Frazer named AP's Class AAA Player of the Year
Lagomarsino wins honor in Class AA

By Tom Robinson, NFLHS.com

Record-setting performances led to postseason recognition for some of Pennsylvania's top high school football players.

Mechanicsburg junior quarterback Zach Frazer was selected as the Associated Press Class AAA Player of the Year after throwing for more yards in a season than any player in state history.

Lansdale Catholic running back R.C. Lagomarsino was named AA Player of the Year after setting a state championship game record with 353 yards rushing in a 40-17 win over Grove City.

Southern Columbia quarterback Dan Latorre contributed to a team state playoff record-setting rushing performance on the way to the Class A award and Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt running back LeSean McCoy continued his pursuit of the state's career rushing record while earning the Class AAAA honor.

Player of the Year and Coach of the Year awards in each class highlight Pennsylvania's most prestigious all-state team. The teams are selected by the Associated Press through statewide balloting of sports writers and broadcasters.

CLASS AAAA: McCoy led the state in rushing for the second straight season with 2,828 yards. That gives the junior 5,750 yards and a strong shot at the record held by current Indianapolis Colt and former East Stroudsburg runner James Mungro.

McCoy racked up those totals despite early-season ankle troubles. He ran for more than 1,000 yards in four playoff games.

Art Walker of state champion Pittsburgh Central Catholic repeated as Coach of the Year.

CLASS AAA: Frazer threw for 3,674 yards to lead Mechanicsburg to the District 3 final where it lost to defending state champion and eventual state finalist Manheim Central.

Bill Cherpak, who helped Thomas Jefferson overcome two regular-season losses and deficits in three playoff games to win the state title, was named Coach of the Year.

CLASS AA: Lansdale Catholic swept the awards. Lagomarsino was named top player while Jim Algeo was named Coach of the Year.

Like McCoy, Lagomarsino went over 2,000 yards for the second straight season. He finished with 2,488 yards and 31 touchdowns. He ran for more than 1,000 in four state playoff games.

Algeo, 68, a 37-year veteran with 252 career wins, won his first state title less than a year after undergoing heart surgery.

CLASS A: Latorre went over 100 yards rushing when Southern Columbia ran for 768 yards in a record-setting 76-47 state quarterfinal win over Pius X then ran for four touchdowns in the 35-0 state championship game victory over Rochester.

Latorre finished 91-for-146 passes for 1,732 yards and 18 touchdowns. He rushed for 1,042 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Gene Matsook of Rochester was named Coach of the Year. Matsook has been to four state finals, winning two, in six seasons.

ALL-STATE NOTES: Two of Frazer's receivers were first-team, all-state choices. Tight end Josh Koontz caught 81 passes for 1,405 yards and 12 touchdowns. Jeremy Boone was named first-team punter with an average of 45.2 yards, but also caught 84 passes for 1,083 yards and seven touchdowns.

Thomas Jefferson quarterback Brad Dawson threw for more than 2,000 yards but was a first-team choice as a defensive back for his five interception returns for touchdowns, including one in the state final.

The record-setting Seton-LaSalle passing combination took first-team berths in Class AA.

Bill Stull threw for a District 7 record 3,310 yards along with 40 touchdowns.

Carmen Connolly caught a state record 116 passes.

A number of sources were used in compiling this report.