtown – 6-3, 240 senior

Mike Sisselberger, Southern Lehigh – 5-11, 250 senior

Daniel Worthy, Waynesboro – 6-1, 235 senior

Linebacker

Isaiah Manning, Meadville – 6-0, 205 senior

Bryce Lauer, Franklin Regional – 6-2, 240 senior

Anthony Dellovade, West Allegheny – 6-2, 215 senior

Zach Davies, Wyoming Valley West – 5-11, 195 senior

Joe Kosick, Grove City – 5-11, 185 senior

Matt Palmer, Archbishop Wood – 6-1, 210 senior

Defensive back

Layton Jordan, McKeesport – 6-3, 205 senior

Ronald Kent, Harrisburg – 5-10, 160 senior

Rob Rideout, York High – 5-11, 170 senior

Nasir Singleton, General McLane – 6-2, 175 senior

Athlete

Donnell Henriquez, Harrisburg – 5-11, 185 senior

Jeremiah Josephs, Gateway – 6-0, 160 junior

AWARDS

Player of the Year

Brady Walker, Gateway

Coach of the Year

Don Holl, Gateway

Tags: Franklin Regional, Gateway, Moon, West Allegheny