Jimmy Kerr And Jase Ferguson Honored As Finalists For Mr. PA Football Awards
Photo Above courtesy of Cheryl Marshall – Jimmy (63), Jase (1)
The 15th Annual Mr. PA Football Awards Ceremony took place on Saturday, March 22nd, at the Purcell Friendship Hall on the Milton Hershey School campus in Hershey.
Two members of the District Nine Football League-Region 1 champion, PIAA District Nine Class-2A champion and PIAA State-2A runners-up Central Clarion Wildcats, Jimmy Kerr and Jase Ferguson were selected as finalists, Jimmy as a Mr. PA Football Small School (1A-3A) Lineman and Jase, as a Mr. PA Football Small School (1A-3A).
The Lineman finalists were announced on Saturday, February 17th, including an announcement video shared on the organization’s social media.
There were 197,000 votes cast this year, with votes coming from football fans, high school coaches and media. One third of the vote was credited to each of those categories for Mr. PA Football. There were over 600 nominations, the players were paired down to the fabulous 50 of each classification and the tremendous 25 and terrific 10, to the 5 Finalists.
A Select Committee picks the Mr. PA Football Lineman – Final 5, from that pool.
The Lineman finalists were announced on Saturday, February 17th, including an announcement video shared on the organization’s social media.
This year’s Mr. PA Football winners were Northwestern Lehigh running back and safety, Eli Zimmerman – Small School (1A-3A) and State College wide receiver and safety Ty Salazar.
The two Lineman of the Year Award winners were announced at the banquet. They are St. Joseph’s Prep’s Kahlil Stewart – Big School (4A-6A) and Mount Carmel’s Norm Shimko – Small School (1A-3A).
The other Small School (1A-3A) Top 5 Linemen include Henry Barbisch – Bishop Canevin, Tavian Branch – Riverside, Joe Eckenrode – Bishop Guilfoyle and Bryer Reichard – Northwestern Lehigh.
The other Big School (4A-6A) Top 5 Linemen include Nathan Kutufaris – Cardinal O’Hara, Zahir Mathis – Imhotep Charter, Shep Turk – Thomas Jefferson, Josh Williams – Haverford School and Jack Yatchenko – North Allegheny.
The other Small School (1A-3A) Top 5 Players are Aiden Bliss – Port Allegany, Dayshaun Burnett – Imani Christian Academy, Madden Patrick – Danville and Matt Sieg – Fort Cherry.
The other Big School (4A-6A) Top 5 Players include Joey O’Brien – La Salle College High School, Messiah Mickens – Harrisburg, Tiqwai Hayes – Aliquippa and Xxavier Thomas – Pittsburgh Central Catholic.
Some other special awards were given out:
The 3-Star Foundation Award was given to Bishop McDevitt’s Venny Brook.
The 3-Star Foundation, Inc. is a group that was formed to challenge area youth to achieve their fullest potential as individuals and community members by providing opportunities for academic (mind), physical (body), and character growth (soul).
Jim Morgans, who coached at The 2025 “Mickey Minnich” Legendary Coach Award went to Jim Morgans, who coached at Allentown Central Catholic, Salisbury, Bethlehem Freedom and Parkland.
The 2025 “Mickey Minnich” Legendary Coach Award went to Jim Morgans, who coached at Allentown Central Catholic, Salisbury, Bethlehem Freedom and Parkland.
Stone Saunders from Biship McDevitt received the Michael Payton Memorial Quarterback Award. The winner for the 2024 season was Stone Saunders from Bishop McDevitt.
Central Clarion head coach Davey Eggleton had this to say about his two Top 5 awardees, “It is a great honor for both Jase and Jimmy gaining so much recognition for their football accomplishments. They are both outstanding young men that leave a legacy of excellence.
“It has been an honor to coach them and I am truly appreciative of what they have done for our program.”
(Congratulations to Jase, Jimmy and Aiden, and all the other 2024 Mr. PA Football Top 5 and Mr. PA Football Linemen Top 5, Players of the Year, Linemen of the Year and Special Award Winners!!!! Thanks to Wendy Ferguson and Cheryl Marshall for their photos!!)