MSA Sports Elite Eleven Coming Friday

By: Bruce Markey
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 | 2:08 PM

It's a tradition that started in 2001 and has continued on PIAA football championship weekend every year since. MSA Sports will unveil the Class of stars from the 2011 season on Friday with the MSA Sports Elite Eleven Football All-Star Team. It is very tough each season to make the cut of outstanding district football players to only eleven, but that is what we do each year. While this years team is VERY impressive, here is a look back at the very first Elite Eleven All-Star Team from 2001, then known as the NSN All-Stars.

2001 PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tyler Palko, QB/DB, 6-2, 212, Sr.:
There wasn’t much that Palko didn’t do this past season. He completed 134 of 225 passes for 1,887 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also ran for another 621 yards and six scores. On defense, he played free safety and hit like a linebacker, finishing with more than 80 tackles and four interceptions. Palko also punted and returned punts. “I don’t know if he’s better at quarterback or better at defensive back,” said his father, Bob, West Allegheny’s head coach. “All I know is that he’s a pretty good player … period.”

Steve Breaston, QB/DB, 6-2, 170, Sr.:
He had a spectacular season for Woodland Hills, rushing for 1,720 yards and 23 touchdowns on 146 carries and was one of the reasons the Wolverines won the WPIAL Class AAAA title and played in the PIAA championship game. Not known for his passing, Breaston completed 33 of 79 passes for 596 yards. He had 10 touchdown runs of 50 yards or more and played some in the defensive secondary. Because of his speed, Breaston could wind up at wide receiver in college.

Brian Borgoyn, OT, 6-5, 290, Sr.:
He was one of the reasons Breaston had an outstanding year running the football. An outstanding run blocker for Woodland Hills, Borgoyn is one of the top linemen in the state and drawing plenty of Division I attention.

Mark Farris, G/DT, 6-6, 280, Sr;
A four-year starter, Farris was outstanding on both sides of the football for North Hills. A powerful run blocker on offense, he finished with 101 career tackles on defense. Has college coaches drooling.

Luke Getsy, QB, 6-3, 205, Sr.:
Also a Pitt recruit, Getsy had a solid senior season completing 99 of 172 passes for 1,654 yards and 16 touchdowns. A four-year starter for Steel Valley, he finished his career with 6,010 yards passing and 59 touchdowns.

Todd Harris, RB/LB, 5-9, 193, Sr.:
Harris finished his high school career with 5,213 yards rushing on 755 carries and is one of just 10 backs in WPIAL history to rush for more than 5,000 yards. This season he gained 1,713 yards and scored 16 times on 240 carries for Duquesne. Solid on defense, he is attracting Division I offers.

Dan Mozes, OT/DT, 6-3, 270, Sr.:
He was the cornerstone of Washington’s offensive and defensive lines and is headed for West Virginia. A three-year starter, he may be better on defense because of his quickness. He had 94 tackles and 10 quarterback sacks this season.

Ryan Kwiecinski, QB/DB, 6-0, 210, Sr.:
Moved to quarterback after playing running back last season. He was outstanding running McKeesport’s option offense and rushed for 1,652 yards and scored 23 touchdowns. Kwiecinski also passed for 659 yards and six scores, plus he is one of the
top students academically in his class.

Daine Williams, RB/DB, 5-8, 185, Sr.:
Paced Beaver Falls’ offense by running for WPIAL-high 2,221 yards and scored 23 touchdowns. A three-year starter he finished with 4,213 career yards. Williams is also an outstanding receiver and could end up at that position in college.

Brian Young, RB, 6-1, 185, Sr.:
An outstanding lacrosse player who is headed for Georgetown, he led the WPIAL in rushing during the regular season and finished with 2,216 yards and scored 27 touchdowns on 333 carries. Helped Mt. Lebanon to the WPIAL Class AAAA title last season.

Ryan Klingensmith, RB, 5-11, 165, Sr.:
Klingensmith was the workhorse in Jeannette’s offense, rushing for 1,622 yards and 17 touchdowns on 235 yards. He was the second leading rusher in Class AA behind Williams and helped Jeannette return to playoffs after a one-year hiatus.