We’ve officially crossed the midway point of the 2021 high school football regular season and are now fully into conference play.
This week was a good one for the running backs, as we saw some players put up great performances on the ground. But a couple of those tailbacks also added a little variety to their game. Additionally, we highlight one of the top pass catchers in the region, who is making big plays for one of the WPIAL’s most promising offenses.
At the end of the high school football season, we will honor seven local players who stood out the most during 2021.
The awards will go to the top player in each WPIAL classification, as well as the best performer in the Pittsburgh City League.
Leading up to that, each week, we will highlight players who are in the running for the prestigious postseason award.
Previous Watch Lists: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4
Ethan Hiester, Upper St. Clair
Last season, Upper St. Clair took to the air frequently with quarterback Ethan Dahlem passing for over 1,500 yards. But the Panthers did add in some balance, with four players rushing for over 300 yards.
That strong ground game has continued in 2021, and Ethan Hiester benefitted from it Friday night.
Hiester rushed for 86 yards and scored twice, and also caught a 56-yard touchdown pass in a 31-3 blowout of rival Peters Township.
A do-it-all kind of player for Upper St. Clair, Hiester also made two tackles on defense and averaged 36.3 yards per punt as the team’s punter. This season, he has blocked two punts on special teams, as well.
The senior has picked up five college offers. Dayton, Valparaiso, Glenville State, Clarion and Walsh have all requested his services.
Dylan Sleva, Moon
In one of the top matchups in the WPIAL on Friday, Moon linebacker and tailback Dylan Sleva stepped up in a major way.
Sleva, a senior, ground out 116 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, helping the Tigers remain unbeaten with a 28-13 win over South Fayette.
One of the toughest linebackers in the region, Sleva has led Moon to a 6-0 start this year. The Tigers might have Class 5A’s best defense, allowing just 12.5 points per game.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder has only received interest from Ivy League schools, but the offers will likely start piling up soon due to his tremendous 2021 season.
Alex Tecza, Mt. Lebanon
Mt. Lebanon is having a remarkable, dominant season, and Alex Tecza is a big reason why.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound running back scored four touchdowns as the Blue Devils pushed their record to 6-0 with a 51-20 romp of North Allegheny Friday.
Tecza scored on a pair of 1-yard runs, a 2-yard jaunt and caught a 3-yard pass from quarterback Joey Daniels in the win.
Also a starting safety for the Blue Devils, Tecza is leading a two-sided juggernaut this season. Mt. Lebanon has outscored opponents 231-54 through six games.
Tecza also plays lacrosse, but has college football offers from Delaware, Colgate, Dartmouth, Holy Cross, Fordham, Duquesne, RMU, Davidson, Navy, Army, Columbia and Penn.
Patrick Body, Gateway
A big play threat for a team that likes to go to the air often, Patrick Body is having a strong senior season for Gateway. And, on Friday night, Body went off.
The senior Division I recruit caught four passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns, as Gateway rolled over Latrobe, 53-7.
Body is forming a great connection with another Super 7 Watch List player, sophomore quarterback Brad Birch, who currently leads the WPIAL in passing yards.
Body has caught 26 passes from Birch, going for 540 yards and three touchdowns in 2021.
In July, Body – a 3-star recruit – committed to Cincinnati, which is currently ranked No. 5 in the NCAA. He will likely play cornerback at the next level.
KDKA Radio’s coverage of WPIAL football continues this week with the Quest for the Best Show at 6 p.m. on Thursday night. On Friday, Dan Zangrilli, Johnny Lee, Robert Mangino, Dorin Dickerson and Cale Berger bring you live coverage of Gateway at Penn-Trafford. You can hear the show, and the game, on 100.1 FM and 1020 AM News Radio KDKA.
Take a look back at highlights from Friday’s KDKA Radio Game of the Week, Laurel Highlands at Belle Vernon.