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Hot Takes: PFN News and Notes – Loading up, Scheduling up & Dominating the mats

Tagged under: Coaches Corner, News, pfn

| February 3, 2024

Take a trip across the Commonwealth

as we recep the latest news and notes in Pennsylvania High School Football

 

Quips Loading Up For 5A Challenge

Coming off the heels of the recent PIAA Competition Formula ruling forcing 2A-by-enrollment Aliquippa to 5A for the next two seasons it appears the Quips have help on the way to tackle their newest classification.

In early January, DB Joseph Work (’26) announced his move to Aliquippa from rival Central Valley.  The 5-11, 190lb Work adds instant high-level talent to the Quips roster in what will be an ultra-competitve 5A WPIAL class next season.  Work was on campus for a visit at Penn State on January 27 and is certain to continue to collect additional D1 looks heading into his Junior season at Aliquippa.

Another monster pickup for the Quips for next season is DB Larry Moon (’27) who starred at Pittsburgh Central Catholic as a Freshman this past season after transferring from Aliquippa prior to his 9th grade school year.  The 5-11, 175lb Moon has racked up an avalanche of college interest harvesting 15+ D1 offers in his young career including nods from Penn State and Pitt.  The combo of Moon and Work in the defensive backfield for the Quips should provide some highlight reel plays the next couple seasons.

In addition to Work and Moon the Quips are also receiving Pittsburgh Central Catholic transfer Sa’Nir Brooks (’27) to their 2024 football roster.  Brooks, a 5-10, 185lb RB/ATH and University of Akron offered recruit is an Aliquippa native transferring back to his hometown school.

The addition of these three young athletes to the Aliquippa roster for next season and beyond will certainly help in the Quips efforts to navigate a post-season schedule three classes above their natural enrollment.  It should also be noted, these three transfers also open for discussion a potential move to 6A for the Quips based on the current PIAA transfer rule if the program garners enough success points on the field to trigger the Competition Formula two seasons from now.

Check out some highlights from the three Aliquippa transfers…

 

2024 Schedule Shaping Up

This offeseason across the state football programs are working to fill open weeks in their schedules.  While all teams play their standard league schedules open weeks offer an opportunity to start the season with non-traditional opponents.  These matchups often present some of the most intriguing games of the year and next season is shaping up to be no different.

Pittsburgh Central Catholic (PA) vs. Massillon (OH) – August 23 @ Massillon, Ohio

Perennial PA power 6A Pittsburgh Central Catholic announced this week they will be crossing the border into Ohio to compete with Buckeye State stalwart Massillon on August 23 at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium (Massillon, OH).  The 4-time PA state champ Vikings will face a storied Massillon football program that has amassed 28 Ohio State football titles, nine national football titles and 948 victories in 128 seasons of football since 1891.

If you’re a fan of high school football this will be a can’t miss contest to start the season.  Stay tuned for more information as the season approaches!

 

From The Gridiron To The Mat

Some of the most talented football players across the state are also dominant wrestlers on the mat and as we make our way to the grappling post-season in the Commonwealth here are a few PA gridiron greats who are looking to strike gold this season in Hershey.

Sean Kinney (Nazareth) – The Blue Eagle Senior 6A All-State lineman standout nailed down his 89th career pin this week to set the all-time mark at tradition-rich Nazareth.  Kinney is a two-time PA state wrestling champion looking to make it three in a row in Hershey next month.  Kinney will be playing football next season at Lafayette College.

Austin Johnson (Muncy) – Johnson locked down All-State honors as a Fullback this season for the 1A Indians and is seeking his second consecutive wrestling state title in March.  Johnson is a monster on the mat having already racked up 100 career wins as a Junior.  Johnson is a 2x Fargo National All-American and is uncommitted for college.

Hunter Hohman (Grove City) – Hohman picked up 3A All-State football honors this season as a signal-caller for the Eagles and is in search of his first title on the mat.  Hohman dropped a 5-0 decision in the PA State 160lb wrestling finals last year and also placed 7th in his Junior season.  Hohman will be wrestling at American University next season.

Cole Bartram (Northern York) – The Polar Bear scooped up a 5A All-State Football nod this year in a record-breaking campaign for the Senior runnning back in a season that included a single-game 500 yard, nine touchdown performance.  On the mat, Bartram was a state runner-up in 2023 and is looking to notch his first PA grappling gold next month.  The Lock Haven wrestling commit also placed 8th in the state in 2022.

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
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