PFN 2024 Coaches Select All-State Football Teams Announced; Jase Ferguson Named Class 2A Player Of The Year As Eight Wildcats Selected

Above photo courtesy of Cheryl Marshall – 2024 PFN Coaches Select Player of the Year Jase Ferguson

The 2024 PAFootballnews.com (PFN) Coaches Select All-State Teams (Classes 1A-6A) were announced on their website on Thursday, January 2nd and Friday, January 3rd.

The District Nine Class 2A Champion, Central Clarion Wildcats who advanced to the Pennsylvania Scholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Championship Game, where they fell to Troy by just one points, 25-24, had a large eight man contingent named to the 2A Team, including Jase Ferguson, who was selected Player of the Year, this added to his Pennsylvania Sports Writers Class 2A All-State Player of the Year selection announced in December.

Jase was named to the PFN First Team Defense at safety after being named to the Pennsylvania Sports Writers Class 2A Offense at quarterback (second year at that position) and on Defense at safety.

Central Clarion head coach, Davey Eggleton is very pleased with this season’s Wildcat All-Staters. “It is a great testament to our programs success to see so many of our players recognized by the Pennsylvania Football News Coaches Select coaches.”

And his Player of the Year. “It is also a huge accomplishment for Jase being named the Class 2A Player of the Year.

“Jase, being named All-State and Player of the Year is a fitting honor to culminate a historic career. He is the best high school football player that I have seen in person. He has done so much for our program and District 9. His stats speak for themself, but his contributions were so much more that could be seen on the stat sheet. His dedication and hard work pushed others to better themselves everyday.“

Jase had great defensive totals this season with 81 tackles (24 solo, 57 assisted), 5 tackles for loss. He had 9 interceptions, with 115 interception return yards. His astonishing offensive stats can be found in the earlier article on the Sports Writers Team, by going to the CSZ homepage and scrolling down and clicking on the article.

Other Wildcats named to both teams for this past season include Mason Burford, Jimmy Kerr, Thomas Uckert, Matt Alston and Ethan Rex. They were joined by first time selectees Hayden Hindman and Jessie Siwiecki.

Wildcats making the PFN Class 2A All-State First Team Offense included Mason at wide receiver, Jimmy at tackle, Hayden at guard and Thomas at kicker.

Matt was named to the First Team Defense as a defensive end.

Ethan was named to the Second Team Offense as an athlete and Jessie was named to the Second Team Defense at cornerback.

A little something about the 2024 PFN Class 2A Wildcat All-Staters:

Mason had a big year receiving, going over the century mark in yards, with 1,042 and a whopping 21.3 yards-per-catch. Fifteen of Mason’s catches resulted in touchdowns.

Coach Eggleton shared. “Mason was one of the top receivers in the state this year. He had a fantastic season and his stats were as good as anyone in the state despite missing multiple games due to injury.”

Jimmy and Hayden were big time anchors on a line that paved the way for 2,856 yards on the ground and provided protection so the Wildcats could amass 3,537 yards through the air. Combined the yardage total was 6,393, an average of 426.2 yards-per-game.

Coach Eggleton shared praise for his dynamic duo of the trenches.

“Jimmy has had a dominant career on the offensive line. He helped anchor a truly special group of offensive lineman. He is a mauler in the run game, often finishing pancake blocks.”

“Hayden was a dominant player on the line on both sides of the ball. He is a rare combination of size and athleticism. He unselfishly moved from tight end to guard this year and made a huge impact on that group.”

Thomas had maybe the top career of any Wildcat, Bobcat or Lion ever, whether sending kickoffs into the endzone for touchbacks or deep into the opponent’s territory when the situation called for it, or connecting on field goals and extra points.

This past season Central Clarion was the beneficiary of 77 points off of Thomas’ near perfect place kicking expertise. He connected on 62 of 63 PATs and 5 of 6 field goals, with his longest being from forty yards. He had seven touchbacks. This all in just ten games.

And coach Eggleton’s thoughts on Thomas’s major contribution to the Wildcats’ success. “Thomas was a true weapon in the kicking game. Not only was he nearly automatic inside of 40 yards, his kickoffs played a big role in our defensive success. He often pinned teams deep or had touchbacks.”

With as solid of play on the defensive line as you could ask for, Matt registered nearly a hundred tackles, finishing the season with 97 (12 solo and 85 assisted). Eighteen of Matt’s tackles went for loss, including six sacks. He had 29 hurries on the passer, an interception and a fumble recovery.

The Wildcats’ mentor said, “Matt had a great year at defensive end. He put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He is also very smart player with great technique.”

Ethan had a great year for the Wildcats. In the passing game he just missed the thousand yard plateau with 993 yards on 83 catches, eighteen resulting in scores. Also a big threat when he ran the ball, Ethan had 53 carries for 331 yards and four touchdowns.

Coach Eggleton mentioned, “Ethan became an electric playmaker that really blossomed as the season went. As the games got bigger, his playmaking ability seemed to grow. He was definitely a top receiving weapon in the state.”

Jesse was a real force from his cornerback slot, with 60 tackles (17 solo and 43 assisted) and three interceptions.

Coach Eggleton shared about Jesse’s prowess. “Jesse continued to improve as the season progressed. His play in the second half of the season was phenomenal. This is a well deserved honor for him. He certainly was one of the best corners in the state.”

The Class 2A Coach of the Year was Troy’s Jim Smith.

Fellow District Nine Team Port Allegany had both the 1A Player of the Year, Aiden Bliss and Coach of the Year, Justin Bienkowski.

The Class 1A First Team Offense included two local players, Redbank Valley long snapper, Hayden Rearick and Keystone’s Dom Corcetti as an offensive athlete.

Other District Nine players on the First Team Offense included: fullback Michael Gerg from Ridgway and a trio of Port Allegany athletes, Bliss at running back, guard Carson Neely and tackle Juuso Young.

Local players named to the Class 1A Defense were Keystone outside linebacker, Jake Henry (who is also a standout for the Wildcat wrestling team) and Redbank Valley defensive athlete, Rylan Rupp.

Port Allegany’s Nick Wilfong was named at cornerback.

The Second Team Offense included locals, Joey Spence a long snapper from Keystone and Redbank Valley kicker, Kieran Fricko.

Others from around the region on the Second Team Offense included Ridgway guard, Hunter Viglione and Wilmington tackle, Jacob Coulter.

Four local athletes were selected to the Second Team Defense. They include, safety Owen Bish from Union/A-C Valley, Keystone punter Drew Keth, and Redbank Valley’s Broc Monrean at defensive end and Jaxon Huffman at nose guard.

Other selectees from the region include Bucktail’s Brody Pentz as a defensive athlete, Greenville cornerback, Justin Schell and defensive end, Maverick Whiting from Wilmington. 

No local players made the PFN 3A Team, though several from throughout the region did.

Brockway wide receiver, Blake Pisarcik and center Ben Yale were selected to the First Team Offense.

The First Team Defense saw Hickory cornerback, Jadon Phillips, Sharon defensive end, Brodie Miller and Central (Martinsburg) outside linebacker, Lukas Black named.

Players from the region on the Second Team Offense include: Brockway wide receiver, Caleb Daugherty, Hickory center, Luke Lewis and Central (Martinsburg) long snapper, Kaden Horn.

St. Marys outside linebacker, Andrew Field was named to the Second Team Defense.

Northwestern Lehigh had both the 3A Player of the Year, Eli Zimmerman and Coach of the Year, Josh Snyder.

Four players from the region made the 2024 PFN Class 4A All-State Team.

Clearfield’s Brady Collins made the First Team Offense at running back, in addition to being selected Co-Player of the Year, with Caileb Howse from Lampeter-Strasburg.

Three General McLane players were selected to the Second Team Offense, including: tight end, Jared Corwin, quarterback, Isaac Zietz and wide receiver, Jacob Zietz.

There was also a tie for Coach of the Year, with Bonner-Prendie’s Jack Muldoon and Lampeter Strasburg’s Victor Ridenour.

There were no players from the region named to either the 5A or 6A Teams.

The PFN 5A Player of the Year was Stone Saunders from Bishop McDevitt and the Coach of the Year was Homer DeLattre from Hollidaysburg.

The 6A Player of the Year was Ty Salazar from State College and the Coach of the year was Haverford’s Luke Dougherty.

According to the PFN website: “Over 250 teams nominated players for this years All-State Teams (classes 1A-6A) The head coaches for each team voted. PFN uses a traditional team format allowing for teams that use pro set, two back, 3-4/4-3 defenses, etc….PFN did not have any influence on nominating or voting. That was all done by head coaches. Ties were not broken. If there was only one nominated player at a position there will be no 2nd team player at the position. Coaches provided film for all nominations.”

(Congratulations to Jase, Mason, Jimmy, Hayden, Thomas, Matt, Ethan and Jesse, and all of this year’s local and region selectees!!!! Thanks to Brinley Kiskadden – BK Media and Cheryl Marshall for their photos!!)

The complete list of 2024 Pennsylvania Football News Coaches Select All State Teams can be seen on the PFN website: https://pafootballnews.com/