Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 83

it North PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1998 N-13 '1 rrir 1 1. ft. poot-Cazcttc Vv Twenty years later, the pulsating words of "Queen would have been appropriate in a number ofPG North locker rooms. "We are the champions, my friend," was a common truism. Shady Side Academy rolled to a WPIAL Class AA championship, and reached the state final.

ShalerArea won its first conference title. Highlands was a conference champ and had its first unbeaten regular season. North Allegheny reached another Class AAA A final, falling to rival New Castle. Perry, after a slow start, won its second consecutive City League title. And Oliver became a contender again.

There were a lot of great players, morelhan the 22 selected to this PG North Fabulous 22. Shady Side Academy, with seven Division I candidates, leads the team with five all-stars. Perry, Shaler and North Allegheny have three each, and Highlands had two. In all, II high schools in the PG North circulation area are represented. Casey White 5-10160 Pine-Richland QB-DB Sr.

Completed 106 of 196 passes (54 percent) for a PG North-leading 1,689 yards. Two-way starter for three years. Connected on 231 of 420 for 3,233 yards and 25 touchdowns overall. Division l-AA Lehigh likes him on defense. Division III Johns Hopkins projects him as a quarterback.

Chad Ryan 6-2 225 Highlands TE-DE Sr. A two-way starter for three years, Ryan anchored a defense that allowed only 6.1 points per game. Was first-team All-Greater Allegheny Conference with seven sacks, four fumble recoveries, 106 tackles. Ryan also led Golden Rams with 16 catches for 256 yards. He had four touchdowns.

Brian Eyerman 6-3 185 North Allegheny QB Sr. Tigers were somewhat inconsistent on offense, but not because of Eyerman. Completed 82 of 146 passes for 1 ,065 yards, four touchdowns and only three interceptions. Also had 346 yards and nine touchdowns rushing, and one TD reception. Career passing numbers; 171 for 294, 2,468 yards.

s' Rick LaVelle 6-5 235 North Allegheny TE Sr. Big, strong and mobile, LaVelle developed into one of better tight ends in WPIAL. Was Tigers' leading receiver with 27 catches for 337 yards. He played a little on defense, getting one sack. Akron has offered a scholarship and other Division I schools are interested.

So is Delaware, a Division l-AA power. iV J. If tllA'iVJff Randy Vulakovlch 6-11 85" CKolor Aran tAQ.DR Rr WlldlBi Titans' top receiver wih.35, catcnes tor aai yaras, live rouun downs. Was second-tear At-Dnarl Nnrth Conference. Averaood.y 26 2 yards on kickotf did not fair eaten any oi jjpums, one of which he returned Jdt 'a score.

Played defense on.pfl&sffig.i downs, had three interceptfwsr i i jjjj i ll' IBM JL Richard Greer 6-5 240 Shady Side OT-DT Sr. "Big Country" had big season I leading WPIAL Class AA phampjon, Indians in tackles with 71 Also had four sacks and two tipped passes. A former tight end. Greer" started for three years on offense: wo on-r' defense. Duke is among Orviston' and l-AA programs that interested in him.

-ill iii: -i i 1 1 1 vi: Jarius Acie 6-0 170 Shady Side WR-DBSK" His coach, Art Walker, has called Acie the best cornerback in the region. Opponents avoided him, and he still had three -perceptions, giving him 12 for'-past two years. He also had for 374 yards (25.0 per catch). Ha? gotten a scholarship offer from Oi-; vision I Kent State. riii mini.

Robb Butler 6-0 185 Perry RB-WR-DB Sr. Standout on offense, defense, and as kick returner. Led Corfji modores with 35 receptions 631 yards (18.0), scored 14 touchdowns. Had six interceptions for second year in a row. Returned two kickoffs, two inter ception for touchdowns.

Says P4tf others have offered scholarship ir4 4 u4 Rod Rutherford 6-3 195 Perry QB-DB Sr. PG's Male Athlete of too Year -for 1997-98 had another great sfe' son. He completed 96' of 18Siar 1 ,581 yards, rushed for 681 yatqs on 112 carries, scoredi 14 Tp. Had seven interception's on defense. Some career numbeife: 3,852 yards passing, T45louch-downs rushing, 19 u.

't i i rv a A. i. 11 Tom Farrlngton 6-1 195 Shaler Area RB-DB Sr. Made first-team defense in Quad North Conference second year in a row. Had six interceptions, 56 tackles in third year as starter.

Alternated at running back, gaining 478 yards on 90 carries, 134 yards on nine receptions, scoring nine touchdowns. Division l-AA Lehigh is interested. Chris Slegle 6-2185 Shaler Area QB-DB Sr. Was first-team All-Quad North Conference, completing 130 of 240 passes (54 percent) for 1 ,822 yards. Led Shaler Area to its first conference title and first playoff victory since merger in early 1970s.

A three-year starter, Siegle completed 292 of 592 passes for 4,232 yards overall. A Division I prospect. A Ian Alexander 6-3 210 Shady Side RB-DB Sr. A part-time offensive starter in '97, he was a force with 1,135 yards on 127 carries, 20 touchdowns. Averaged 8.6 yards per carry over past two seasons.

Had four interceptions, three fumble recoveries in third season as defensive starter. Is scheduled to visit Wisconsin, North Carolina, Pitt. It i v. I I I Maurlo Medley 6-5195 Shady Side WR-LB Sr. Indians' leading receiver caught 32 balls for 680 yards (21.3), scored 12 touchdowns.

Had at least 20 receptions past three seasons, totaling more than 1,700 yards. Played defense for first time this season and had 49 tackles, four fumble recoveries. Ivy League schools interested in North Sider. Chuck Griffy 5-9170 Perry RB Sr. Most prolific runner in City League history had 4,332 yards on 563 carries.

Played for four years, starting and earning All-City honors during the past three. PG North selection throe times, like Rutherford. Had 61 career touchdowns. Getting interest from Division l-AA and II programs. -y yh I- in hiii ji iiiiiiiiiiiu'HH'IP 1 7 1 'James Rugglero 6-2 240 Shady Side FB-NG Sr.

A part-time starter at fullback in -'97-, Ruggiero led Indians in 'ing this fall with 1 .231 yards on 204 carries and in scoring with 24 touchdowns. Excelled on defense "with 55 tackles, five caused fumbles and three recoveries. A three-year two-way starter, he is being by Division I Kent State i 1 i Jit Ryan Michael 6-0, 210 Area WR-TE-DB Sr. After two concussions as a freshman, Michael was advised by rtnrtnrs tn avoid football for two 'years. Came back this season in a way.

wearing a proieuive anon his helmet, he had five inter- JUr i All. Cepiions ana was insi-ioam "ii-Quad North Conference. Had 25 catches for 366 yards, six TDs. Jarrod Sleppy 6-2 190 Highlands QB-DB Sr. Was first-team All-Greater Alt' Jegheny Conference in his only season as starting quarterback.

47 of 91 passes for 839 yards, rushed for 438 yards. Had ftrne interceptions in two years as a "'defensive starter, six this season. Known for his quickness, Tarentum teen also returned punts. i A 'i 1 i Fisher 6-7 324 Mars Area OT-DT Sr. Piehor nnt surDnsinqlv, was L-mong the biggest linemen in the we ran oenmu 1 1 ii (jiuua- bly ou percem ui uui ymya una year," said Planets Coach Scott 'Heln'auer, who has coached several talented linemen in recent years.

vi'Made an oral commitment to Maryland last summer. MlUa rnnnnhnn 170 North Allegheny DB Sr. When It comes to hitting, "We've never had anyone better," 'jfcbach Jim Rankin said of this free SUIuiy, UUMcluail iiiauo IU1 iuvn Ips this season. Ho also intercept- ed three passes ana crone up uvu, Eiy fumbles and recovered one; and made one tacklo for loss. A rU INOnn ail-siar lupumoi.

I i i- if y- Perry's Chuck Griffy set a City League career rushing record. y- Pi'te Vlto Nails 5-10185 Oliver RB-DB Jr. Nails was a key figure in the Bears' run to their first City League playoff berth since 1990. He overcame Injuries to gain 816 yards on 115 carries and score 11 touchdowns. Had 23 tackles (18 solo), one interception and two fumble recoveries to spark a defense that allowed 69 points in 10 games, 1 -Is Ted Sweeney 6-2 240 North Catholic TE-LB Jr.

Two-year starter was a unanimous selection on All-Allegheny Conference defense. Playing middle linebacker, Sweeney registered 135 tackles and 13 12 sacks this season, Calls the defenses for Coach Denny Fedigan. Sweeney, of Brighton Heights, could be a Division I prospect noxt fall. Steve Smyers 6-0 200 North Hills G-LB Jr. Was Indians' leading tackier for second straight year with 120 (31 solos, 89 assists).

Had five sacks and was first-team All-Quad North Conference on defense. Has started both ways past two seasons. One of few freshmen to start during McCurry's 20 years on job. Carries a 4.3 grade point average..