Williams Valley's Brady Shomper (7) carries the ball as they take on Riverside during the PIAA 2A state football playoffs on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Berwick's Crispin Field. (Photo by Fred James)

Brady Shomper and Kian Krzyzanowski put together record-breaking seasons to help Williams Valley win a second straight District 11 Class AA football championship and reach the PIAA Class AA state quarterfinals.

Saturday, they helped extend another record-like streak.

Shomper, Krzyzanowski, senior lineman Jesse Koons and senior linebacker Skylor Green were among seven local players selected Saturday to the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class AA All-State Team.

It marks the ninth straight season that Williams Valley has at least one player named to the PFW All-State Team. From 2016-24, the Vikings have had 24 players earn All-State honors.

The four Vikings are joined by Minersville quarterback Dante Carr, Schuylkill Haven running back Niko Carestia and Haven defensive back Leyden Hertz on the 42-player Class AA All-State Team, which was chosen through nominations and voting done by sports writers from various forms of media across the state, including T102SportsNow.com.

Those seven players join Nativity’s Noah Dolbin (Class A), Marian’s Michael Gelatko (Class A) and North Schuylkill’s Gavin Mentzer, Aiden Zilker and Luke Miller (Class 3A) as All-State picks. The Class A, 3A and 5A teams were released Friday, with the Class 4A and 6A teams being released later Saturday.

Shomper, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound junior, became the first quarterback in school history to rush for more than 1,000 yards and pass for more than 2,000 yards in same season. He rushed 185 times for 1,124 yards and 18 touchdowns while completing 122-of-211 passes for an area-best 2,413 yards and 35 touchdowns. Shomper broke the Williams Valley single-season records for passing TDs and passing yards.

Krzyzanowski, a 5-11, 155-pound senior, was his main target, breaking the Williams Valley single-season receiving marks for catches, yards and touchdowns by hauling in 67 passes for an area-high 1,260 yards and a District 11-best 17 touchdowns. Krzyzanowski also had four interceptions from his defensive back spot. He scored 23 total touchdowns — three rushing, 17 receiving, one interception return and two kickoff returns.

Koons, a 6-1, 215-pound guard, was the senior anchor of Williams Valley’s talented offensive line as the four-year starter helped clear the way for two 1,000-yard rushers and an offense that averaged 231.9 yards rushing and 405.6 total yards per game.

The 6-foot, 180-pound Green was the leader of Williams Valley’s stout defense from his middle linebacker spot, compiling a team-high 141 tackles and 12 tackles for loss in 14 games. He had a streak of eight straight games with double-digit tackles during season and was a major reason the Vikings led the area in scoring defense by allowing just 14.9 points per game.

Carr, a 6-4, 220-pound junior dual-threat QB, also ran and threw for more than 1,000 yards. He rushed 90 times for 1,182 yards (13.1 average) and 23 touchdowns while completing 98-of-180 passes for 1,757 yards and 22 touchdowns with eight interceptions.

The Miners finished 7-4, falling to Executive Education in the District 11 Class AA semifinals.

“Dante is one of the most dangerous weapons in the state,” Minersville coach Justin Frantz said. “He can do so much with his arm and legs that it gives defenses fits trying to decide which one they want to attempt to slow down. He has made incredible plays look routine with his athleticism.

“He’s as fun to watch as he is to coach.”

Carestia, a 5-10, 200-pound junior, led the Schuylkill County area and District 11 in rushing with 2,702 yards and 38 rushing touchdowns on 239 carries. The explosive, bulldog-like fullback averaged 207.8 yards per game and 11.3 yards per carry as Schuylkill Haven went 11-2 and reached the District 11 Class AA championship game before falling to Williams Valley.

Carestia led the area in scoring with 286 points, scoring 40 total touchdowns and 23 two-point conversions. He rushed for more than 200 yards eight times, with season high of 333.

Also a standout middle linebacker, he recorded 127 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and one pick-6 interception on defense. Carestia was the Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association Small School Offensive Player of the Year and SCFCA Small School Defensive Player of the Year.

“Carestia had a great year. He did his thing on both sides,” Schuylkill Haven coach Mike Farr said. “It’s not easy to rush for 2,700 yards and have 127 tackles and not come off the field except for extra points. We have a bunch of guys like that.

“He’ll tell you it’s because of his linemen and how tough they are and how good they are, but he had a great year.”

Hertz, a 6-2, 180-pound senior headed to East Stroudsburg University, led the Schuylkill County area in interceptions with seven, four of which he returned for touchdowns. He had nine pass break-ups, three caused fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Hertz also shined at wide receiver and as a kick/punt returner. Scored 12 total touchdowns — one rushing, three receiving, one fumble return, four interception returns, one punt return, two kickoff returns.

“Leyden Hertz had an impressive season on both sides of the ball,” Farr said. “He scored in various ways, he had the most pick-6s in our school history. He scored at multiple levels and in multiple ways.”

Standout quarterback Jase Ferguson of PIAA Class AA runner-up Central Clarion was named the Player of the Year, while Troy’s Jimmy Smith was chosen as the Coach of the Year.

Here’s a look at the 2024 Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class AA All-State Team:

2024 CLASS AA ALL-STATE TEAM

Player of the Year: Jase Ferguson, Central Clarion

Coach of the Year: Jimmy Smith, Troy

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Jase Ferguson, Central Clarion – 6-0, 200 senior

Evan Woodward, Troy – 6-1, 175 senior

Brady Shomper, Williams Valley – 5-11, 180 junior

Dante Carr, Minersville – 6-4, 220 junior

Running Back

Brandon Way, Lancaster Catholic – 5-10, 175 junior

Donald Barksdale, Steel Valley – 5-10, 185 senior

Niko Carestia, Schuylkill Haven – 5-10, 200 junior

Vinny Feliciano, Mercyhurst Prep – 5-9, 170 sophomore

Juelz Johnson, Farrell – 5-10, 170 junior

Eric Doerue, South Park – 6-1, 200 senior

Wide Receiver

Kian Krzyanowski, Williams Valley – 5-11, 155 senior

Mason Burford, Central Clarion – 6-2, 175 junior

Sam Hall, Warrior Run – 5-9, 175 senior

Ethan Rex, Central Clarion – 5-10, 180 sophomore

Luke Kreger, North Penn-Mansfield – 6-2, 170 junior

Tight End

Richie Kostoff, Riverside – 6-2, 235 senior

Offensive Line

Jimmy Kerr, Central Clarion – 6-4, 310 senior

Micah Pesesky, Troy – 6-3, 255 sophomore

Parker Cunningham, South Park – 6-4, 290 senior

Avery Sens, Troy – 5-10, 265 senior

Jesse Koons, Williams Valley – 6-1, 215 senior

Athlete

Chase Taddonio, Riverside – 5-11, 195 senior

Quincy Swaim, Bedford – 5-10, 180 senior

Riley Vanderpool, Towanda – 5-9, 165 senior

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

Tavion Branch, Riverside – 6-4, 290 junior

Eason Teribury, Troy – 6-5, 265 senior

Matt Alston, Central Clarion – 5-10, 200 senior

Garrett Jasper, Cambria Heights – 6-2, 240 senior

Reed Palmer, Troy – 6-4, 250 sophomore

Alex Long, Camp Hill – 6-3, 210 senior

Linebacker

Dominic Fetterolf, Southern Columbia – 6-1, 220 senior

Jack Burbage, Troy – 6-2, 200 senior

Charlie Hepfl, Central Clarion – 6-0, 178 junior

Skylor Green, Williams Valley – 6-0, 180 senior

Chris Ulmer, Lansdale Catholic – 6-3, 225 senior

Defensive Back

Lincoln Chimics, Troy – 6-3, 175 senior

Julius Phillips, Farrell – 6-2, 185 senior

Noah Doi, Camp Hill – 5-9, 140 senior

Leyden Hertz, Schuylkill Haven – 6-2, 180 senior

Athlete

Brendan Gilliland, Troy – 6-0, 210 junior

Eli Butler, Warrior Run – 5-10, 180 senior

Specialist

Thomas Uckert, Central Clarion – 5-9, 157 senior