What was initially thought of last year as a collector’s item — a one-and-done high school all-star team consisting of the top football players from the WPIAL and City League, along with a player and coach of the year — has morphed into a second list of all-stars. I will refrain from using the word “annual” when describing the PUP’s football award winners because I shudder to think that this strike “paper” will be around long enough for there to be a third list some day.
In any event, this second collection of the top high school football talent from the area is unique because of the overall depth at every position. And that is what makes the PUP’s football all-stars so special: the Union Progress sports staff, with input from high school coaches, went position by position and put together an actual all-star team. We name the top players at every position to come up with a lineup of 11 all-stars on each side of the ball plus special teams, not just a handful of the top players, regardless of position. And there can only be one player at every position, just like a regular starting lineup.
If you agree that that’s difficult, try coming up with the player of the year. The PUP Player of the Year put up strong numbers on both sides of the ball and helped their team to a big season. OK, so maybe that’s not a good hint as to who the winner is, but just know there are a lot of great candidates, among them Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin, Aliquippa’s Cam Lindsey, Central Catholic’s Payton Wehner and Fort Cherry’s Matt Sieg.
And the area’s top coach? After guiding their teams to PIAA championships, will either Aliquippa’s Mike Warfield or Belle Vernon’s Matt Humbert get the nod for PUP Coach of the Year? Or will it go to another deserving choice such as Peters Township’s T.J. Plack or Fort Cherry’s Tanner Garry, coaches who led their teams to their first WPIAL titles?
Come back Sunday morning to find out who the PUP believes would make up the very best football lineup around, along with our choice for player and coach of the year.
Rick, an associate sports editor for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, is currently on strike and working as sports editor for the Union Progress. Contact him at rdavis@unionprogress.com.