Landan Stevenson had a terrific career as a running back at Mapletown High School, and he topped it off by being selected to the all-state team.
The Pennsylvania Football Writers All-State Team for Class 1A was released Thursday and Stevenson was one of five running backs picked. Stevenson, a senior, finished his career with 5,993 rushing yards, ninth-best in WPIAL history. He also scored 102 touchdowns, fifth-best in league history.
Stevenson had a memorable senior season as he rushed for 2,342 yards on 224 carries and set a WPIAL regular-season scoring record with 285 points. He led Mapletown to a perfect record in the regular season for the first time since 1968. Stevenson, who is being recruited by small colleges, also made the Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 and was the P-G’s WPIAL Class 1A Player of the Year.
Stevenson was one of six WPIAL players selected to the Class 1A all-state team. Two players made it at quarterback - Union’s Braylon Thomas and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart’s Nehemiah Azeem. Thomas passed for 1,202 yards and rushed for 1,466 in leading Union to a WPIAL title. The Scotties made it to the PIAA championship game before losing to Steelton-Highspire. Steel-High quarterback Alex Erby was selected the Pennsylvania Class 1A Player of the Year and his father, Andrew Erby, who is Steel-High’s coach, was selected as coach of the year.
Bishop Canevin, who lost in the WPIAL Class 1A title game to Union, had two all-state players - receiver Xavier Nelson and defensive back Jason Cross.
The other WPIAL player to make all-state was Clairton offensive lineman Tyreese Washington-Law.
The Class 2A and 3A all-state teams will be released later Thursday. The CLass 4A, 5A and 6A team will be released Friday.
Here is the complete Class 1A team:
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK
Alex Erby, Steel-High – 6-4, 205, junior
Braylon Thomas, Union Area – 6-2, 180 junior
Dan McGarry, Curwensville – 5-10, 175 senior
Nehemiah Azeem, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart – 5-9, 175 senior
RUNNING BACK
Jalen Wagner, Reynolds – 6-1, 190 senior
John Shuster, Windber – 5-11, 190 senior
Landan Stevenson, Mapletown – 5-10, 180 senior
Riley Parker, Canton – 6-0, 190 senior
Ronald Burnette, Steel-High – 5-10, 180 junior
WIDE RECEIVER
Ross Eyer, Muncy – 6-4, 185 senior
Xavier Nelson, Bishop Canevin – 5-8, 160 senior
Haydin McLaughlin, Reynolds – 6-0, 190 senior
TIGHT END
Austyn Smyth, Northern Lehigh – 6-3, 200 senior
OFFENSIVE LINE
Andrew Erby Jr., Steel-High – 6-4, 275 junior
Mason Nelson, Canton – 6-2, 290 senior
Jackson VanNorman, Northern Lehigh – 6-1, 250 junior
Nate Leksell, Reynolds – 6-0, 255 senior
David Sanchez, Mahanoy Area – 6-1, 290 senior
Tyreese Washington-Law, Clairton – 5-10, 240 senior
ATHLETE
Branson Eyer, Muncy – 6-1, 175 senior
Nick Frame, Northern Lehigh – 6-2, 180 senior
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
AJ Jimenez, Northern Lehigh – 6-1, 215 senior
Eugene Green, Steel-High – 6-2, 215 junior
Britton Spangle, Glendale – 5-10, 215 senior
Jesse Rodino, Marian Catholic – 6-3, 210 junior
Jacob Scheib, Tri-Valley – 5-11, 210 senior
LINEBACKER
Hayden Ward, Canton – 5-11, 165 senior
Jason Shuda, Muncy – 6-1, 220 senior
Ben Manley, Mahanoy Area – 6-2, 225 senior
Cody Dumm, Northern Cambria – 5-9, 180 senior
Ethan Karpowich, Northern Lehigh – 6-1, 225 senior
Reece Huntzinger, Tri-Valley – 5-10, 170 senior
DEFENSIVE BACK
Brock Polinsky, Minersville – 5-11, 165 senior
Colm McGroarty, Mahanoy Area – 5-9, 155 junior
Tanner Trybus, Cambria Heights – 5-11, 170 senior
Jason Cross, Bishop Canevin – 6-0, 165 junior
Jaeion Perry, Steel-High – 6-1, 175 junior
SPECIALIST
Bailey Ferguson, Canton – 6-0, 170 senior
ATHLETE
Weston Bellows, Canton – 5-10, 190 senior
Mitchell Tingley, Lakeview – 5-7, 185 junior
Tyler Biggans, West Branch – 5-10, 200 junior
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Alex Erby, Steel-High
COACH OF THE YEAR: Andrew Erby, Steel-High
Mike White: mwhite@post-gazette.com and Twitter @mwhiteburgh
First Published: December 29, 2022, 3:00 p.m.