D6SN: Sweet 16 Players

            Hey guys, we wanted to do an all area team, and this will serve as just that. It is not a traditional all area team with all 22 positions covered, but rather 16 guys that really stood out to us. It takes into consideration the value of each player to their respective teams. It also takes into light how good the numbers and overall ability they had. It is not a downplay to offensive linemen, because we know their worth, but it is hard to put that out without having seen everyone play. These are mainly offensive skill positions players, and dominant defensive players.   Fortunately, we have seen over 20 local teams this season, and it makes things much easier. We have read the papers, watched the highlights, and heard the hype as well. We have a good understanding of how to make this list, and it is to recognize the best of the best. We did our best to spread it around all the different leagues throughout the region.  So without further adieu, here is the 2012 D6SN Sweet 16 of the high school football season.

Alex Atkins Senior LB Northern Cambria 

STATS-148 Tackles (81 solo) 3 sacks 1 blocked FG

Alex Atkins may have had the best knack for the ball of anyone in the district. Atkins' tackling ability was evident as soon as you watched the first play of a Northern Cambria game. You hear the phrase "always around the ball" and it is so true when watching Atkins play, he literally is always around the ball. His play making instincts should be a valuable commodity at the next level. He is 6-2 240, and that is not an exaggeration either. Atkins played with a great passion, and was clearly the leader of that Northern Cambria team.

Beau Bosch Junior QB Chestnut Ridge

STATS-640 Passing Yards. 7 Touchdowns. 1,302 Rushing Yards. 19 Touchdowns.

Chestnut Ridge has a huge hole heading into this season with Brad Hengst graduating, but Beau Bosch proved that loss wouldn't be impossible to overcome. In fact, Bosch put up similar rushing stats. At 6-5, Bosch is an athletic play maker that glides across the field. Ridge came on late, and played tough in the state playoffs. The Lions play a very challenging and taxing schedule, but Bosch should have the Lions in contention in most of the games. If you can get a chance to see him play, take advantage. 

Austin Cunningham Junior QB Central

STATS-1,406 Passing Yards 14 Touchdowns. 809 Rushing Yards 10 Touchdowns. 3 Receiving Touchdowns. 

Austin Cunningham was one of the more electric players in the whole region. He is one of those players that can take it the distance on any given play. They lined him up at receiver at times, and he scored three long touchdowns. Cunningham was able to keep make plays alive, and make runs down field. Cunningham is only a junior, and will be back to make a huge impact on the 2013 season. Central was believed to be the District Six front runner by many, and they will be in the thick of the race next season thanks in large part to Austin Cunningham. 

 Danny Ferens Senior QB Senior Penns Manor

STATS-595 Passing Yards 9 TDs. 1818 Rushing Yards 31 TDs. 2 Int's 1 PR TD. 

Danny Ferens may be the only player on this list that can qualify as a legend. Ferens finishes his career 40-7 in four years as the starting quarterback for Penns Manor, and leaves as Indiana County's leading rusher of all time. The kid had an unreal knack for making big plays, and dropping jaws in the whole stadium. He may not have the prototypical passing numbers most successful quarterbacks would have, but may have been the best running quarterback in the whole state for the past two seasons. Ferens also had a fine season playing outside linebacker/safety. He hits as hard and can fill a gap like no other.  His worth to Penns Manor exceeded that of any one player to their respective team in the area. 

Drew Glotfelty RB Senior Berlin Borthersvalley

STATS- 2012 Rushing yards 24 Touchdowns. 24 Catches, 327 Yards 6 Touchdowns. 4 Interceptions.

Drew Glotfelty was the main cog for the Berlin Mountaineers District 5 championship run. His versatility allowed him to be lined up in a variety of different ways ranging from the wildcat to slot receiver. Glotfelty may have been the fastest player in all of district five, and his breakaway speed allowed Berlin to be a dangerous team all year long. Glotfelty played a major role on defense and special teams as also. He carried Berlin to a championship, and the Berlin faithful will not soon forget that.

Casey Gray Junior RB/DB Bellwood-Antis

STATS-1,954 Rushing Yards 29 TDs. 10 catches 173 yards 1 TD. 4 Interceptions.

Casey Gray played a solid role in his sophomore season, setting himself for a big junior campaign. He did not disappoint. Gray led Bellwood-Antis to another great season capped by a district championship and a state playoff appearance. Gray played a huge role in leading a strong Blue Devil rushing attack,a nd doubled up as one of the premier corner backs in the region. Gray still may have made the best interception of the year against Northern Bedford. The kid knows how to make big plays, and he is one of those can't miss players for the 2013 season if you are a local football fan. 

Brock Medva Senior RB Shade

STATS-1,778 Rushing Yards. 13 Touchdowns. 108 Tackles (55 solo) 3 Interceptions.

Shade is never noted for having a strong football team, but 2012 saw some moderate success. The Panthers found their way into the playoffs, and Brock Medva was the main reason why. If you want to talk about a workhorse, look no further than Medva. He was the team's leading rusher, and second leading tackler. Medva saw plenty of the touches for the Panthers and rarely disappointed. Most people did not get to see him play, but you sure missed out. Medva was quietly one of the best players in the region.

Brett Grissinger Senior RB Juniata Valley

STATS-1397 Rushing Yards 16 Touchdowns. 29 Catches 563 Receiving Yards 7 Touchdowns. 54 Tackles 3 Interceptions.

Brett Grissinger may have had one of the best statistical seasons in the whole area. He was a 1,000 yard rusher, and managed to get 500+ receiving yards on just 29 catches. That is over 10 yards every time he touches the ball, including 19 yards when it is a pass play.  Grissinger was one of the true home run threats the ICC had to offer, and he was a big part of the Hornets' 9-2 campaign.Grissinger played a big role on defense and special teams as well, making him one of the best all around players in the region. 

 James Oliver Junior RB Tyrone

STATS-1893 Rushing Yards 27 Touchdowns

James Oliver burst onto the scene this season in a big way. His first year as the starting running back for Tyrone was a memorable one. Oliver used his ability of speed and vision to churn out eight 100+ yard games this season for the Golden Eagles. He will likely be a marked man next season, and will be Tyrone's focal point offensively. Oliver finished 15th in the state in rushing despite only playing in 12 games. Oliver is one of 

the top junior in the region, and is a must see player for the 2013 season. 

Matt Shaffer Junior QB Richland

STATS-2,238 Passing Yards. 22 Touchdowns. 631 Rushing Yards. 11 Touchdowns. 

Matt Shaffer's ability is really the key to it all for Richland. He was just a junior, but his experience going into next year could mean big things for Richland. His running skills opened up the whole offense, and made defenses focus on all aspects, which proved to be too much to handle for most. Shaffer had some talented receivers, but he spread the wealth around and managed this high powered offense. Coach Brandon Bailey demands a lot from his quarterbacks, and Shaffer accounted for close to 3,000 yards of total offense. 

Tanner Solarczyk Junior RB Richland

STATS-2,034 Rushing Yards 27 Touchdowns. 16 Catches 176 Yards 2 Touchdowns.

Richland had a banner season for their football program, and Tanner Solarczyk was a big reason why. Many thought the loss of Johnny Rizzo would be too much to overcome for Richland, but Solarczyk erased any doubts. Solarczyk bulked up to over 200 pounds, and became a bruising tailback that was a key component of Richland's high powered offense. Solarczyk will be back next season to fuel another big Richland season, definitely worth seeing him play if you get the chance.

Jordan Spangler Senior WR Bishop McCort

STATS-56 Catches 791 Yards 8 Touchdowns. 4 Interceptions. 9 Field Goals. 34 YPP. 

Jordan Spangler was one of the busiest players in the whole area this season. He started at receiver and corner, but also handled all the kicking and punting duties, on top of being the kickoff returner for Bishop McCort. Spangler was a deep threat connection on one of the best passing offenses around the area, and became Bishop McCort's all time leading receptions leader in the process. He also played a good defensive back. Spangler is being sought after to be a college punter after a very successful campaign in that department.

Chad Speigle Senior RB West Branch

STATS-1,504 Rushing yards 24 Touchdowns. 105 Tackles (76 solo) 5 Sacks.

Chad Speigle could very well be the best player you never heard of from District Six. He plays for tiny West Branch, but has been making an impact in the ICC for a few seasons now. West Branch only had 19 kids on the roster this season, yet Speigle still led them to 5 wins. He is a man among boys out on the field, and has a powerful running style. He is also a ball hawk at middle linebacker. You have to appreciate tough hard nosed players like Speigle. 

Tanner Stull Junior QB Somerset

STATS-1,441 Passing Yards 15 Touchdowns. 567 Rushing Yards 7 Touchdowns. 

Somerset had a bit of a football revival in 2012, and Tanner Stull was directly behind it. Stull is one of the premier dual threat quarterbacks in the area, and put up some gaudy numbers despite some injuries. Stull accounted for close to 200 yards per game and made some eye opening plays all year long. His career game may have been against Bishop McCort, when he led the Golden Eagles for their first win ever the Crushers. Stull also had an outstanding game against University Prep in the state playoffs. Stull should be injury free next season, and will be one of the more exciting players to watch.

Ryan Torrance Senior RB Ligonier Valley

STATS-1,481 Rushing Yards 27 Touchdowns.

Ligonier had another big regular season, and finally saw some postseason success. The Rams offense was led by the running of Ryan Torrance. This was Torrance's second consecutive 1,000 season, and this marked the most rushing yards for a Ligonier kid in a single season ever. Torrance had good vision and excellent speed. He was one of the premier players out of the Heitage conference, and the district. He finishes out as one of Ligonier's most prolific running backs ever. 

 Dalvin Williams Senior LB Johnstown

STATS- 146 Tackles (59 solo) 5 sacks 2 fumble recoveries

This may not have been the ideal season for Johnstown, but Dalvin Williams turned in a great individual effort all year long. Dalvin was obviously overshadowed by Alkwan Williams last season, but handled being the lead linebacker just fine. It was hard to watch a Johnstown game without hearing Williams called over the loudspeaker seemingly every play. At 6-2 200, Williams had the size and athletic ability to play sideline to sideline. He quietly had a fine career for the Johnstown Trojans, and may be one of the more underrated players in the region.

Honorable Mention

1. Johnny Sheesley RB Blacklick Valley

2. Jared Shope WR Forest Hills

3. Gap Barbin NT Bishop McCort

4. Kyle Flick WR Richland

5. Stuart Urch DE Ligonier Valley

6. Devin Lawhead LB Penn Cambria

7. Nick Ceschini DE Bishop Guilfoyle

8. Caleb Kephart RB Portage

9. Tony Straiser WR North Star

10. Tayler Pressel TE/DE Northern Bedford