6 more Western PA Standouts after Two Weeks of Play

<p>Here's another roundup of standout performers from the first two weeks of gameplay. To be honest, there are simply too many prospects who have started the 2024 season strong to name in just one article. Some well-known players in this piece include [player_tooltip player_id='209027' first='Brock' last='Cornell'], [player_tooltip player_id='920505' first='Stephen' last='Vandiver'], and [player_tooltip player_id='205571' first='Robert' last='Torres Johnson']. Meanwhile, lesser-discussed prospects like [player_tooltip player_id='810380' first='Joe' last='Felitsky'], Drew Cook, and Ryan Cortes have also made an impact. All of these athletes have kicked off the year with impressive stats and performances for their respective teams. Now, let's dive into the six standouts highlighted in this article.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/drewcook357/status/1829985935829749909?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   <p>Drew is a dangerous playmaking wide receiver for South Allegheny, showcasing impressive ball skills by adjusting to passes and consistently making grabs at the highest point. He's a downfield threat who puts immediate pressure on the safety when lined up in the slot. Elusive in the open field, Drew can turn a short pass into a big gain. Averaging 19.6 yards per catch, he ranks among the top receivers in western Pennsylvania. Currently tied for second in the WPIAL with 16 receptions, 316 yards, and 2 TDs, it will be exciting to watch Drew and the rest of South Allegheny's playmakers throughout 2025.</p>    <p>[player_tooltip player_id='209027' first='Brock' last='Cornell']'s 4.4 speed has been on full display this season in a variety of ways. The Bucknell commit from West Allegheny is utilized on jet sweeps, inside runs, and even as a wildcat quarterback. His breakaway speed makes him a scoring threat from anywhere on the field. I was particularly impressed with his tackling ability and effort, especially during a game against Chartiers Valley, where he made a touchdown-saving tackle that showcased his athleticism. Cornell was also crucial in preventing CV from scoring on that drive. He has demonstrated the ability to run the alley, contest passes, and effectively recognize routes in coverage. It's no surprise that Cornell is ranked as the 13th-best defensive back on Prep Redzone and held offers from Albany, Duquesne, RMU, Brown, and Lehigh.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/stephenvupnxt5/status/1830002759585972331?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='920505' first='Stephen' last='Vandiver'] possesses a wealth of talent and has been doing an excellent job showcasing his QB skills. His arm strength is evident, delivering throws with impressive velocity and zip. He's also shown great accuracy on deep passes. Vandiver's athleticism stands out, as he exhibits running back-like ability when the ball is in his hands. His ball placement and efficiency have made him a standout in Western Pennsylvania. On defense, Vandiver has next-level skills at defensive back, including an impressive pass breakup at safety in Week 0. So far, he is 17/24 for 364 yards and 4 TDs with no interceptions, boasting a 71% completion rate. Vandiver holds FBS offers from Miami Ohio, Bowling Green, and Troy.</p>    <p>Ryan Cortes is a quarterback who plays with a lot of confidence. He demonstrates solid footwork in the pocket and executes play action with precision. With a quick release and proper ball security, Cortes efficiently makes the right reads and distributes the ball evenly to his receivers. His accuracy is impressive, showing good ball placement and knowing when to add touch to his throws. Cortes has proven his ability to complete passes at all three levels. While not a dual-threat quarterback, he has enough athleticism to tuck the ball and run when needed. So far, he has thrown for 543 yards, 4 touchdowns, and just 1 interception. His efficiency is among the highest in the WPIAL, completing 34 of 47 passes for a 73% completion rate.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/robbtjohnsonjr/status/1830675622630232169?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   <p>Robert Torres has been making a name for himself since the summer and has established himself as one of Imani Christian's top deep threats. The speedy slot receiver is a playmaker who excels at making contested catches in high-traffic areas. Torres possesses exceptional lateral quickness and is elusive with the ball in his hands. On defense, he showcases his competitive nature, demonstrating patience in man-to-man coverage and a willingness to tackle. While Torres has garnered interest from multiple scholarship-level programs, he has yet to receive an offer.</p>    <p>Joey Felitsky is a serious competitor who isn't afraid to sling the ball. A high-volume passer, he improves with each rep. Felitsky excels at play action and keeps his eyes downfield under pressure, placing the football where only his receiver can catch it. He has a strong arm and consistently completes intermediate and deep throws. His ability to maneuver around pressure while reading the defense is impressive, and he's skilled at extending plays outside the pocket. Currently, Felitsky leads the WPIAL in passing yardage with 557 yards.</p>

Here's another roundup of standout performers from the first two weeks of gameplay. To be honest, there are simply too many prospects who have started the 2024 season strong to name in just one article. Some well-known players in this piece include Brock Cornell Brock Cornell 5'11" | 185 lbs | DB West Allegheny | 2025 State PA , Stephen Vandiver Stephen Vandiver 6'2" | 170 lbs | ATH Imani Christian Academy | 2025 State PA , and Robert Torres Johnson Robert Torres Johnson 5'7" | 145 lbs | ATH Imani Christian Academy | 2026 State PA . Meanwhile, lesser-discussed prospects like Joe Felitsky Joe Felitsky 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB North Catholic | 2026 State PA , Drew Cook, and Ryan Cortes have also made an impact. All of these athletes have kicked off the year with impressive stats and performances for their respective teams. Now, let's dive into the six standouts highlighted in this article.