South Park tandem, Steel Valley’s Barksdale picked to 2024 Class 2A all-state football team

By: Bill Hartlep
Saturday, December 28, 2024 | 10:00 AM

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Three WPIAL players were selected to the 2024 Pa. Football Writers’ Class 2A all-state football team Saturday.

South Park seniors Parker Cunningham and Eric Doerue were recognized after leading the Eagles to the WPIAL Class 2A championship and a spot in the PIAA semifinals, along with Steel Valley senior running back Donald Barksdale, who was selected for the second straight year.

Cunningham was picked as an offensive lineman. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound James Madison recruit, anchored the Eagles’ lines with twin brother Troy. The Eagles rushed for more than 3,400 yards. Cunningham was the Allegheny Conference offensive lineman of the year.

Doerue, a running back, rushed for 1,781 yards on 280 carries and scored 27 touchdowns, earning all-conference honors. In the WPIAL finals, he ran for 149 yards and scored twice on 34 carries. He finished with 4,871 career yards and 62 touchdowns. He holds scholarship offers from Edinboro and Robert Morris.

Barksdale, a Youngstown State commit, rushed for 2,239 yards on 204 carries and scored 33 touchdowns as Steel Valley reached the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals. Along with 29 rushing TDs, he caught a touchdown pass and returned a fumble, a punt and a kickoff for scores. He also threw a touchdown pass. He finished his career with more than 5,000 rushing yards.

Central Clarion senior quarterback Jase Ferguson was named the Class 2A player of the year, and Troy coach Jimmy Smith was voted coach of the year after guiding his team to the state title.

Ferguson threw for 3,482 yards and a District 9-record 51 touchdowns and also ran for 1,488 yards and 25 touchdowns in leading Central Clarion to a PIAA runner-up finish.

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 are being revealed Saturday.

2024 CLASS 2A ALL-STATE TEAM

Player of the Year: Jase Ferguson, Central Clarion

Coach of the Year: Jimmy Smith, Troy

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Jase Ferguson, Central Clarion – 6-0, 200 senior

Evan Woodward, Troy – 6-1, 175 senior

Brady Shomper, Williams Valley – 5-11, 180 junior

Dante Carr, Minersville – 6-4, 220 junior

Running back

Brandon Way, Lancaster Catholic – 5-10, 175 junior

Donald Barksdale, Steel Valley – 5-10, 185 senior

Niko Carestia, Schuylkill Haven – 5-10, 200 junior

Vinny Feliciano, Mercyhurst Prep – 5-9, 170 sophomore

Juelz Johnson, Farrell – 5-10, 170 junior

Eric Doerue, South Park – 6-1, 200 senior

Wide receiver

Kian Krzyanowski, Williams Valley – 5-11, 155 senior

Mason Burford, Central Clarion – 6-2, 175 junior

Sam Hall, Warrior Run – 5-9, 175 senior

Ethan Rex, Central Clarion – 5-10, 180 sophomore

Luke Kreger, North Penn-Mansfield – 6-2, 170 junior

Tight end

Richie Kostoff, Riverside – 6-2, 235 senior

Offensive line

Jimmy Kerr, Central Clarion – 6-4, 310 senior

Micah Pesesky, Troy – 6-3, 255 sophomore

Parker Cunningham, South Park – 6-4, 290 senior

Avery Sens, Troy – 5-10, 265 senior

Jesse Koons, Williams Valley – 6-1, 215 senior

Athlete

Chase Taddonio, Riverside – 5-11, 195 senior

Quincy Swaim, Bedford – 5-10, 180 senior

Riley Vanderpool, Towanda – 5-9, 165 senior

DEFENSE

Defensive line

Tavion Branch, Riverside – 6-4, 290 junior

Eason Teribury, Troy – 6-5, 265 senior

Matt Alston, Central Clarion – 5-10, 200 senior

Garrett Jasper, Cambria Heights – 6-2, 240 senior

Reed Palmer, Troy – 6-4, 250 sophomore

Alex Long, Camp Hill – 6-3, 210 senior

Linebacker

Dominic Fetterolf, Southern Columbia – 6-1, 220 senior

Jack Burbage, Troy – 6-2, 200 senior

Charlie Hepfl, Central Clarion – 6-0, 178 junior

Skylor Green, Williams Valley – 6-0, 180 senior

Chris Ulmer, Lansdale Catholic – 6-3, 225 senior

Defensive back

Lincoln Chimics, Troy – 6-3, 175 senior

Julius Phillips, Farrell – 6-2, 185 senior

Noah Doi, Camp Hill – 5-9, 140 senior

Leyden Hertz, Schuylkill Haven – 6-2, 180 senior

Athlete

Brendan Gilliland, Troy – 6-0, 210 junior

Eli Butler, Warrior Run – 5-10, 180 senior

Specialist

Thomas Uckert, Central Clarion – 5-9, 157 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: South Park, Steel Valley