Pryor belongs on list of state's best players
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
BY ROD FRISCO
So, let's ask it: Is Terrelle Pryor the best high school football player you've ever seen in this state?
Careful now. Read the question again.
We did not ask if Pryor, Jeannette's all-state and soon to be All-America quarterback, was the best high school player ever in Pennsylvania. We're asking if he's the best you've ever seen. (And we'll feel sorry for you if you missed him either of the last two seasons.)
There's a reason for that distinction. We haven't seen all of the state's best players as schoolboys over the years, so we can't tell you who is No. 1. We can't even define the criteria.
Would he have to be a two-way player (like Pryor)? Would he have to compile stratospheric stats (like Pryor)? Would he have to be a great college player (like Pryor might well be)? An NFL star (ditto)? We'll leave that up to the debaters.
Thanks to the state playoffs, which began in 1988, we've been fortunate to see some exceptional high school stars: Berwick quarterback Ron Powlus, Hickory receiver and kick returner Andre Coleman, Cumberland Valley fullback Jon Ritchie, North Hills linebacker LaVar Arrington, McKeesport linebacker Brandon Short, Downingtown running back Aaron Harris, Central Bucks West linebacker Dave Armstrong, Perry quarterback Rod Rutherford, Aliquippa everything Darrell Revis, Parkland tailback Austin Scott, Woodland Hills return man Steve Breaston (a QB when he played for Woody High), Strath Haven linebacker Dan Connor and Hopewell linebacker (and tailback, then) Paul Posluszny.
Good heavens, what a list. And that roster is abbreviated. Given that we're talking about the players when we saw them in high school, the list could fill up this page.
Of course, we just listed players who played in state championship games. What about that massive pool of players who never got there (like Bishop McDevitt's LeSean McCoy) or never had state playoffs at all (like Bishop McDevitt's Ricky Watters)?
Let's stick with the basics. Is Pryor the best Pennsylvania scholastic player we've ever seen?
Athletically, the answer is a qualified yes.
cont'd...