Southern Lehigh won the PIAA 4A title three weeks ago, but the accolades keep rolling in for the Spartans, who went 15-1 and earned the program’s first state title with a resounding 43-21 over Twin Valley on Dec. 4 at Cumberland Valley High School.
Sean Steckert, who ran for 300 yards and four touchowns in the state final and had 3,211 yards rushing and 45 touchdowns (both single-season school records), was voted the Player of the Year in Class 4A by the Pennsylvania Football Writers. The same media group also made Southern Lehigh coach Phil Sams the 4A Coach of the Year.
In addition, Sams’ son, Colton, who was the team’s quarterback, earned a spot on the 4A squad. Sams, a junior, repeated as an all-state selection after completing 190 of 263 passes for 2,689 yards and 36 TDs, a single-season school record. He is the school’s all-time leader in passing TDs and yards with one more high school season to go.
Southern Lehigh was also represented on the 4A team by senior offensive lineman Carter Giberson, an Albany commit, who helped the team gain 3,761 rushing yards. He was voted the Colonial-Schuylkill League Red Division lineman of the year. On defense he made 43 tackles, including 7.5 for loss and three sacks.
Rounding out the Spartans’ all-state contingent was senior linebacker Dariuz Lightner, who made 103 tackles, including 12 for loss and 2.5 sacks. He also had four interceptions, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.
Easton’s quarterback Cole Ordway runs the ball down the field Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, against Phillipsburg during the 118th annual Easton-Phillipsburg Thanksgiving football game at Fisher Stadium at Lafayette College in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
In Class 6A, six Eastern Pennsylvania Conference players were selected, including three from District 11 6A champ Easton.
The Red Rovers contingent was led by quarterback Cole Ordway, who threw for 1,402 yards and 17 TDs. He also had 233 carries for 1,977 yards and a single-season record 36 touchdowns. He ended his career as Easton’s all-time leader in passing yards, passing TDs, and total offense. He was the EPC’s offensive MVP and led the team to a school-record 14 wins in a 14-1 season.
Other Red Rovers honored included senior linebacker Sean Kilpatrick, who made 119 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss and three sacks. He was the EPC Northampton County co-defensive MVP. The other Easton selection was defensive back Sean McPeek, who made 52 tackles, including three tackles for loss, and had six interceptions including four returned for touchdowns.
Liberty senior quarterback Antonio Fontanez was also honored after he completed 174 of 268 passes for 2,827 yards and 38 touchdowns, both single-season school records, and he set single-game school records for passing TDs (6), and passing yards (382). He also had 325 yards rushing and eight TDs on the ground.
Nazareth’s Marquez Wimberly runs the ball down the field Friday Oct.31,2025, against Northampton at Nazareth High School. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)
Nazareth senior running back Marquez Wimberly, a Sacramento State commit, was recognized after compiling 202 carries for 1,771 yards and 23 TDs. He also had 22 catches for 279 yards and three scores. On defense, he had 58 tackles, including 10 for loss and four sacks. He also forced two fumbles, recovered a fumble and had an interception.
Parkland junior TJ Lawrence was chosen as an athlete and repeats as an all-state selection after making 70 tackles on defense, including six for losses. He had two fumble recoveries, and an interception. On offense, he had 150 carries for 1,114 yards and scored 26 touchdowns. He caught 16 passes for 237 yards and three TDs. He was also the EPC’s defensive MVP and helped Parkland go 12-1 and reach the district final.
Here’s a look at the 6,A 4A and 2A all-state squads from the Pennsylvania Football Writers:
Class 6A
Player of the Year: Gavin Sidwar, La Salle College H
Coach of the Year: Brett Gordon, La Salle College HS
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Gavin Sidwar, La Salle College HS – 6-3, 190 senior
Brooklyn Nace, Central York – 6-2, 195 senior
Antonio Fontanez, Liberty – 6-1, 180 senior
Cole Ordway, Easton – 6-0, 180 senior
Running Backs
Marquez Wimberly, Nazareth – 5-10, 206 senior
D’Antae Sheffey, State College – 6-0, 205 senior
Shavane Anderson, York High – 6-3, 195 senior
Mekhi Graham, Owen J. Roberts – 5-11, 205 junior
Wide Receivers
Joey O’Brien, La Salle College HS – 6-5, 190 senior
Elias Coke, Harrisburg – 6-3, 200 senior
Brendyn Smith, Central York – 5-10, 165 senior
Owen Johnson, La Salle College HS – 5-11, 180 sophomore
Jett Harrison, St. Joseph’s Prep – 6-2, 185 sophomore
Tight End
Michael Glover, Wilson – 6-2, 219 junior
Offensive Line
James Halter, Pittsburgh Central Catholic – 6-5, 270 junior
Grayson McKeogh, La Salle College HS – 6-8, 295 senior
Max Hiller, Coatesville – 6-6, 300 junior
Kevin Brown, Harrisburg – 6-5, 290 senior
Jimmy Kalis, Pittsburgh Central Catholic – 6-7, 285 junior
Athlete
Liam Taylor, Haverford High – 5-10, 200 senior
TJ Lawrence, Parkland – 5-11, 205 junior
Daryus Dixon, Manheim Township – 5-11, 180 senior
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Ashton Blatt, Pittsburgh Central Catholic – 6-4, 230 senior
Lincoln Hoke, North Allegheny – 6-2, 270 senior
Abraham Sesay, Downingtown East – 6-5, 223 junior
Isaac John Lewis, Harrisburg – 6-2, 200 junior
Alex Haskell, St. Joseph’s Prep – 6-4, 275 senior
Linebackers
Roman Thompson, Pittsburgh Central Catholic – 6-0, 205 junior
Terry Wiggins, Coatesville – 6-4, 200 senior
Noah Ewell, Harrisburg – 5-9, 190 senior
Sean Kilpatrick, Easton – 6-0, 220 senior
Colsen Gatten, Pittsburgh Central Catholic – 6-1, 215 senior
JP Oates, La Salle College HS – 6-3, 225 senior
Logan Wuckovich, Altoona – 6-1, 210 senior
Defensive Back
Sean McPeek, Easton – 6-4, 195 junior
Kaleb Woseley, Imhotep Charter – 6-0, 175 sophomore
Jaiden Carpenter, Wilson – 6-0, 145 senior
Masiia Acrey, St. Joseph’s Prep – 5-10, 180 junior
Specialist
Antonio DiFatta, Pittsburgh CC – 5-7, 165 junior
Athlete
Jaiyon Lewis, Harrisburg – 5-11, 165 senior
Jamir Duncan, Abraham Lincoln – 6-0, 160 senior
Class 4A
Player of the Year: Sean Steckert, Southern Lehigh
Coach of the Year: Phil Sams, Southern Lehigh
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Colton Sams, Southern Lehigh – 6-1, 172 junior
Torin Evans, Susquehanna Township – 6-0, 175 senior
Jonah Williamson, Trinity – 6-2, 210 senior
Marquis Council Jr., Aliquippa – 6-2, 191 senior
Running Backs
Kemon Spell, McKeesport – 5-10, 210 junior
Sean Steckert, Southern Lehigh – 5-9, 175 senior
Drew Engle, Twin Valley – 5-10, 185 senior
Amahj Gowans, Cardinal O’Hara – 5-8, 175 senior
Tyler Eber, Thomas Jefferson – 5-10, 182 junior
Armand Hill, West Mifflin – 5-9, 180 junior
Wide Receivers
Gabe Hein, Mars – 6-1, 175 senior
Nickayus Zenon, Middletown – 5-10, 180 senior
Thomas Pollock, Shikellamy – 5-9, 155 junior
Offensive Line
Greyson Miller, Twin Valley – 6-1, 260 senior
Carter Giberson, Southern Lehigh – 6-4, 320 senior
Yendor Mack, Susquehanna Township – 6-3, 295 senior
Sean Franklin, Mars – 6-6, 290 senior
Cole Zimmerman, North Pocono – 6-0, 280 senior
Athlete
Zakem Clinton, Shamokin – 6-1, 225 senior
Tymir Phillips, Meadville – 6-2, 170 senior
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Luke Thompson, Jersey Shore – 6-0, 200 senior
Izak Glover, Shamokin – 6-2, 405 senior
Josh Nengite, Susquehanna Township – 6-2, 215 senior
Noah Lucarelli, Oil City – 6-3, 237 senior
Tristan Laing, Cardinal O’Hara – 6-1, 245 senior
Justice Starks, Aliquippa – 6-0, 275 senior
Linebackers
Lucas Myers, Twin Valley – 6-1, 210 junior
Ryan Rementer, Twin Valley – 6-1, 200 senior
Bo Sechrist, Jersey Shore – 5-10, 200 senior
Evan Wolff, North Pocono – 6-2, 225 senior
Blake Stevens, Oil City – 5-11, 191 junior
Dariuz Lightner, Southern Lehigh – 6-0, 205 senior
Defensive Backs
QaLil Goode, Aliquippa – 6-2, 170 senior
Cole West, North Pocono – 6-2, 195 junior
Justice Hardy, Wyomissing – 5-10, 190 junior
Carson Watkins, Jersey Shore – 6-3, 175 senior
Specialist
Peter Fiorello, Lampeter-Strasburg – 5-10, 170 senior
Athletes
Logan Steele, Shamokin – 5-10, 170 junior
Ben Grundy, Twin Valley – 6-1, 185 senior
Colin Steinhart, Shamokin — 6-4, 200 junior
Class 2A
Player of the Year: Juelz Johnson, Farrell
Coach of the Year: Jim Roth, Southern Columbia
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Brady Shomper, Williams Valley – 5-11, 180 senior
Jacob Regan, Richland – 5-10, 165 sophomore
Aaron Pegues, Farrell – 6-1, 175 junior
Dante Carr, Minersville – 6-4, 225 senior
Yeboa Cobbold, Lansdale Catholic – 6-1, 185 senior
Wyatt Brosious, Bloomsburg – 5-9, 180 senior
Running Backs
Juelz Johnson, Farrell – 5-11, 185 senior
Brayden Andrews, Southern Columbia – 5-7, 165 senior
Colton Reber, Schuylkill Haven – 6-1, 210 junior
Vinnie Feliciano, Mercyhurst Prep – 5-10, 181 junior
Jerome Ross III, Steelton-Highspire – 6-2, 195 senior
Brendan Gilliland, Troy – 6-1, 195 senior
Wide Receivers
Jamere Christian, Richland – 5-8, 160 junior
Paiten LaPoint, Minersville – 5-10, 170 senior
Arnold Mugerwa, Richland – 6-4, 205 junior
Tight End
Jack Katulis, Bloomsburg – 6-3, 220 senior
Offensive Line
Greg Fulmer, Southern Columbia – 5-10, 220 senior
Micah Pesesky, Troy – 6-3, 275 junior
Chase Williams, Schuylkill Haven – 6-3, 342 senior
Sean Slaughenhaupt, Karns City – 5-10, 260 senior
Connor Bogdanski, Apollo-Ridge – 6-3, 330 senior
Athlete
David Naniewicz, Lakeland – 6-3, 215 senior
Cohen Zechman, Warrior Run – 5-7, 165 senior
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
John Quinton, Southern Columbia – 6-2, 245 senior
Rhashaud Dunbar, Farrell – 5-10, 180 senior
Terrance Smith, Lansdale Catholic – 6-6, 260 sophomore
Chase Williams, Southern Columbia – 6-3, 195 junior
Bryce Lewis, Cambria Heights – 6-1, 215 junior
Linebackers
Omario Boatwright, Farrell – 5-8, 175 junior
Talon Piatt, Southern Columbia – 5-6, 180 senior
Angel Luciano, Steelton-Highspire – 6-3, 220 senior
Niko Castillo, Schuylkill Haven – 6-2, 220 senior
Deyontay Gillespie, Farrell – 6-0, 185 freshman
Chase Marley, Columbia – 5-10, 175 sophomore
Defensive Backs
Da’Ron Barksdale, Steel Valley – 5-11, 190 senior
Dorean Cain, Farrell – 6-0, 180 junior
Bryson Durst, North Star – 5-9, 160 senior
Bentley Bainey, McCort-Carroll – 6-4, 175 junior
Specialist
Connor Anstadt, Hughesville — 6-1, 175 junior
Athlete
Teegan Carroll, Halifax – 6-2, 190 senior
Jadon King-Vincent, Farrell – 5-11, 160 junior
Grayson Mahla, Richland – 5-9, 195 junior