Pugh, Whitlock among best in state
By Jose Negron
jnegron@yourmvi.com
Fresh off leading Thomas Jefferson to WPIAL and PIAA championships for the second consecutive year, three Jaguar players were among the six local standouts named to the all-state team in Class 4A Wednesday.
Quarterback Jake Pugh was joined by wide receivers Preston Zandier and Ian Hansen. Also honored were Belle Vernon Area quarterback Devin Whitlock and linebacker Cole Weightman in addition to McKeesport offensive lineman Colin Lyons.
Pugh, a 5-10, 165-pound senior, made his presence felt in a big way as he started under center for the first time after serving as the backup for three seasons. In his final high school campaign, he threw for 1,881 yards and 25 touchdowns, while completing just under 60 percent of his passes.
Zandier, a Youngstown State recruit, finished the season as Thomas Jefferson’s leader in receptions with 47. He compiled 718 yards and scored a team-high 11 touchdowns.
Despite missing a few games to injury, Hansen brought in 42 receptions and led TJ with 785 receiving yards. While he averaged over 87 yards per game, he also found the end zone seven times.
Due to his ability to impact a game in more ways than one, Whitlock was selected as an athlete on the all-state team.
At quarterback, he threw for over 500 yards and led the Leopards in rushing with 1,082 yards and 15 touchdowns. He finished the season with seven 100-yard rushing games.
Whitlock was just as important on the defensive side of the ball as he collected five interceptions and returned three for touchdowns. Additionally, he had a pair of punt returns for a score.
Weightman was also a defensive menace for a Belle Vernon Area team that advanced to the WPIAL semifinals.
The junior, who has quickly become one of the top linebacker recruits in the state, led the Leopards with 129 total tackles and 29 tackles for loss.
On Wednesday, Whitlock was named Mon Valley Independent-BeeGraphix Co-Offensive Player of the Year, sharing the honor with Clairton running back Dontae Sanders. Weightman was named the defensive player of the year.
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