If these guys had first-game jitters they surely didn’t show it.
Pennsylvania’s high school football scene saw its share of big-time passing, receiving and rushing performances in the first games over the weekend.
The following is a quick look at the best of the bunch. Take a look at the performances, then cast your vote for who Pennsylvania’s player of the week from the first week was in the poll at the bottom of the page. The poll will close at 11:59 Thursday, and we’ll announce the winner of the Week 1 fan vote Friday on PennLive.
Coaches, players, scorekeepers and fans who want a player considered for this weekly list should tag @SportsByBLinder on Twitter with the player’s name and stats following their games on Fridays and Saturdays.
Pa.’s Top Week One Performances
Aiden Wardzinski, RB, Brentwood — Wardzinski ran 36 times for 262 yards and four touchdowns in a 33-21 win over Seton La Salle.
Gamal Marballie, RB, Yough — Marballie ran for 256 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries in a 29-6 win over Chartiers-Houston.
Eddy Tillman, RB, Central Catholic — Tillman ran for 197 yards and a touchdown in a 45-17 win over Canon-McMillan.
Brandon Pezzelle, QB, Central Catholic — Pezzelle threw four touchdown passes in a 45-15 win over Canon-McMillan.
Colton Brain, QB, Baldwin — Brain was 18 of 25 passing for 310 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another in his team’s 27-7 win over Hollidaysburg.
Cole Spencer, QB, Pine-Richland — Spencer was 15 of 17 passing for 338 yards and five touchdowns in a 53-7 win over Fox Chapel.
Eli Jochem, WR, Pine-Richland — Jochem caught five passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns in a 53-7 win over Fox Chapel.
Josh Hough, RB, Beaver Falls — The big back rumbled for touchdowns of 5, 76 and 15 yards in his team’s 47-14 win over Riverside.
Ethan Carr, QB, Penn-Trafford — Carr accounted for four touchdowns, passing for 180 yards and three scores and rushing for another, to lead his team to a 48-0 win over Latrobe.
Naman Alemada, QB, South Fayette – Alemada was 14 of 19 passing for 224 yards and four touchdown in a 42-14 in over Dover, Ohio.
Vernon Redd, RB, Aliquippa — Redd scored on a 93-yard run and a 62-yard punt return in his team’s 44-28 win over New Castle.
James Sanders, WR, Jeannette — Sanders caught nine passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-28 loss to Clairton.
Devin Whitlock, QB, Belle Vernon — Whitlock ran for 224 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries to lead Belle Vernon to a 20-0 win over McKeesport.
Matt Frauen, RB, Notre Dame — Frauen carried 25 times for 168 yards and three touchdowns and caught four passes for 60 yards and another score in a 36-20 win over Pine Grove.
Gunner Bax, FB, Girard — Bax ran for 219 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries in his team’s 42-21 win over Mercyhurst Prep.
Nassir Jones, TE, Williamsport — Jones caught five passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns in a 43-18 win over Nanticoke.
K.J. Riley, QB, Danville — Riley was 14 of 20 passing for 266 yards and five touchdowns in a 49-7 win over Mifflinburg.
Joey Prentice, QB, North Catholic — Prentice accounted for six touchdowns, passing for 218 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for 114 yards and two more scores in a 55-7 win over Derry.
Denny Robinson, RB, Rochester — Robinson ran for 169 yards and three touchdowns
Caden Olsen, QB, Armstrong — Olsen was 20 of 33 passing for 396 yards and three touchdowns in a 21-7 win over Indiana.
Chandler Thimons, QB, Highlands — Thimons threw four touchdowns to lead his team to a 39-7 win over Knoch.
Dontae Sanders, RB, Clairton — Sanders ran for 209 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-28 win over Jeannette.
Deontae Williams, QB, Woodland Hills — Williams was 10 of 15 passing for 276 yards and four touchdowns in his team’s 60-20 win over Connellsville.
Teddy Ruffner, RB, Mars — Ruffner rushed for 254 yards and four touchdowns on 24 carries in his team’s 35-13 win over Hampton.
Chris Juchno, QB, McDowell — Juchno passed for 199 yards and four touchdowns in his team’s 36-12 win over Erie.
Brandon Wheary, QB, Jersey Shore — Wheary was 16 of 25 passing for 172 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-7 win over Shamokin.
Jacob Fello, QB, Apollo-Ridge — Fello was 12 of 17 passing for 209 yards and five touchdowns in his team’s 44-17 win over Ligonier Valley.
Jake Pugh, QB, Thomas Jefferson — Pugh threw five touchdowns in his team’s 52-0 win over West Mifflin.
Carson Engleka, QB, Gateway — Engleka was 9 of 17 passing for 297 yards and five touchdowns in a 41-7 win over Franklin Regional.
Chamor Price, WR, Gateway — Price caught five passes for 200 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-7 win over Franklin Regional.
Jack Krug, QB, Brookville — Krug was 27 of 41 passing for 383 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-28 win over DuBois.
Cal German, QB, Central Clarion — German completed 13 of 20 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-6 win over Punxsutawney.
Ethan Burford, WR, Central Clarion — Burford caught five passes for 193 yards and three scores in a 42-6 win over Punxsutawney.
Reis Watkins, QB, Shenango — Watkins played running back and quarterback and ran for 212 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries and also completed four passes for 36 yards and another score in a 25-12 win over Union.
Amari Mack, WR, Greensburg Central Catholic — Mack had 321 all-purpose yards, returning two kicks for touchdowns and hauling in a receiving touchdown in a 55-37 loss to Leechburg. He also had four tackles — one for loss — a pass breakup and a fumble recovery.
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