Conference play kicked into high gear Friday with a number of exciting, high scoring games highlighting Week 4. In those contests were a few strong individual performances that have landed four players on the KDKA Radio Super 7 Watch List.
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 4:
Zier Williams, Deer Lakes
For the first time in program history, Deer Lakes is 5-0 to start a season.
On Friday, the Lancers reached that mark by scoring a wild 47-35 victory over East Allegheny.
Williams paced the Deer Lakes offense, rushing 28 times for 248 yards and two touchdowns.
The senior tailback and the Lancers next face Highlands this coming Friday.
Xxavier Thomas, Central Catholic
With his future college coach — James Franklin — in the building, Thomas went out and showed why Penn State was interested in his versatile skillset.
The senior pulled in two touchdown passes, had an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown and also hauled in an interception — all before halftime — as Central Catholic routed Hempfield 42-0.
Thomas is a 3-star cornerback recruit who committed to the Nittany Lions in December.
After starting the season 0-2, the Vikings have won three straight and have a massive showdown with North Allegheny Friday in a game that can be heard on KDKA Radio.
Kyle Dupill, Franklin Regional
Dupill put up true workhorse numbers Friday night against rival Gateway.
The senior rushed 36 times for 226 yards and two touchdowns, mostly after halftime, before cramps knocked him out of the Panthers' 36-34 win over the Gators.
The shootout win was a stark contrast to Franklin Regional's victory a week earlier, when it beat a tough Latrobe team 3-0.
The Panthers host Kiski Area Friday night.
Kaevon Gardner, New Castle
New Castle has put together back-to back-back one-win seasons over the last couple of years. But times have changed for the Red Hurricanes.
On Friday, Gardner — also a strong track athlete — rushed for 192 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-32 win over Knoch.
The win took New Castle — which has scored 42 or more points in three of four games — to 4-0 to begin the season, setting up a gigantic test Friday at Aliquippa.
The 2024 high school football season continues Friday, as KDKA Radio will bring you broadcast coverage of North Allegheny vs Central Catholic.
