Pennsylvania’s high school football players turned in another big weekend on the gridiron, but who was the best of the best?
That’s the question our All-PA team of the week attempts to answer.
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PennLive will highlight the top performers in Pa. each week with our All-PA team of the week. Coaches, players and fans can nominate players — especially the big fellas up front — on Twitter at @SportsByBlinder.
Check out this week’s All-PA defensive squad for games played on Sept. 10-11 below:
Justin Cook, DB, Harrisburg — Cook continues to be one of the top defensive surprises in the Mid-Penn, and he put together a solid game against Manheim Township and Penn State commit Anthony Ivey in a 20-17 win. Cook returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score and recorded four tackles, an interception and a pass defensed.
Tanner Maddocks, DB, Fleetwood — Maddocks put together one heckuva line in a 41-0 win over Upper Perkiomen. He’s committed to Villanova to play quarterback, and he accounted for 172 yards — 103 passing, 69 rushing — and that’s pretty good. But he also intercepted three passes, returning two for touchdowns, and kicked five extra points.
Jayvin Thompson, S, Central Valley — Thompson intercepted four passes, had four passes defensed and seven tackles in a 21-12 win over Aliquippa.
Jashon Spencer, DB, West Allegheny — Spencer returned an interception 23 yards for a score, and a fumble 40 yards for another touchdown in a 38-13 win over Montour.
Johnny Pergine, LB, Archbishop Wood — Pergine had 14 tackles, four for loss, two blocks punts, a safety and two interceptions in a half in his team’s 46-0 win over Cheltenham.
JR Strauss, LB, Exeter Township — Strauss was in on nine tackles, one for loss, with a sack and three catches for 16 yards in a 42-14 win over Wilson.
Bret FitzSimmons, LB, Central Valley — FitzSimmons was in on 11 tackles with two sacks in a 21-12 win over Aliquippa.
Tyler Yocum, LB, Exeter Township — Yocum was in on seven tackles, one for loss, had an interception and ran for 46 yards and a touchdown on six carries in a 42-14 win over Wilson.
Terrell Reynolds, DL, Harrisburg — Reynolds was in on nine tackles, five for loss, with three sacks in his team’s 20-17 win over Manheim Township.
Darold Dengohe, DL, La Salle College — La Salle scored a physical, 13-8, win over Imhotep and Dengohe was literally at the heart of the effort. The guy has been a revelation on the interior this season, and he collected a sack against the Panthers while consistently showing up as a disruptor on the interior in this one.
Jackson Tonya, DL, Central Valley — Tonya was in on 12 tackles with a sack in his team’s 21-12 win over Aliquippa.
Elijah Goods, ATH, Souderton — Goods had a big day in a 49-16 win over Souderton. He returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown, a punt 46 yards for another score, and also had a 3-yard touchdown run. Because of his versatility, he makes this week’s defensive squad as an “athlete.”
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