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Clairton’s Tyler Boyd named Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 player of the year
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• Latrobe’s historic boys lacrosse season comes to close
• High school notebook: Vincentian coach’s appeal set with PIAA
By Kevin Gorman and Chris Harlan
Published: Saturday, December 29, 2012, 10:59 p.m.
Updated: Monday, December 31, 2012
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Player of the Year
Tyler Boyd RB/DB
Clairton, senior, 6-2, 175
The silky smooth back rushed for 2,584 yards and 43 TDs, had 13 catches for 295 yards and three scores and led the WPIAL in scoring with 51 touchdowns and 345 points.
Tyler Boyd played a starring role for Clairton, so it only made sense that his career was capped in gold.
The Bears won four WPIAL and four PIAA Class A championships, and their 63 consecutive victories set a state record and ranks as the nation's longest winning streak.
Boyd set a WPIAL record for career touchdowns, with 117, and finished as the fifth-leading rusher in WPIAL history, with 5,755 yards.
What was the best moment of your senior season?
Definitely the last game, just the fact that it was the last time playing with all my boys, my bros. There's just a feeling I can't explain.
What was your favorite play?
Throwing the double-reverse pass to Santeaun Sims at Heinz in the WPIAL final. It was huge. It stretched the lead to 14-6.
Now that you've had time to reflect, what do you think of the winning streak?
It's real cool, especially knowing our class didn't let Clairton down. We can sit back and relax, knowing we didn't let the streak end. We kept it going.
What was the most challenging part?
Definitely our line. We had to get them ready. Even the skill guys went out and worked with them. I was worried at the beginning of the season, but they pulled through for us.
What does it mean to you to finish as the WPIAL career touchdowns leader and No. 5 all-time rusher?
Just playing, getting my name called to get the ball, I wasn't thinking about breaking records. It's huge on my behalf, just to be up there with those other guys and to be known.
How do you feel about being called the best player in Clairton history by your coach, Tom Nola?
It feels great because there's been a bunch of great players at Clairton, like Kevin Weatherspoon, Desimon Green and Manny Williams. It feels special to me, for my own coach to say that.
What do you think of finishing your career 63-1 with four WPIAL and four PIAA Class A championships?
We were untouchable. We love to win and hate to lose. We were ‘Bout Dat.' It's from a song. I used to say it all the time, that if you play for the Bears, you're definitely ‘Bout Dat.' It became our theme.
Are you excited to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl?
That's a huge accomplishment, but I wouldn't have made it if it wasn't for my teammates. It's a huge honor to be in it. I want to be able to show everybody what I can do with the ball.
Will you announce your college choice Jan. 5 at the Alamodome?
I'm not sure. It's Pitt, Michigan State, Rutgers, Tennessee and West Virginia. That's it. Penn State would be sixth. I've got kind of an idea where I want to go, but I want to see what else happens, which new schools I get offers from.
— Kevin Gorman
Terrific 25
Forrest Barnes RB
Seneca Valley, senior, 5-11, 190
Barnes led Quad-A with 1,676 rushing yards and 30 TDs, including one run that covered 96 yards.
Dorian Brown RB
Baldwin, senior, 5-10 190
Ohio recruit had 1,059 rushing yards and 12 TDs while drawing the focus of every opposing defense.
Zach Challingsworth
WR/DB, S. Fayette, senior, 6-2, 190
Pitt-bound receiver had 1,190 yards on 58 catches and scored 18 TDs for high-scoring Lions.
Hodari Christian RB/LB
McKeesport, senior, 6-0, 215
WVU commit was a two-way starter and the Tigers' third D1 linebacker recruit in three years.
Anthony Davis DB
Gateway, junior, 6-1, 175
Talented cornerback made six interceptions, most among the Gators' very deep secondary.
Jaleel Fields OT/DL
Aliquippa, junior, 6-2, 260
Talented two-way tackle helped Aliquippa reach the WPIAL and PIAA Class AA title games.
Robert Foster WR/DB
Central Valley, senior, 6-3, 185
Alabama commit, who had more rushes (59) than catches (45), had 1,200 total yards and 24 TDs.
Jeremy Gonzales C/DL
North Allegheny, senior, 6-1, 220
The two-way starter for the PIAA Class AAAA champion had 78 tackles and 12 sacks.
Tom Greene WR/DB
Woodland Hills, senior, 6-4, 190
The two-way starter led WH in receiving (38-713-8) and INTs (six), including two in the playoffs.
Dravon Henry RB/DB
Aliquippa, junior, 5-11, 185
Another talented Quips defensive back, Henry also rushed for 1,857 yards and scored 29 TDs.
Titus Howard WR/DB
Clairton, senior, 6-3, 170
The hard-hitting defensive back committed to Pitt also averaged 25 yards on 21 catches.
Dorian Johnson OT/DL
Belle Vernon, senior, 6-6, 290
Coveted lineman had high-caliber offers and briefly committed to Penn State before choosing Pitt.
Chandler Kincade QB
Blackhawk, junior, 6-5, 220
Pitt recruit had 2,220 passing yards and 16 touchdowns for the Cougars in just 10 games.
Patrick Kugler OT/DL
North Allegheny, senior, 6-4, 280
The Michigan recruit was a three-year starter at tackle, including both NA state title teams.
Mack Leftwich QB
North Allegheny, senior, 5-11, 190
His 3,331-yard passing season ranks second in WPIAL history, and UTEP recruit threw 45 TDs.
Shai McKenzie RB
Washington, junior, 6-0, 215
WPIAL's rushing leader had 2,689 yards — second most in league history — and scored 42 TDs.
Chavas Rawlins QB/DB
Monessen, senior, 6-3, 190
The WVU recruit had more than 1,300 yards passing, 600 rushing and 25 combined TDs.
Zach Schademan WR/DB
Thomas Jefferson, senior, 5-11, 170
Led the WPIAL with 21 TD catches and sparked the Jaguars with 51 catches and 1,120 yards.
Jawan Turner G/DL
Woodland Hills, senior, 6-0, 250
Athletic lineman set a Wolverines record with 22 sacks, including three in Class AAAA title game.
Terrish Webb WR/DB
Clairton, senior, 6-1, 175
Webb, who has a Pitt offer, had 43 catches for 940 yards and 13 TDs, but also made eight INTs at corner.
Jimmy Wheeler RB
West Mifflin, junior, 5-9, 165
First-year starter helped the Titans to the WPIAL Class AAA title game with 2,226 yards, 30 TDs.
Lenny Williams QB/DB
Sto-Rox, junior, 6-0, 190
Williams had 2,237 yards passing and 1,190 rushing for the WPIAL Class A runner-up, plus 43 TDs.
Thomas Woodson QB
Gateway, senior, 6-2, 225
Akron commit had 2,395 passing yards and 23 TDs, including a school-record five in one game.
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