Seven first-teamers among 15 total league players.
The Wyoming Valley Conference had a strong showing on this year’s Pennsylvania Football News Coaches All-State teams, released Saturday and Sunday.
In total, 15 area players earned the all-state distinction, including seven first-teamers and eight second-teamers.
Northwest, a former WVC school now competing in the Northern Tier League, placed two individuals on the Class 2A squad. Senior George May was selected as a second-team defensive tackle. Sophomore Carter Hontz joined May as the second-team kick and punt returner.
Wyoming Area led the local field in Class 3A with junior Nick Elko (guard), senior Bryce Hinkle (center) and junior Blaise Sokach-Minnick (long snapper) selected to the first team. Junior cornerback Rocco Pizano, who notched 23 tackles and two interceptions, earned a second-team nod.
Also in Class 3A, Lake-Lehman senior Ethan Adams was chosen as a first-team offensive athlete. Adams completed 60.6% of his passes this season for 1,799 yards and 18 touchdowns, helping Lake-Lehman go 7-2 as district runners-up. Black Knight senior Ryan Eiden, who recorded more than 500 yards both rushing and receiving, was a second-team offensive athlete.
Hanover Area was represented on the Class 3A second team, as well, with senior Connor Hummer being selected as a second-team defensive athlete. He had 46 tackles (22 solo) and six tackles for loss in just five games.
In Class 4A, Crestwood senior outside linebacker Logan Arnold was picked on the first team. Arnold racked up 38 tackles, including 28 solo, as well as seven tackles for loss for the district champion Comets.
Dallas earned a pair of Class 4A second-team selections in seniors Ben Fife (offensive athlete) and RJ Wren (safety). Fife was Dallas’ leading receiver with 32 catches for 670 yards and seven touchdowns. Wren notched three interceptions and 19 tackles.
Wilkes-Barre Area senior Maleek Robinson was chosen as a first-team outside linebacker in Class 6A. Robinson recorded a team-high 58 tackles (37 solo), as well as four tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and one sack.
Also in Class 6A, Williamsport senior tight end Nassir Jones, who caught 35 passes for 491 yards and six scores, was a first-team selection. Keith Freeman Jr., a Williamsport junior, was selected as a second-team slot/Hback.
While the all-state teams were distributed and released by the PA Football News, at pafootballnews.com, they were selected by more than 200 coaches who participated in the processes of nominating and voting for players.
This list is not to be confused with the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ all-state teams, which were released earlier this month.
Matt Bufano is a sports writer for The Citizens’ Voice, primarily covering high school athletics in the Wyoming Valley Conference. Born and raised in Luzerne County, Bufano is a 2013 graduate of Penn State. He joined The Citizens’ Voice full-time in September 2013. He’s covered just about all sports in Northeastern Pennsylvania with a primary focus on field hockey, basketball and softball. Contact him at mbufano@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2060; or @CVBufano on Twitter
