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DL--Isaiah Betz, Warrior Run: A three-year starter, Betz produced his best season, collecting an area-high nine sacks and adding 19 tackles for loss. Betz has been at the heart of Warrior Run's transformation the last two years and the junior defensive end averaged 5.3 tackles per game while having at least one tackle for loss in 11 of 12 games. Betz came up huge in a district quarterfinal win against Mifflinburg with three sacks and his nine sacks totaled 71 yards in losses. He also recovered three fumbles while helping Warrior Run reach the district semifinals for the second time in program history. Betz has 164 career tackles with 37 for loss and 15 1/2 sacks. He also has forced two fumbles and played a key role in Warrior Run allowing 16 points or fewer in all six victories.
DL--Michael Davis, Canton: Despite missing two games with an injured shoulder, Davis was one of the area's best pass rushers and helped Canton again feature a stifling defense. A three-year starter who has played just about everywhere defensively during his scholastic career, Davis registered seven sacks before his injury and was a consistent game-changer. The senior showed that in a 27-21 win against Class A state semifinalist South Williamsport when he forced a fumble with a sack, recovered a fumble, set up two touchdowns, and ran for 100 yards and three scores. Davis was one of the team's few returning starters and helped Canton start 8-0. He also ran for 580 yards and 13 touchdowns, caught 16 passes for 390 yards and helped Canton go 37-7 with two district titles during his high school career.
DL--Slate Sechrist, Jersey Shore: Football has become quite a family tradition and Sechrist helped strengthen it this season, while anchoring a stout, well-rounded defensive line. Starting for the first time, Sechrist was outstanding in the middle of Jersey Shore's defense, making 63 tackles, including 38 solos, while adding 14 tackles for loss. The junior two-way starter also totaled four sacks and returned a fumble for a touchdown in his first start. Sechrist frequently disrupted the passing game and had 52 quarterback hurries as well. He and Kaden Walker were especially tough up front, making it hard for opponents to run against Jersey Shore as the Bulldogs again led the area in points and yards allowed per game. Sechrist was part of a starting unit which did not allow a point six times.
DL--Cole Yonkin, Montoursville: The Sun-Gazette's Defensive Lineman of the Year, Yonkin was a force for a young team, frequently stuffing the run and harassing the passer. Just as important as the plays Yonkin made were the ones he helped teammates make since opponents had to focus so much pressure on containing him. Yonkin averaged 7.3 tackles per game, a fantastic number for a lineman and also produced six sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Yonkin was among the area's best at hurrying the quarterback and forcing hurried throws. He was at his best against some of Montoursville's toughest opponents, recording multiple tackles for loss against Class AA state champion Southern Columbia, 4A semifinalist Selinsgrove, Jersey Shore (10-1-1) and District 4 Class AAA finalist Loyalsock. Yonkin also excelled on the offensive line and totaled 125 tackles with 10 sacks the past two seasons against one of the state's most demanding schedules.
LB--Devon Harris, Williamsport: Harris helped solidify one of the area's premier linebacking units and was a big reason a team which took a big graduation hit still improved and reached the District 2-4-11 Class 6A playoffs. He, Nariq Burks, Alonzo Rice and Deacon Brown all exceled and formed the backbone for a defense which allowed seven or fewer points four times and a starting unit which held the opposition without a point three times. Harris averaged nearly eight tackles per game, leading the team, and was strong against the run and pass. He generated three sacks, nine tackles for loss and helped Williamsport overcome a series of injuries to win four of its last five regular-season games.
LB--Bo Sechrist, Jersey Shore: Yet another outstanding football player in the Sechrist family, Bo may have been the MVP for the area's best unit. Only a sophomore, Sechrist fit like a glove into the starting lineup and made a team-high 107 tackles, including 63 solos and 17 for loss. Physical, fast and smart, Sechrist topped 10 tackles five times and had tackles for loss in 10 of 12 games. He was effective going after the passer or dropping into coverage, tallying 41 hurries, intercepting two passes and returning a fumble for a touchdown. Sechrist made 21 tackles in two playoff games, including nine solos against Selinsgrove in the final and five for loss. Sechrist helped Jersey Shore allow fewer than 10 points per game and also provided offensive backfield depth, running for 202 yards and six touchdowns.
LB--Hudson Ward, Canton: A player who personfied what has made Canton so good the last four years, Ward concluded an excellent high school career with his best season. Although he missed a game, Ward still led the area in tackles, making 149 and averaging 14.9 per game. A tackling machine with impeccable instincts, Ward topped 10 tackles nine times and made at least nine in every game, giving him 275 tackles the past two seasons. Ward added two sacks and made 12 tackles for loss. He also frequently changed the complexion of games, forcing and/or recovering four fumbles which led to touchdowns in the first five week. He also returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. Ward made 20 tackles in the victory at South and also played running back, wide receiver and center. The team captain ran for 454 yards and eight touchdowns before swithing to center.
LB--Logan Bastian, Loyalsock: The Sun-Gazette Linebacker and Defensive Player of the Year, Bastian was a force in the middle of Loyalsock's new-look defense. Whatever Loyalsock needed, Bastian delivered while providing excellent leadership. The four-year starter made 129 tackles, including a remarkable 98 solos, while averaging 9.9 tackles per game. A physical player who could move well and disrupt the passing game or stuff the run, Bastian also led the area with 26 tackles for loss. A player who helped Loyalsock reach either the district semifinals or championship all four seasons, Bastian returned an interception for a touchdown, topped 10 tackles seven times and was outstanding against state champion Southern Columbia and district champion Danville, making six tackles for loss in those games. Bastian produced multiple tackles for loss seven times this season and closes his high school career with 332 tackles, including 239 solos, and 44 for loss.
CB--Conor Knight, Hughesville: After breaking out as a sophomore in a big way the previous fall, Knight continued his success and became one of the area's premier defensive backs. Knight can play either cornerback or safety and finished tied for the area lead with six interceptions. The junior picked off passes in four consecutive games to close the regular season and helped Hughesville secure a season-opening win when he returned an interception for a touchdown. A physical player and sure tackler, Knight averaged 5.7 tackles per game and has nearly 150 tackles the last two seasons. He also has eight interceptions during that time. Knight emerged as a receiving threat as well, catching 44 passes for 518 yards.
CB--Dylan Scheller, South Williamsport: Like Knight, Scheller is an opportunistic ball hawk who can hit. The junior cornerback helped anchor the secondary and intercepted a team-high five passes, often while defending the opponent's top receiver. Scheller has displayed a knack for intercepting passes at key moments the past two seasons and leads the area with nine picks during that time. Scheller helped set the tone in a 33-0 state quarterfinal win against Northern Cambria when he returned an interception 53 yards to set up South's second touchdown. He also broke up six passes and recovered a fumble. Scheller made some big hits throughout the year and also caught 32 passes for 603 yards and eight touchdowns.
S--Carter Marr, Warrior Run: Another player who excelled at both defensive back and wide receiver, Marr was a big-play threat whenever he touched the football and that included on defense. The senior leader tied with Knight and Andrews for the interception crown with six, producing them in a five-week span and averaging 21.3 yards on those returns. Marr took one pick for a touchdown, forced a fumble and recovered another fumble. He anchored the secondary and averaged 3.5 tackles per game, adding three for loss. A three-year starter, Marr was a three-way threat, also returning a kickoff for a touchdown. Marr made a run at a 1,000-yard receiving season, finishing with 47 catches for 976 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 20.8 yards per catch.
S--Peyton Rearick, Milton: The quarterback of an outstanding defense, Rearick is another senior who helped Milton make a dramatic turnaround the past three seasons. The Sun-Gazette Defensive Back of the Year intercepted four passes in his final second, returning one for a touchdown. That gave Rearick 10 interceptions and three Pick 6's over the past two seasons as he helped Milton go 18-4. Rearick provided ample run support, covered a lot of ground and made 52 tackles. He broke up three passes, forced three fumbles and excelled in all three facets as Milton won its first league title in 22 years. Rearick made a leaping touchdown-saving interception at Jersey Shore and also was a versatile offensive threat who ran for two touchdowns, while catching 20 passes for 271 yards and two scores.
P--Connor Poole, Williamsport: Combining his kicking and punting, Poole put together one of the best seasons in area history. The all-star team will use Poole on kickoffs after he produced touchbacks nearly every time this fall. Poole was the district's best punter averaging a whopping 41.9 yards on 51 punts. He consistently flipped the field as well, dropping 19 punts inside the 20-yard line. A player who received multiple Division I offers and committed to Lehigh, Poole kicked eight field goals, including a 50-yarder, a 49-yarder, a game-winning 45-yarder against Hazleton and a 40-yarder. His four field goals of 40 or more yards are the most by an area kicker in the 2000s. Despite not kicking until his sophomore season, Poole closes his scholastic career with 15 field goals and 131 points, the ninth most produced during the 2000s.
Return Specialist--Connor Foltz, Central Mountain: Central Mountain's all-time leader in career catches and yards, Foltz also was a dynamic kick returner who took two kickoffs for touchdowns, covering 92 and 85 yards on returns. That gave Foltz three kick returns for touchdowns the past two seasons and he also averaged nearly 30 yards per return. Foltz led the team in receiving for a third straight year and finishes his high school career with 129 catches (seventh among area receivers in the 2000s), 1,865 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also shined in the secondary, intercepting five passes and taking one back for a touchdown.
Second Team
DL--Gabe Stark, Muncy; Kaden Walker, Jersey Shore; Jeremiah Johnson, Loyalsock; Connor Snyder, Milton; Isaiah West, Loyalsock; Ben Ferris, South; LB--Ryder Bowen, Wellsboro; Garrett Cooley, South; Michael Casale, Lewisburg; Alonzo Rice, Williamsport; DB--Ryan Opperman, Lewisburg; Payton Whitman, Jersey Shore; Stiles Eyer, Muncy; Will Burdett; P--Cohen Hoover, Lewisburg; Return specialist--Jeremiah Davis, Lewisburg