PA Class Rankings, Mid-Season Standouts, Class 2A Part One
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Class 2A 1. Farrell (5-1) Mid-Season Standout L.J. Samuels PA #216 DB #23 HEIGHT 5'9" WEIGHT 150 POS DB CLASS 2023 View Profile L.J. Samuels State: Pennsylvania School: Farrell Farrell is looking like the team to beat in Class AA.…
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Continue ReadingClass 2A
1. Farrell (5-1)
Mid-Season Standout
Farrell is looking like the team to beat in Class AA. Not necessarily a surprising statement considering the level of talent they deploy each week. You can talk about Kabron Smith Kabron Smith 5’9″ | 170 lbs | QB Farrell | 2024 State PA , or Kylon Wilson Kylon Wilson 5’10” | 170 lbs | ATH Farrell | 2023 State PA , I prefer to shed some light on the often-forgotten man who is having one hell of a season thus far. That’s former camp standout, LJ Samuels. Coming off a 200-yard receiving night, Samuels is proving his worth at every phase of the game, as well as almost any alignment. Can Samuels act as a deep threat to stretch the field? Yes. Can Samuels hurt a defense at all three levels? Can Samuels provide real DB reps? Can he kick field goals? The answer to all of these questions is yes. Samuels is looking a gear faster, comfortable in the open field, and confident that he can burn DBs with his speed. Love what I’m seeing.
2. Mount Carmel (6-0)
Mid-Season Standout
Garrett Varano Garrett Varano 5’10” | 165 lbs | ATH Mt. Carmel Area | 2023 State PA , much like LJ Samuels, deserves a huge bump in rank. Mount Carmel is loaded to the brim with talent, you can pick a ton of kids to spotlight here, yet you can’t devalue the multi-faceted game Varano brings to the table. Varano, who has caught 16 balls and has returned punts and kicks, has accumulated 460 all-purpose yards and scored six times halfway through the season. He’s providing solid DB reps too, registering 14 total tackles in his latest game played after his mid-season tape. His stock is up.
3. Richland Township (6-0)
Mid-Season Standout
Keeping with the theme of the piece, representing undefeated Richland Township is receiver turned QB/DB Sam Penna Sam Penna 5’8″ | 160 lbs | ATH Richland | 2023 State PA . I’m intrigued to see just how far up collegiate recruiting boards Sam Penna Sam Penna 5’8″ | 160 lbs | ATH Richland | 2023 State PA is. You can speak about his size not being ideal, yet you can’t deny this kid’s natural athleticism. One of the smarter, more aware prospects on the field, Penna has stepped up to act as the program’s man behind center. He’s done an incredible job tossing the football, while still contributing quality reps at DB, both in pass and run defense. He’s a stout return man if he wants to be. The Richland coaching staff has to enjoy deploying Grayden Lewis Grayden Lewis 5’11” | 175 lbs | DB Richland | 2023 State PA and Evan McCracken Evan McCracken 5’8″ | 195 lbs | ATH Richland | 2024 State PA with Penna behind center. Fun team to watch.
Highlights
4. Lakeland (6-0)
Mid-Season Standout
What a start for Lakeland HS, led by quarterback Dominic Spataro, who has had one of the more underrated seasons in his district.
900+ yards passing, for 17 scores and a 61% completion percentage. Tack on another 400+ yards on the ground, and an additional five scores to boot. Safe to say Spataro has Lakeland heading in the right direction. Interested to see just how far he can take this offense.
5. Sharpsville (6-0)
Mid-Season Standout
Love what Blaze Campbell Blaze Campbell 5’10” | 180 lbs | ATH Kennedy Catholic | 2023 State PA has brought to the table at Sharpsville. Campbell’s going to provide some big-play ability at wideout, he’s got hands and can stretch the field. Watching his tape, you can’t help but like Campbell more at OLB. Setting the edge, blitzing through the A-B gaps or around the edge, Campbell boasts a natural feel in open space. He’s a tone-setter too, he’ll leave his mark on the quarterback if you allow him to.