Panther-Lair.com will be counting down the best players in the WPIAL's recruiting class of 2018 now that state championships have concluded.
The WPIAL - or Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League for the uninitiated - is the home of decades of football history and top prospect. Six classifications of teams surrounding the Pittsburgh area call Pennsylvania's District 7 home and the district produces dozens of college football prospects annually. Starting today, Panther-Lair.com will be counting down the top 20 prospects in the WPIAL for the class of 2018.
Before beginning the list, honorable mentions nods will go to the following players: Aliquippa linebacker Tariq Jones, Laurel Highlands linebacker Ian Edenfield, Riverside wide receiver Austin Dambach, Washington athlete Isaiah Schoonmaker, Seneca Valley linebacker Gabe Miller, Montour linebacker Brayden Jones, Penn Trafford lineman Logan Hawkins, Belle Vernon lineman Blake Zubovic, and McKeesport athlete John Harper. Harper was particularly notable and made the decision between 20 and 21 incredibly difficult.
20. Justin Sliwoski - Quarterback - Greensburg (Pa.)
Hempfield's Justin Sliwoski is one of the more impressive quarterbacks in Pennsylvania for 2018 and should be one of a half-dozen or so quarterbacks in the state with Division I potential. Sliwoski is thin and will get stronger as he develops physically, but shows a rhythmic throwing motion and impressive ball placement. His pocket awareness (combined with an ability to take off and run if needed) and ability to work through his progressions are advanced.
19. Tim Smith - Running back - Penn Hills (Pa.)
Penn Hills' Tim Smith is one-half of a dynamic running back duo with sophomore Terry Smith and often provides the lightning to his teammate's thunder (not that Terry doesn't have speed of his own). Smith is slight and his size may be held against him in recruiting to some extent, but he possesses both straight-line speed and agility in spades. Smith's footwork and acceleration allow him to maximize his physical gifts. As he works towards his senior season, it should be interesting to see if Smith can emerge as an H-back at the college level and get work in the slot.
18. Noah Plack-Tellerico - Linebacker - McDonald (Pa.)
South Fayette standout Noah Plack-Tellerico does a lot of different things for his team that make him one of the most well-rounded athletes in western Pennsylvania. He's listed as an inside linebacker and he'll likely grow into that position, but Plack-Tellerico can comfortably rep at wide receiver, tight end, H-back, safety, and any of the three linebacker positions in high school, it seems. His highlight plays have involved his impressive catches downfield (for good reason), but Plack's athleticism and knack for the big moment make him most intriguing at linebacker.
17. Raymond Falcone - Wide receiver - Gibsonia (Pa.)
With 65 receptions for 1,391 yards and 14 touchdowns, Raymond Falcone burst onto the scene this season for Pine Richland in a major way. The slot receiver's production hardly seemed to slow down at all despite the absence of all-everything quarterback Phil Jurkovec for large stretches of the season. Falcone's quick feet and ability to create separation seemingly at will made him a member of the "always open" club this season. Coupling those traits with a sure pair of hands made Falcone a favorite target in the Rams' offense this season.
16. Brandon Lipford - Wide receiver - Imperial (Pa.)
West Allegheny's deep run to a WPIAL Championship this season was aided in large part by the emergence of slot wide receiver Brandon Lipford as a junior. Lipford is a speedy player who is deadly with the ball in his hands in open space. He has a similar game to the aforementioned Falcone and both will likely be slot players at the next level. Lipford's fancy footwork and straight-line speed make him a threat in the return game as well as in the passing attack. As Lipford continues to add size and muscle and can avoid some of those arm tackles, he'll break even more big plays.
