All State Team: Class A of Section VI (4th, 5th & 6th Team)
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With the New York Football All State teams being released, I have been reviewing each class from Section VI. Today, I will review the All State student-athletes that made the 4th, 5th & 6th Team from the Class A Division.…
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Continue ReadingWith the New York Football All State teams being released, I have been reviewing each class from Section VI. Today, I will review the All State student-athletes that made the 4th, 5th & 6th Team from the Class A Division.
Clarence Quarterback Bryce Tubin Bryce Tubin 6’2″ | 215 lbs | QB Clarence | 2025 NY , as well as being named 4th team QB in all of New York State, was awarded the All WNY Offensive Player of the Year. Tubin led Section VI in Completions (167), Attempts (263), Passing Yards (2,464) and came 2nd in Passing Touchdowns (23). He is not just a pocket passer, he is very athletic as he added 287 rushing yards and 3 rushing TDs. Tubin has great arm strength. His accuracy is amazing but his ability to continually look downfield and find the open receiver while facing pressure from the Defense is extraordinary. Clarence won the Class A Championship in Section VI in 2023. I haven’t heard of any direct collegiate offers for Bryce. But if he repeats his Junior year performance, Tubin will be on the Division I radar.
A 2023 4th team All State selection at Running Back, Joseph Richardson Joseph Richardson 5’9″ | 185 lbs | RB Starpoint | 2025 State NY has been a staple for Starpoint’s success the last two seasons; rushing for 1,156 yards and 16 touchdowns. He is great at finding the open holes. He follows his blockers with supreme patience and his excellent balance mixed with his great cut step makes him tough to bring down. On the defensive side of the ball, Joseph is listed as a Linebacker but he possesses the versatility to play Safety. An excellent blitzer, Richardson has fluid hips and a nose for the ball, racking up 31 tackles (7 for loss) and 2 interceptions (1 for a touchdown) as a Junior. The book is still out on what his future holds, but Richardson’s senior year will be one to watch out for.
Highlights
A converted Tight End, Jake Mattoon Jake Mattoon LB Clarence | 2024 NY played Offensive Line for the first time as a Senior and he earned himself All State honors in the process. Although that’s where he is getting his recognition from New York State Football, Mattoon is a defensive player first. As a Linebacker, he is tenacious, aggressive, has exceptional closing speed with good tackling form. He had a great senior season piling up 128 tackles (9 for loss) and 7 sacks. Jake Mattoon Jake Mattoon LB Clarence | 2024 NY is a two sport athlete that is currently uncommitted. I expect that to change in the upcoming weeks.
Rocco Panepinto Rocco Panepinto 6’4″ | 185 lbs | QB Sweet Home | 2025 State NY is one of the most consistent high school prospects in Western New York. Rocco has thrown a touchdown in 16 of the 18 games he has played in his two years at Sweet Home. A big physical player, Panepinto has a quick release and is mobile when the play calls for it. Rocco Panepinto Rocco Panepinto 6’4″ | 185 lbs | QB Sweet Home | 2025 State NY improved from his Sophomore year when he led Sweet Home to a 2-7 record and a 71/148 – 1,259 yards – 12 TDs stat line in 2022 to 6-3 as a Junior and going 118/196 – 1,759 yards – 17 TDs and a playoff berth. Panepinto is poised for a monsterous Senior Season in 2024.
Highlights
Tray Thompson Tray Thompson 5’9″ | 185 lbs | ATH Lockport | 2025 State NY made 5th team All State honors as a Defensive back but also made the All WNY 2nd Team as a “Flex” player, proving he can be used in various capacities. As a Defensive Back, Thompson compiled 61 tackles, 5 interceptions, a fumble recovery and 2 defensive touchdowns in 2023. Tray has great vision and has amazing ability to the track the ball down while it’s in the air. Although he made the All State team as a Defensive Back, his contributions on offense should still be recognized. As a #2 option in the Lions offense, Thompson compiled 584 all purpose yards and 9 touchdowns. Lockport’s star Wideout, Shey Williams Shey Williams 5’11” | 175 lbs | ATH Lockport | 2024 State NY is graduating this year, leaving the door open for Tray Thompson Tray Thompson 5’9″ | 185 lbs | ATH Lockport | 2025 State NY to be the man. The All State team is sure to be in his future as a senior in 2024.
Highlights
Jefferson Long Jefferson Long ATH Clarence | 2025 State NY has a nose for the ball and attacks it at its highest point. His 58 tackles, 4 interceptions, and defensive touchdown garnered him New York football All State honors as a Safety. His Sophomore season in 2022 saw him contribute as a reserve defensive back as well with 26 tackles and an interception. As good of a Safety as he is, his major contributions came on offense. Mixed in as a Running Back and a Slot receiver, Jefferson has good hands, is a crisp route runner and has the ability to make acrobatic catches. In two years on Varsity, Long has compiled 1,381 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns. Jefferson Long Jefferson Long ATH Clarence | 2025 State NY should get the attention of collegiate scouts in his Senior Season.
David Van Horn
David Van Horn
David Van Horn had a breakout season in his junior year, rushing the ball 94 times for 740 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is a pure runner; tough, gritty, runs between the tackles with the speed to break off a long one. Van Horn has excellent vision, great balance and the ability to change direction at the drop of a dime. In 2023, the 1-2 punch of Van Horn and Jefferson Long Jefferson Long ATH Clarence | 2025 State NY , led Clarence to an 11-0 Section VI record and a Class A title. Both players will be seniors in 2024 and should continue their success.
A two way player for West Seneca West, Cameron Whittaker Cameron Whittaker 6’1″ | 265 lbs | DL West Seneca West | 2024 State NY started at Right Tackle and made the All State team as a Senior. He is a very good down blocker, has the ability to reach the second level, and consistently blocks to the whistle. He helped anchor an offensive line that ran for 1,690 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2023. As a Defensive Tackle, he is quick off the ball, able to swallow up running backs and his quick hands help him to shed blocks. He tallied 66 tackles (9 for loss) and 4.5 sacks for West Seneca West. Still uncommitted, Cameron Whittaker Cameron Whittaker 6’1″ | 265 lbs | DL West Seneca West | 2024 State NY will be attending Brockport in 2024.
Most High School Kickers & Punters, play other positions. But Griffey is a pure Special Teamer, an essential part to the game. Griffey led Section VI by going 5/5 on Field Goal attempts, with his longest being from 35 yards out. Brendan also added 27 Extra Points on the season. On Kickoffs, Brendan Griffey Brendan Griffey 5’9″ | 195 lbs | K West Seneca West | 2025 NY had 5 of his 41 attempts go for (60 yard) touchbacks. Many of his kickoffs were designed squib kicks, but at the college level, Griffey can be an asset as Colleges put more emphasis on Special Teams. As a Punter, he ranking 3rd in Section VI with 703 yards, with 3 landing inside the 20 yard line. Griffey made 1st team All Western New York as a Punter and 6th team All State as a Kicker. A dual threat, Brendan Griffey Brendan Griffey 5’9″ | 195 lbs | K West Seneca West | 2025 NY should get interests from colleges looking to improve their kicking game.