Dec 19, 2012 By Eleanor Baileysports Editorebailey@thealmanac.Net 16 min read

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Tyler Roth

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Brett Brumbaugh

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Luke Brumbaugh

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Mike Minjock

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Dale Klobuchir

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Troy Apke

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Zach Challingsworth

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Mark Buda

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Scott Orndorff

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Austin Park

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Mike Mondzelewski

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Ben Huss Jr.

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Alex Bookser

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Mike Brucker

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John Loper

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Garett Vulcano

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Mike Dunn

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John Mascaro

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Tim Briercheck

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Mike Fetchet

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Cory Sevacko

22 / 26

Matt McGraw

23 / 26

Nico DiPaolo

24 / 26

John Rutkowski

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Levi Metheny

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Mike Melnyk

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Drama defined the 2012 football season as Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon waged war in the highest division and the Panthers needed to block a last-second field goal by the Blue Devils to preserve victory and their claim to the conference championship, although both teams finished 7-1 in the Southeastern Conference standings.

So too, a civil war embroiled South Fayette and Seton-La Salle as brother battled brother for the Century Conference. Quarterbacked each by a Brumbaugh, Brett bested his sibling Luke as the Lions rolled undefeated through the division. However, both clubs met their demise in Class AA playoff action, each stymied by Shai McKenzie and his Little Prexies from Washington. While the Rebels finished 9-2 overall, SF finished 11-1 and a win shy of reaching Heinz Field for the WPIAL championships.

Likewise, USC and Lebo fell short of that objective, too. After a record-breaking year, Lebo finished 8-3 overall, falling to Seneca Valley in the Quad-A quarterfinals. A loss to Woodland Hills prevented the Panthers from making a second straight trip to the district finals. USC finished 10-2 overall this fall.

So it comes as no surprise that these clubs dominate the 31st edition of The Almanac’s Premier Pigskin Performers. This year’s unit, as past selections, was chosen in cooperation with the area head coaches. Their input coupled with statistics and games attended during the season were taken into consideration when picking the players who received recognition.

Pete Coughlin copped the biggest prize as the USC senior earned Most Valuable Player laurels. (See related story.) Mt. Lebanon’s Mike Melnyk claimed Coach of the Year accolades. With six selections among them, USC and Lebo leads the list of this year’s all-stars.

A two-time Almanac performer, last year as a defensive back, he continued to play in Lebo’s secondary while starting his first full season at quarterback in new head coach Mike Melnyk’s system. While on defense, he picked off one pass, recorded 19 tackles and anchored a unit that allowed only 210 points, Roth smashed multiple Mt. Lebanon school records.

Roth shattered single-game and single-season passing records at Lebo. He also led the league in passing during the regular season.

A two-time All-Conference and All-Almanac selection, last year as a defensive back, Roth completed 156 of his 295 attempts for a school-record 2,514 yards. He broke the passing mark for a single game with 365 yards in a 21-19 loss to USC.

Roth also set the school standards for touchdowns. He threw a single-game high five scores against Woodland Hills and a single-season record 28 TDs.

A versatile athlete, Roth has started three years on the basketball team, including his sophomore season when Lebo reached the state finals.

The team captain will play football for Princeton University while pursuing a degree in engineering. “To be accepted to such a prestigious school,” said Melnyk, “speaks volumes about Tyler as an athlete, student and person. He leads by example, is a tremendous competitor and an even better young man.”

Brett Brumbaugh, QB

South Fayette, Soph.

After a breakout freshman season, where he completed 48 of 76 passes for 606 yards and seven scores, this sophomore more than quadrupled his output. In fact, he ranked No. 2 in the WPIAL, behind only Mack Leftwich from North Allegheny’s state championship club.

The 6-3, 180-pound signal caller completed 63 percent of his passes. He connected on 154 of his 245 attempts for 2,823 yards. He tossed 37 TD strikes while intercepted only nine times.

Brumbaugh rushed for three touchdowns while directing an offense that racked up 78 scores and averaged 401.3 yards per game.

SF head coach Joe Rossi predicts big things for Brumbaugh. “He’s come a long way and he’s going to keep progressing. I think he can be one of the top quarterbacks in the state, if not the nation, by the time he’s a senior,” Rossi said.

Luke Brumbaugh, Sr

Seton-La Salle, QB/DB

A two-year starter, he engineered the Rebels’ offense and ranked No. 13 in the WPIAL in passing. Brumbaugh completed 111 of his 204 passes for 1,795 yards and 19 touchdowns.

He rushed for four touchdowns and a two-point conversion to finish with 24 points.

As a junior, he put up 1,228 yards passing and 12 touchdowns during an 11-2 campaign

A two-way starter, Brumbaugh has committed to Robert Morris.

“Luke has arm strength,” said SLS head coach Greg Perry. “He can throw the ball deep. He reads defenses better and that’s because he’s watched and studied a lot of film.”

Mike Minjock, Sr

Peters Township, RB

An All-Conference tailback, he had a record-setting season for the Indians. Minjock scored a school-record 19 touchdowns and helped the Indians to the WPIAL Quad-A playoffs, where they gave No. 3 seed Gateway all it could handle in the first round of the tournament. It was the Indians’ third-straight playoff appearance, a feat never performed by the school’s football team.

Minjock rushed for 1,323 yards on 190 carries for a 7-yard average. Those rushing numbers rank third all-time in PT school history for a season.

Minjock, who scored a perfect 800 on the math portion of the SAT test, averaged 28.2 yards per kick-off, a school record. He earned offensive MVP honors at PT this fall.

Of Minjock, who runs in the spring on the track team, PT coach Rich Piccinini said, “Mike is truly a leader. He leads by example. He’s an exceptional person with a great work ethic.”

Dale Klobuchir, Sr.

Keystone Oaks, RB

For the second season in a row, this tailback rushed for over 1,000 yards. He piled up 1,043 yards on 181 carries for a 5.8-yard average. In addition to being the team’s leading rusher, Klobuchir ranked second in receiving. He pulled in 12 passes for 112 yards and a 9.3-yard average. He ranked second on the club with seven touchdowns.

Klobuchir also excelled as a linebacker for the Golden Eagles, who posted a 2-7 record.

“Dale’s a solid, two-way player,” said KO skipper Matt Taylor. “He anchored our linebackers and called all the defenses.”

Troy Apke, Jr.

Mt. Lebanon, WR

During the pre-season, Lebo skipper Mike Melnyk predicted big things for this definite Division I recruit and Apke did not disappoint. He set many new standards for future receivers.

Ranked No. 5 in the WPIAL in receiving, Apke caught 54 passes for 1,048 yards and 13 touchdowns. In addition to smashing school records for single-season yardage and TDs scored, the all-conference selection set single game marks for receptions (11) and yards (273) in Lebo’s win over Woodland Hills.

In addition to his work ethic and willingness to learn, Apke will go far predicts Melnyk because of his natural abilities. “I have coached kids who have gone on to become college All-Americans or have been all-state, but Troy has the skill set. Troy has great size, speed and good hands.”

Zach Challingsworth, Sr.

South Fayette, WR, DB

An All-State performer for two years, he was also voted the Century Conference’s MVP for 2012. Challingsworth also earned first-team all-conference honors as a wide receiver and defensive back.

A repeat Almanac performer, he ranked No. 4 in the WPIAL in receiving. He pulled in an amazing 58 passes for 1,190 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also averaged seven yards when he carried the ball and tallied two more scores.

Challingsworth seldom left the field. He excelled in the secondary, leading the Lions with four interceptions. He totaled 29 tackles, 24 of them solo. He deflected and forced two fumbles each, recovering one. He scored two defensive touchdowns.

A two-year captain, who contributed to South Fayette’s WPIAL championship and PIAA runner-up run in 2010 as a sophomore, Challingsworth also maintained one of the highest punt averages in the district. His 14 punts netted 541 yards for a 38.6-yard average. He also averaged 33.3 yards on kick-off and punt returns.

Mark Buda, Sr.

Mt. Lebanon, TE

A first-team All-Conference pick, this tight end pulled in 23 receptions for 330 yards and four touchdowns. He also helped shore up an offensive line that protected its quarterback, enabling him to pass for a record 2,514 yards, and paved the way for the running game to rack up 1,502 rushing yards.

On defense, he recorded 13 tackles, eight of them solo. He had one sack for minus seven yards.

Scott Orndorff, Sr.

Seton-La Salle TE/LB

A Pitt recruit, he caught 18 passes from his tight end position on offense for 313 yards. He maintained a 17.4-yard average per reception.

An all-conference pick, Orndorff scored seven touchdowns and finished second on the team with 42 points. He also anchored the linebacking corps and handled the punting duties for the Rebels, who finished 9-2 overall.

Austin Park, Sr.

Upper St. Clair, C

A three-year starter and a two-time all-conference selection, he gained his second appearance on The Almanac’s all-star list.

Park anchored USC’s offensive line. Thanks to his efforts, the Panthers average six yards per play. They gained over 3,500 yards of offense and racked up 407 points during their 10-2 campaign, which included a conference championship and appearance in the WPIAL Quad-A semifinals.

A senior, Park, who had a fumble recovery for a touchdown this season, will continue his playing career at Amherst College in Massachusetts.

Mike Mondzelewski, Sr

Upper St. Clair OL

This tackle was named to the Southeastern Conference’s first team. He helped anchor a line that protected a quarterback, who passed over 1000 yards, and paved the way for the club to roll up over 2,100 yards on the ground during a 10-2 season, that featured a conference title for the Panthers.

Ben Huss, Jr.

Upper St. Clair, OL

Another Southeastern Conference, first-team performer, Huss will be expected to lead the line in 2013. The junior helped shore up the O-line, which afforded USC on average a 6-yard gain on each play. A two-way player, Huss also made some key defensive plays for the Panthers, who finished 10-2 overall after falling to Woodland Hills in the WPIAL Quad-A semifinals.

Alex Bookser, Jr.

Mt. Lebanon, DL

A two-year, two-way starter, he earned first-team Southeastern Conference all-star acclaim as a defensive lineman. A Division I prospect, he dominated the action in the trenches and helped Lebo limit the opposition to 1673 yards rushing and 1561 yards passing over an 11-game campaign.

Bookser managed 51 tackles, 33 of them solo. He led the team with four sacks and three blocked kicks. He also recovered a fumble.

Mike Brucker, Sr.

Bethel Park, DL

A two-way starter and anchor in the trenches for the Hawks, he gained all-conference, first-team acclaim. He recorded 45 tackles and sacked the quarterback four times. He also had eight tackles for losses. Brucker helped lead BP to a 7-4 record and a WPIAL Quad-A quarterfinal playoff appearance, where the Hawks lost to eventual district and state champion, North Allegheny. BP’s defense recorded one shutout and allowed 210 points. As a tight end, Brucker averaged 15 yards a reception.

John Loper, Sr.

Upper St. Clair, DL

An all-conference pick, he anchored a defensive unit that recorded five shutouts. During a 10-2 season, the Panthers surrendered just 120 points and limited the opposition to 162 total yards per game. Loper excelled on a defense that also intercepted seven passes and forced 12 fumbles, an average of one per game.

Garrett Vulcano, Sr.

Char-Houston, LB

In a division dominated by Clairton, which won a fourth-straight district and state title and set a state record for victories, this 6-1, 190-pound senior excelled like none other. The four-year starter and team captain garnered defensive MVP honors in the Black Hills Conference.

A repeat Almanac All-Star, Vulcano compiled 131 tackles, six for losses. He recorded 3.5 sacks, one safety and seven pass break-ups to go along with two interceptions and one fumble recovery. In his career, the all-state performer produced 444 career tackles, 8.5 sacks and six forced fumbles, intercepted three passes and recovered two fumbles.

A three-time all-conference pick, Vulcano played the slot receiver spot for the Bucs, who finished 4-5 overall. He managed 296 yards and four touchdowns on 18 receptions.

A standout wrestler, who owns over 100 career wins, Vulcano was 44-7 last winter and earned gold, silver and bronze medals at the section, district and regional levels.

Mike Dunn, Sr.

Canevin, LB

Last year’s conference MVP, he again gained first-team all-league honors at linebacker. A three-year starter and team captain, he led the team with 112 tackles. He also managed 10 tackles for losses and recorded four quarterback sacks for the Crusaders, who finished fourth in the Black Hills Conference with a 6-3 slate and garnered a playoff spot. (quote or schools recruiting)

John Mascaro, Sr.

Bethel Park, LB

“Tough” is the world Hawks’ skipper Jeff Metheny uses to describe this compact, 5-10, 200-pound two-way starter. Defensively, he racked up 49 tackles. He intercepted one pass and recovered one fumble. An all-conference linebacker, Mascaro was used in BP’s offensive schemes as a fullback because of his “incredible” blocking abilities. “As a blocker,” Metheny said, “John was very tough.” He gained 303 yards on 65 carries and barreled into the end zone eight times.

Tim Briercheck, Sr.

Mt. Lebanon, LB

An all-conference performer, this linebacker led Lebo in tackles with 94, 70 of them solo. Briercheck also ranked No. 1 with 11 tackles for losses. He recovered one fumble and recorded one sack for the Blue Devils, who allowed 1673 yards rushing and 1581 yards passing to opposing teams throughout their 8-3 season.

A two-way starter, he also led the Blue Devils in rushing with 382 yards and three touchdowns.

Mike Fetchet, Sr.

South Fayette, LB

Another all-conference performer for the Lions, he ranked No. 2 on the team with 46 solo and 25 assisted tackles for a total of 71. A first-team All-Century Conference pick, Fetchet produced five tackles for losses and five deflections to go along with on fumble recovery and one interception. He scored one defensive touchdown for the Lions, who rolled to an undefeated conference championship and finished 11-1 overall after a WPIAL Class AA semifinal defeat at the hands of Washington.

A two-way star, Fetchet also excelled on offense. As a wide receiver, he pulled in 16 aerials for 334 yards and five scores. In addition to averaging 20.8 yards per reception, he managed 44.6 yards per punt and kick-off returns.

Football is not necessarily Fetchet’s best sport. He finished fifth in last year’s PIAA wrestling championships. He is also on the radar of Major League Baseball scouts. Fetchet will matriculate to Columbia in the fall of 2013.

Cory Sevacko, Sr.

Keystone Oaks, DB

This senior makes his second straight appearance on The Almanac’s football all-star list.

A do-it-all player for the Golden Eagles, Sevacko hauled in 45 passes for 591 yards and seven scores. He also averaged 6.8 yards per carry while the rushing the football and scored another TD.

His eight scores coupled with eight points on conversions after touchdowns enabled Sevacko to lead the team with 56 points.

An All-Conference performer, he led KO’s defense in the secondary. He recorded 75 tackles, deflected 19 passes and caused two fumbles. He had one interception and one fumble recovery.

Sevacko, who is an all-star performer on the basketball courts, also handled the punting for the Golden Eagles.

“Cory quarterbacked our secondary,” said KO coach Matt Taylor. “We depended upon him to make the big plays and as our featured wide out, he made a number of big-play receptions.”

Matt McGraw, Sr.

Mt. Lebanon DB

One of only two area athletes selected to the Southeastern Conference’s all-star team as a defensive back, he ranked second on the team in tackles with 76, 50 of them solo and two of them for losses. He ranked No. 1 on the team with four fumble recoveries. A free safety, he also he also picked off one pass on a defense that allowed 210 points in 11 games. A two-way starter, he also excelled as a wide receiver. He grabbed 12 passes for 200 yards.

Nico DiPaolo, Sr.

Canevin, DB

A two-way performer, he gained Black Hills All-Conference acclaim on defense as a safety. DiPaolo led the Crusaders with four interceptions. He also racked up 69 tackles for Canevin, which posted a 6-3 mark in a league dominated by four-time state champion, Clairton.

On offense, DiPaolo engineered the club at quarterback, passing for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns. The Crusaders finished 6-4 overall after a playoff loss to rival North Catholic.

John Rutkowski, Sr.

Upper St. Clair, DB

A versatile player, excelling on offense and special teams as well as defense, he had some of his finest performances in the playoffs. Against Central Catholic, he scored his first career touchdown. He also helped block a punt and intercepted a pass. Rutkowski excelled on a defense that recorded five shutouts. He earned honorable mention recognition on the all-conference team as a multipurpose back. (Look up Central game).

Levi Metheny, Fr.

Bethel Park, ROTY

After a disheartening loss to neighboring Mt. Lebanon, 17-7, BP head coach Jeff Metheny declared that he didn’t care whether a player was a sophomore or a freshman, if he could help the team, he would play. Thus, Levi Metheny, the coach’s son, moved into the position as starting quarterback. And, oh could the freshman play.

During his debut season, the 6-0, 175-pound signal caller helped guide the Hawks to a 7-4 record, where they tied Woodland Hills in the Southeastern Conference and reached the WPIAL quarterfinals. Metheny completed 84 of 139 pass attempts for 1,126 yards and seven touchdowns. He also rushed for 375 yards on 99 carries for seven more scores.

Mike Melnyk

Mt. Lebanon, COTY

According legendary Upper St. Clair head coach Jim Render, WPIAL Quad-A football action is a whole different animal than anything else that is going on in football or in any other sport. It is one of the main reasons that this area is held in such high regard across the country. So, to assume the reins at one of these renowned programs, only months before the season commences, and to guide it to success speaks volumes for a skipper such as Mike Melnyk.

Arriving at Mt. Lebanon from Manheim in mid-April, Melnyk not only took over the head coaching duties, he introduced a whole new offensive scheme. The Blue Devils went from a run-dominated club to a wide-open attack that played up the passing game.

And, Melnyk’s men responded. The Blue Devils set new statistically standards in several offensive categories, including special teams, en route to an 8-3 season. They were a blocked field goal away from claiming an undefeated conference championship when their arch rival Upper St. Clair held on for a 21-19 victory. The Blue Devils also advanced to the Elite Eight in the playoffs.

For his efforts during his inaugural year at the helm, Melnyk has been named Almanac Coach of the Year.