Literal thunder and lightning spoiled some of the Week 1 high school football schedule Friday night. But there was also some figurative thunder and lightning on the Western Pennsylvania fields.
This season, KDKA Radio will again nominate players each week to join the KDKA Radio Super 7 Awards watch list. Every Monday, a new crop of players will be unveiled based on their efforts that previous Friday night. At the end of the year, KDKA Radio will announce the winners of the award for each WPIAL classification, as well as the Pittsburgh City League.
Here are the top performances from Week 1:
JaVaughn Moore, Bethel Park
Bethel Park has impressed in a pair of road wins to start 2023, and Moore has led the charge.
On Friday, the senior racked up 195 yards and three touchdowns — all in the first half — as the Black Hawks beat Mars 49-13.
Bethel Park is now 2-0, having toppled Seneca Valley 50-14 in Week 0.
Moore ran for over 1,000 yards as a junior last season.
Bobby Fadden, Mohawk
Fadden was able to show his dual threat abilities Friday night as Mohawk got into the win column for the first time in 2024.
The junior passed for 146 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 181 yards and two more scores as the Spartans topped rival Laurel 32-27.
Also a strong basketball player, Fadden moved from wide receiver to quarterback this year, taking the place of Jay Wrona, who passed for over 2,100 yards in 2023.
Julian Dahlem, Upper St. Clair
Dahlem has done a little bit of everything so far on 2024.
On Friday, what he did best was carry the rock.
The senior rushed for 165 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-6 win over Canon-McMillan.
Dahlem has now rushed for 282 yards, passed for 71 yards and pulled in a pass, helping the Panthers reach 2-0.
Aaron "Oobi" Strader, Pine-Richland
A year ago, Strader managed to burst onto the scene as a freshman thanks to his playmaking ability and flair for the dramatic.
On Friday, Strader showed those same traits in a comeback win over rival Central Catholic.
Strader passed for 137 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 199 yards and another score, helping the Rams top the Vikings 22-17.
The Rams advanced to 2-0 on the season.
The 2024 high school football season continues Friday, as KDKA Radio will bring you broadcast coverage of McKeesport vs Thomas Jefferson.
