Steel Valley running back Donald Barksdale ran for more than 2,000 yards for the second consecutive season, and his effort put him on the Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 2A All-State Team for the second year in a row.

The all-state team was released Saturday and Barksdale was selected. Barksdale rushed for 2,239 yards and 32 touchdowns this season. He finished his career as the No. 19 rusher in WPIAL history with 559 carries for 5,267 yards and 86 touchdowns.

Barksdale was one of only three WPIAL players to make the Class 2A all-state team. The two others were from WPIAL champion South Park — offensive lineman Parker Cunningham and running back Eric Doerue. Cunningham is a James Madison recruit who excelled on offense and defense. Doerue rushed for 1,596 yards on 228 carries and had more than 4,000 yards for his career.

South Park running back Eric Doerue runs for yardage in the WPIAL Class 2A championship against Seton LaSalle at Acrisure Stadium. Doerue rushed for 1,596 yards this season and more than 4,000 in his career.(Justin Guido/For the Post-Gazette)

Here is the complete Pennsylvania Football Writers All-State Team:

Keith Barnes and Ken Wunderley

Athletes of the week: Shady Side Academy's Karis Thomas and Norwin's Landon Sidun

Player of the Year: Jase Ferguson, Central Clarion

Coach of the Year: Jimmy Smith, Troy

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Jase Ferguson, Central Clarion – 6-0, 200 senior

Evan Woodward, Troy – 6-1, 175 senior

Brady Shomper, Williams Valley – 5-11, 180 junior

Dante Carr, Minersville – 6-4, 220 junior

Keith Barnes

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Running Back

Brandon Way, Lancaster Catholic – 5-10, 175 junior

Donald Barksdale, Steel Valley – 5-10, 185 senior

Niko Carestia, Schuylkill Haven – 5-10, 200 junior

Vinny Feliciano, Mercyhurst Prep – 5-9, 170 sophomore

Juelz Johnson, Farrell – 5-10, 170 junior

Eric Doerue, South Park – 6-1, 200 senior

Wide Receiver

Kian Krzyanowski, Williams Valley – 5-11, 155 senior

Mason Burford, Central Clarion – 6-2, 175 junior

Sam Hall, Warrior Run – 5-9, 175 senior

Ethan Rex, Central Clarion – 5-10, 180 sophomore

Luke Kreger, North Penn-Mansfield – 6-2, 170 junior

Tight End

Richie Kostoff, Riverside – 6-2, 235 senior

Offensive Line

Jimmy Kerr, Central Clarion – 6-4, 310 senior

Micah Pesesky, Troy – 6-3, 255 sophomore

Parker Cunningham, South Park – 6-4, 290 senior

Avery Sens, Troy – 5-10, 265 senior

Jesse Koons, Williams Valley – 6-1, 215 senior

Athlete

Chase Taddonio, Riverside – 5-11, 195 senior

Quincy Swaim, Bedford – 5-10, 180 senior

Riley Vanderpool, Towanda – 5-9, 165 senior

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

Tavion Branch, Riverside – 6-4, 290 junior

Eason Teribury, Troy – 6-5, 265 senior

Matt Alston, Central Clarion – 5-10, 200 senior

Garrett Jasper, Cambria Heights – 6-2, 240 senior

Reed Palmer, Troy – 6-4, 250 sophomore

Alex Long, Camp Hill – 6-3, 210 senior

Linebacker

Dominic Fetterolf, Southern Columbia – 6-1, 220 senior

Jack Burbage, Troy – 6-2, 200 senior

Charlie Hepfl, Central Clarion – 6-0, 178 junior

Skylor Green, Williams Valley – 6-0, 180 senior

Chris Ulmer, Lansdale Catholic – 6-3, 225 senior

Defensive Back

Lincoln Chimics, Troy – 6-3, 175 senior

Julius Phillips, Farrell – 6-2, 185 senior

Noah Doi, Camp Hill – 5-9, 140 senior

Leyden Hertz, Schuylkill Haven – 6-2, 180 senior

Athlete

Brendan Gilliland, Troy – 6-0, 210 junior

Eli Butler, Warrior Run – 5-10, 180 senior

Specialist

Thomas Uckert, Central Clarion – 5-9, 157 senior

First Published: December 28, 2024, 3:00 p.m.