It was a great high school football season, with six area teams making appearances in the PIAA State Championships and a pair of titles won for the West.
Now, as we put a lid on the 2023 season, we recognize the top players from the region with the KDKA Super 7 High School Football Awards. And YOU get to help us decide the winners.
Starting New Year’s Day, KDKA will open voting for the Super 7 Players of the Year in each WPIAL classification, as well as the Pittsburgh City League.
Below are the three finalists from each class, including brief descriptions on their fantastic seasons:
Class 6A
Logan Kushner, North Allegheny – Passed for 1,877 yards, rushed for 1,475 yards, and accounted for 48 touchdowns as the Tigers won the WPIAL 6A title.
Payton Wehner, Pittsburgh Central Catholic – St. Francis (Pa.) recruit who racked up 2,940 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, finishing at Central Catholic’s all-time passer.
Cole Sullivan, Pittsburgh Central Catholic – Michigan commit who caught 30 passes and scored seven touchdowns, while anchoring the Vikings’ defensive line.
Class 5A
Mickey Vaccarello, Peters Township – 3-star linebacker recruit who led Class 5A’s best defense and took the Indians to a 15-1 record and WPIAL title.
Ryan Cory, Pine-Richland – Wisconsin offensive line signee who helped the Rams’ line bully their way to over 200 rushing yards per game.
Brad Birch, Gateway – 2-time first team all-state selection who finished with the third-most passing yards in WPIAL history and over 100 career touchdowns.
Class 4A
Tiqwai Hayes, Aliquippa – Electric running back recruit who is committed to Penn State and rushed for 1,746 yards and 23 touchdowns to help the Quips to an undefeated season and WPIAL and PIAA titles.
Jake Wolfe, Montour – Compiled over 3,500 all-purpose yards – including 2,662 passing– and 45 total touchdowns as the Spartans went 10-2.
Keith Spell, McKeesport – Bruising running back and Cal (Pa.) commit who rushed for over 700 yards, was a force on the defensive line, and guided the Tigers to the WPIAL Championship Game.
Class 3A
Quinton Martin, Belle Vernon – The WPIAL’s highest rated recruit who is signed with Penn State, and who posted 2,021 all-purpose yards and 28 total touchdowns for the WPIAL and state champs.
Andrew Kuban, Avonworth – Senior who hauled in 895 receiving yards, rushed for 663 yards, made 52 tackles on defense and accounted for 20 total touchdowns for the 12-1 Antelopes.
Braden Laux, Belle Vernon – Eastern Michigan recruit who passed for 1,624 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for eight scores as the Leopards won a second-straight state title.
Class 2A
Donald Barksdale, SV – As a junior, put together 2,061 yards and 36 touchdowns on the ground, while making 53 tackles and intercepting four passes on defense.
Brixx Rawl, Beaver Falls – Rushed for 785 yards and eight touchdowns while leading the Tigers’ defense with 81 tackles en route to a surprising WPIAL Championship win.
Jaivin Peel, Western Beaver – Set the WPIAL freshman passing record with 2,889 yards and 33 touchdown – the third-most yards on any freshman passer in the nation.
Class 1A
Matt Sieg, Fort Cherry – Posted massive sophomore season with 1,671 passing yards and 2,387 rushing yards – the most yards for any WPIAL player through his sophomore season – while scoring 62 total touchdowns.
Braylon Thomas, Union – Two-time all-state quarterback who passed for over 2,000 yards and rushed for over 1,200 more, while accumulating 50 touchdowns.
Ryan Navarra, South Side – Rushed for 776 yards and 11 touchdowns and helped a South Side defense that allowed 11.1 points per game and reached the WPIAL final.
City League
Daniel "Boy Boy" Cain, USO – Senior who made 44 catches for 821 yards and 16 touchdowns, while registering four return touchdowns and a rushing score.
TyJuane Abram, Westinghouse – Senior tailback who carried offensive load for Bulldogs, which won another City League title and finished state runner-up for a second-straight season.
Taymir O'Neal, Westinghouse – Dynamic receiver who established himself as a big play threat and strong defensive back for the Bulldogs.