Dual-threat quarterbacks meant double trouble
quarterback in WPIAL history to throw for 3,000 yards and run for 1,000 in a season.
For his career, Jurkovec had 11,144 yards, second best in WPIAL history. He completed 523-765 for 8,202 yards (fourth best in WPIAL history) and 71 touchdowns. He also ran for 2,942 yards on 344 carries.
Jurkovec will play next season at Notre Dame.
CLASS 5A
• Brady Walker, Gateway
When it comes to passing yards in a season, Brady’s bunch were the most in Pennsylvania history.
Walker, a senior, set a state record for passing yardage with 4,657, breaking the mark of Pine-Richland’s Ben DiNucci, set in 2014. Walker completed 299 of 470 and threw 45 touchdown passes for a Gateway team that won a WPIAL title for the first time since 1986. Walker also ran for 736 yards on 123 carries, which gave him 5,393 yards total offense this season.
A three-year starter, Walker finished as the second-leading passer in WPIAL history with 8,816 yards (558 of 925). He threw for 85 touchdowns.
CLASS 4A
• Marcus Hooker, New Castle
When New Castle switched Marcus Hooker from running back to quarterback, the Red Hurricanes started to roll this season. New Castle won seven of its final eight regular-season games, made the playoffs and finished with a 7-4 record.
Hooker (6-2, 202) had more than 2,000 yards offense. He threw for 532 yards and ran for 1,541 on 208 carries. On top of that, he also was an excellent defensive back. He was second on the team in tackles from his defensive back position with 81, had eight tackles for loss and forced four fumbles.
Hooker was a four-year varsity player for New Castle and had more than 2,500 yards rushing the past two seasons.
Hooker committed to Ohio State in the summer. He was recruited to play defensive back.
CLASS 3A
• Ricky Guss, Quaker Valley
Quaker Valley jumped on the Guss bus and rode it to the most memorable season in school history. Quaker Valley finished 15-1 and won WPIAL and PIAA championships for the first time.
This was Guss’ first season as a starting quarterback and he was terrific, accounting for 3,487 yards offense and was involved in 59 touchdowns. He completed 133 of 273 for 2,246 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,241 on 206 attempts and scored 29 times It was only the fifth time in WPIAL history that a player threw for 2,000 yards and rushed for 1,000 in a season. Guss, a senior, also was one of the Quakers’ leading tacklers on defense from his linebacker position.
Guss is being recruited by Division II colleges.
CLASS 2A
• Nick Welsh, Washington
Welsh averaged more than a first down every time he touched the football.
Welsh, a senior running back, finished the season with 2,324 yards on 200 carries, a whopping 11.6 yards per carry. Welsh also scored 34 touchdowns, including 32 on the ground. He was one of the main reasons Washington won the WPIAL Class 2A championship, defeating Steel Valley and breaking the Ironmen’s 26-game winning streak in the title game.
Welsh transferred from Trinity to Washington before his junior year. He is being recruited by Division II schools, but St. Francis (Pa.) also has shown interest.
CLASS 1A
• Robert Kennedy, Jeannette
Kennedy was one of the most versatile players in the WPIAL this season. He was outstanding at quarterback and defensive back, but also played receiver and returned kicks. He led Jeannette to WPIAL and PIAA Class 1A championships.
Kennedy (5-10, 175) completed 87 of 152 for 1,462 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,356 yards on 182 carries and scored 29 touchdowns. Kennedy, a senior, also played some at receiver late in the season and finished with eight catches for 192 yards. And he intercepted 12 passes.
Duquesne, Robert Morris, Howard and Albany are among the schools that are recruiting him.
CITY LEAGUE
• Tyrell Minniefield, Allderdice
It was the year of the Dragon, as the Allderdice Dragons won a City League championship for the first time since 1967. Minniefield is only 5-9, 195 pounds, but was gigantic for the Dragons.
“He was the leader of our team,” said Allderdice coach Jerry Haslett. “When he barked, they listened.”
Minniefield, a senior three-year starter, led Allderdice in tackles. He was an all-City League selection at linebacker. He also was second on the team in rushing yards.
California (Pa.) and Slippery Rock are among the Division II colleges recruiting Minniefield.