8 Standout Western Pa Players

Back again to highlight more impressive prospects from the western side of the state. With the postseason approaching, I want to showcase a few standout performers thus far. These eight athletes have not only led their respective teams but have also been exceptional producers in 2024. Among them are several players with over 1,000 yards, a couple of two-way standouts, and wide receivers with elite ball skills. Let's not waste any more time and dive into analyzing these top-producing prospects.      <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/juliusreed9_/status/1834982554291622089?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='914812' first='Julius' last='Reed'] has had an outstanding season so far, accounting for 7 TDs in Week 4. The sophomore dual-threat prospect played a key role in helping Greater Johnstown snap a 43-game losing streak against conference opponent Central Cambria. Reed completed 18 of 26 passes for 222 yards and 5 TDs, while also rushing for over 100 yards, finishing with 28 carries for 133 yards and 2 TDs. A true two-way prospect, Reed has been impressive since his freshman year, showcasing his top-tier abilities. He's poised, confident, athletic, and a strong leader under center. Julius, along with junior WR Zymir Reed, are the sons of former Pitt standout and current Greater Johnstown head coach Antwan Reed. In total, Julius has passed for 1,625 yards and 18 TDs in 2024, with a passer rating of 88.4. He also leads the team in rushing with 553 yards and 6 TDs this season.      [player_tooltip player_id='671915' first='Arnold' last='Mugerwa'] has been on fire this season for the Richland Rams. The standout sophomore recently received his first Power 4 offer from Virginia Tech, and it's easy to see why. As a possession receiver with size, speed, and excellent ball skills, he's also a significant deep threat. Standing at 6'3, Mugerwa is averaging an impressive 25.8 yards per catch. It's likely that more FBS offers are on the way for this talented prospect. The standout sophomore has amassed 1,085 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. I'm eager to see what kind of production Mugerwa will deliver in the postseason.    Moore has emerged as one of the most impressive backs in Western PA in 2024. He's a physical runner with the ability to score from anywhere on the field. His film highlights his knack for breaking tackles while also making defenders miss. JaVaughn runs with patience and has an explosive burst when he finds an opening. Like the other prospects mentioned, he's proven to be dynamic with the ball in his hands. Moore's speed has been evident on multiple long, tough touchdown runs this season. He has rushed for over 1,300 yards and an impressive 18 touchdowns.    Zymir Reed is another legit two-way prospect who has already gained attention on this platform. Standing over 6 feet tall, he demonstrates excellent body control as a receiver. Recently, he was featured on ESPN's “You Got Mossed” for an impressive jump-ball touchdown. Zymir is a proven playmaker who shines when given opportunities. Currently ranked as one of the top wide receivers in District 6, he is also the older brother of quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='914812' first='Julius' last='Reed']. In 2024, Zymir has recorded 50 receptions for 852 yards and 9 touchdowns. He's unquestionably a college-level prospect, with a skill set that should catch the attention of scholarship programs. Reed excels in short-area quickness, route running, toughness, and making plays on 50/50 balls. Despite being unoffered, he still has another season to further showcase his talents after 2024.    [player_tooltip player_id='1555911' first='Kyle' last='Dupill'], a senior running back for Franklin Regional, has been highly productive in 2024, making his success look effortless. He runs with patience and has been a key offensive weapon, showcasing breakaway speed and sharp vision to set up blocks effectively. Kyle is equally dangerous running inside or outside the tackles, maintaining a low center of gravity while rushing with balance and strength. He's a tough, elusive runner who also excels in pass protection. So far, Dupill has rushed for 1,374 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. His standout performance came in a big victory against Gateway, where he rushed for 211 yards and added 2 touchdowns.    [player_tooltip player_id='388158' first='TyVaughn' last='Kershaw'], a running back frequently discussed on this platform, is a compact, powerful runner who consistently falls forward on contact. He's a dynamic playmaker with the ability to score from virtually anywhere on the field. Kershaw has been highly productive this season, averaging 12 yards per carry with 17 touchdowns. Monessen's 2026 tailback has amassed nearly 1,300 rushing yards on just 104 attempts. With his potential, I'm excited to see the collegiate opportunities that await him. Although he's appeared on a few D1 and D2 recruiting boards, he has yet to receive an offer.    Cain is another playmaker who has showcased big-league ability this season for Beaver. Standing at 6'1 and 190 lbs, he has the size to play at the next level. Qualan demonstrates tremendous balance and cutting ability on inside runs and has the burst to beat defenders on outside zone and quick-pitch plays. As a senior, Cain hasn't peaked yet and will continue to improve beyond Beaver. I believe Qualan is a next-level back who will exceed 200 lbs with continued quickness as his high school career concludes. He also has all the qualities to be a key special teams contributor in college. So far in 2024, Cain has scored 16 touchdowns and rushed for over 1,000 yards.    Floyd has been the MVP for Leechburg this season. A dual-threat weapon at QB, he competes hard on every play and ranks among the top scorers in Western PA. On defense, Jayden has demonstrated the ability to make plays in coverage at both OLB and safety. He's a reliable tackler with excellent route recognition, showcasing his ball skills with an interception on tape this season. Floyd executes the zone read well and is as dangerous as a running back on designed QB keepers. He recently surpassed 1,000 rushing yards and has scored 22 rushing touchdowns in 2024. The senior two-way athlete has also passed for 851 yards and 7 TDs this year. Floyd is a leader and a crucial piece to Leechburg's success on both sides of the football. He's been receiving recruiting interest from both D1 and D2 programs so far.

Back again to highlight more impressive prospects from the western side of the state. With the postseason approaching, I want to showcase a few standout performers thus far. These eight athletes have not only led their respective teams but have also been exceptional producers in 2024. Among them are several players with over 1,000 yards, a couple of two-way standouts, and wide receivers with elite ball skills. Let's not waste any more time and dive into analyzing these top-producing prospects.