Last week, I published the highly anticipated "Mike Kovak's All-Time Football Team" which consisted of high school players within the Observer-Reporter coverage area and who played from the 1999 season to present.
The list included major college football award winners, Major League Baseball draft selections and even a couple current student-athletes.
Readers were asked to offer up some ideas for inclusion several months ago and there were a few interesting names.
Now, it's time to reveal the players who were considered but failed to make the starting lineup.
QB – Cody Endres (Trinity), Andrew DiDonato (South Fayette), Niel Loebig (South Fayette)
RB – Mike Vernillo (Fort Cherry), Rocky Doman (Carmichaels), Ben Farrell (Fort Cherry), Jeremy Cole (Ringgold)
WR – Mike Sutton (Washington), Blake Williamson (Chartiers-Houston), Scott Macerelli (Canon-McMillan), Eric Taylor (Canon-McMillan), Brandon Jackson (Monessen)
TE – Derek Mears (Waynesburg), Jeremy Gayman (Waynesburg), Mark Faldowski (Trinity)
OL – John Testa (Trinity), Josh Novotny (Carmichaels), Greg Carson (Waynesburg)
DL – Vontey Johnson (Washington), Brandon Doppleheuer (Waynesburg), Steve Hvizda (Beth-Center)
LB – Mike Harrington (Fort Cherry), Darnell Hawkins (Ringgold), Jared Dumm (Charleroi), Dan Conley (Burgettstown), Greg Carson (Waynesburg), Matt Stay (Beth-Center), Mike Randolph (Chartiers-Houston), Dave Grillo (Charleroi), Lloyd Price (Ringgold)
DB – Marques Parks (South Fayette), Chris Byrd (Monessen), T.J. Carden (Ringgold), Mark Clark (Washington), Troy Cree (Waynesburg)
10 comments:
Cody Endres? Are you serious.
You have him ahead of Gregula?
Sorry, Mike. That's way off base. If you are basing this solely on who went on to play college football at D-I, fine.
But Endres in no way had the high school career that Gregula had for Washington or for that matter Lee Fritz had for Waynesburg as QBs.
I think you've done a credible job with most of this. But Endres in no way ranks among the top, based on performance. No way!
Endres' numbers would have been far better had receivers not dropped as many passes. He's the only QB from this area in the last 9 years that could make every throw.
Always thought Gregula was a bit overrated as a football player. He had an incredible amount of talent around him and he was a good player but, other than throwing the deep ball, I did not think he could make the type of throws that Endres can. There is a reason why Endres was in a preseason battle to be UConn's No. 1 QB this year. When I spoke with UConn people before the Pitt game this year, they absolutely gushed about Endres.
Fritz would actually be my No. 2 QB but he's a defensive first-stringer so I decided to take it easy on him.
I definitely respect the opinion and thanks for sharing. I know Gregula has a lot of fans in the area. I was just never sold on him.
When I think of a great QB, I think of one with qualities not only with passing but with leadership, playing together and blocking when necessary.
You know yout are probably right about Gregula. He probsbly didn't make others around him better.
And the fact that he holds virtuallyv every passing record in Wash High history probably is to everyone elses credit. And the fact that an incredible percentage of his completions went for TDs says more about his receivers and lineman than him.
I remember him making plenty of plays but I guess that ovwerwhelming talent around him led to the 15-0 record WPIAL title and PIAA crown. Perhaps you missed some of those clutch throws in the second half of the WPIAL title game in 2001 versus Beaver Falls.
I'm not even going to talk sbout his kicking and punting and what that brought to the team and program for a couple of years. I'm sure the talent around him was a factor there as well.
Finally, in that all-star game, he destroyed the opposing team and threw a clutch TD to win that game. I know, it was the talent around him.
It really doesn't matter what anyone thinks, the numbers, wins, records and RINGS speak for themselves.
At the same time, I don't want to bash Cody Endres. But to put him in the category you have. I think you are overrating him big time - based on his high school career.
As far as him being in a battle for UConn's starting job, that's college. IS that what your team is based on?
If so perhaps you need to look at Jeff Monaco, guard at Yale, who happens to be outstanding, preseason All-American. He played for C-Mac, and I didn't see his name among the offensive linemen.
Ahhh, Jeff Monaco. There is an oversight. He should have been on the list. Oh well, can't remember everyone.
I'd still rather start a team with Endres.
Obviously, there are those out there who would rather start a team with Gregula. That's fine. I'd like to see some readers make their own teams and post them. I think it would make for interesting conversation.
Ahhh, Jeff Monaco. There is an oversight. He should have been on the list. Oh well, can't remember everyone.
I'd still rather start a team with Endres.
Obviously, there are those out there who would rather start a team with Gregula. That's fine. I'd like to see some readers make their own teams and post them. I think it would make for interesting conversation.
To my cousin, Rocky Doman...R.I.P.
We Will Love You Always!!!
Never knew Rocky personally as his senior year was my first year at the O-R but I always thought he was a very good football player.
Still trying to retire Rocky's #44 jersey! Petition is up to 1,100 names and still going! Plus over 120 from high school students! School Board will meet on March 18 Tues at 7:00pm to decide! Please everyone that wants this to be done attend!! Or sign petition at
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/rockyd44/petition.html
I think this a great idea with your all time teams Mike. You should continually update the lists every year. Of course anyone can debate these lists but that is what makes it fun.
Just so you know though. T.J. Carden was a Linebacker not a DB. He weighed about 220 as a high school senior then bulked up to about 245 at Cal U.
I still think Robert Minnie should be added as a D-Lineman. He had to of led the WPIAL in sacks. If he didnt tear his ACL his sophomore year he would have went D1.
I think Lorenzo Gardner should make a strong case for the QB position. He might have been the most athletic player to come out of Ringgold in the last 10 years. If not for some serious personal issues he would have went D1.
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