D6SN Top 20 Impact Players for 2014: #11 Austin Montgomery

11. Austin Montgomery

Bedford

6'1" 190 JR. Quarterback/Safety

2013 Offensive Stats - 1,306 Passing Yards. 9 touchdowns. 520 Rushing yards. 14 Touchdowns. 

2013 Defensive Stats - N/A

Highlights - http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1717345/highlights/155746376

The Scoop - Not everyone can operate a triple-option offense to perfection, but Austin Montgomery seemed to do OK with it as a sophomore. Well, more than OK. Montgomery had the Bison rolling over the opposition on the ground last season as the offense was clicking on all cylinders. Not many people expected Bedford to be a top notch team last year, but the emergence of Montgomery and the sophomore class elevated this team to a championship contender. Now this season, Bedford has a target on their back as they are fully in the conference championship picture. Montgomery can really sling it too, and that makes the running game all the more dangerous. You have to respect every aspect of Montgomery's game, and sometimes that can be overwhelming for opposing defenses. Bedford is legit, they could win a lot of football games this year - go check them out as soon as you can. 

D6SN Top 20 Impact Players for 2014: #12 Duane Boone

12. Duane Boone

Tyrone 

6'2" 200 Defensive End/Tight End

2013 Offensive Stats: 7 catches. 79 yards. 1 touchdown. 

2013 Defensive Stats: 15.5 tackles for loss. 7 sacks. 2 fumble recoveries. 

Highlights - http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2269761/highlights/142831377

The Scoop - It is not a great quarterback or a prolific running back leading Tyrone this season as the favorites of district six, but a powerful defensive end. His name is Duane Boone, and he is very, very good at football. Boone plays the game with an intense motor, and wreaks havoc in opposing backfields play after play. You look at Boone's stats, and then you watch his film, and you can see his does much more than what is on maxpreps page. Boone bats down passes with his long arms, he forces fumbles like it's his job, and can do so many things that it makes him one of the best defensive lineman in the area. Boone is athletic enough to stand up and drop back into coverage in a hybrid outside linebacker role, but he's also strong enough to stick his hand in the ground and bull rush a tackle right over. Boone jumps off the film if you ask me, and this Tyrone defense has a chance to be special.  Boone could also come into play on the offensive side of the ball, as they do have a new quarterback to break in this season. Expect to see him catch more than 7 passes this season.  

D6SN Top 20 Impact Players for 2014: #13 Ean Lee

13. Ean Lee

Homer Center

6'1" 187 Running Back/Defensive Back

2013 Offensive Stats - 1,153 Rushing Yards. 12 Touchdowns.  9 catches. 93 Yards. 1 Touchdown.

2013 Defensive Stats - 2 Interceptions.

Highlights - http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1729241/ean-lee

The Scoop - Homer Center had a dream season in 2013 that included a Heritage Conference title and a victory over Bishop Guilfoyle in the District Six championship game. The Wildcats were paced by a thunder/lightning running approach with Mike Newhouse powering away, and Ean Lee using his speed to around defenders. Now with the graduation of Newhouse, a lot of the offense's weight will fall on the back of Ean Lee - and he will be ready to carry the load. The senior back brings a good blend of size and speed to the table, as he looks more than capable of exploding for a big season in 2014. Homer Center lost a lot of players from their championship team, and many are questioning if they will be back in the race this year. With Lee still around, Aaron Berezansky and company as well, don't expect the Wildcats to fall off the map just yet, they can still play. 

D6SN Top 20 Impact Players for 2014: #14 Logan Eller

14. Logan Eller

Somerset

6'0" 200 Linebacker

2013 Offensive Stats - N/A

2013 Defensive Stats - 82 solo tackles. 4 sacks. 1 interception. 1 fumble recovery.

Highlights - http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1766801/highlights/66311375

The Scoop - The list does not consist of very many defense-only players, but not many defenders are all-state linebacker Logan Eller. The Somerset Golden Eagles' man in the middle is one of the better linebackers in the whole state. His 2013 season earned him recognition on the all-state team, and almost every local accolade available. Eller keyed a Somerset defense that was one of the area's best, and will likely be again this season. The Golden Eagles had a big year last year, and with all that is set in place, it could be even better in 2014. Eller flies sideline to sideline making life miserable on opposing offenses. He hits hard and has a knack for the play. Eller could be making another run at an all-state season, all the while Somerset makes a deep run into the state playoffs. 

D6SN Top 20 Impact Players for 2014: #15 Sam McCloskey

15. Sam McCloskey

Bishop Guilfoyle

5'11" 190 Running Back/Safety

2013 Offensive Stats: 862 Rushing Yards. 8 Touchdowns. 231 Receiving Yards. 4 Touchdowns. 

2013 Defensive Stats: 31 solo tackles. 3 interceptions. 1 fumble recovery.

Highlights - http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1513708/highlights/109643375

The Scoop - Bishop Guilfoyle has big plans this season, and Sam McCloskey is a big reason why. There is not much the versatile McCloskey can't do. Running the ball? Check. McCloskey was second on the team in rushing last season and helps form one of the area's most lethal rushing attacks.  Catch the ball? Sure. He also was the second leading receiver for Marauders and provides a great receiving option out of the backfield. Tackle? Yep. McCloskey helped make BG one of the toughest D's around, and he is a big hitter from the secondary. McCloskey came up with three interceptions last year also. He is just a guy that makes himself very involved in every single play, and he's fun to watch. Bishop Guilfoyle is going to be really good this season, I mean realllllly good. You'll have your chances to watch them play, take advantage. 

D6SN Top 20 Impact Players for 2014: #16 Luke Dividock

16. Luke Dividock

Portage 

6'0 175 JR Running Back/Linebacker

2013 Offensive Stats - 857 rushing Yards. 7 touchdowns. 11 catches. 103 receiving yards.
2013 Defensive Stats - 64 solo tackles. 4 interceptions. 1 fumble recovery.
Highlights - http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1747794/luke-dividock

The Scoop - Portage has one of the best 1-2 punches in all of district six, and Luke Dividock is part one. Sometimes overshadowed by Caleb Kephart, Dividock actually could be the go-to-guy for a lot of teams - he is that good. The junior back has already managed to rush for 1,501 yards in the first two years of his career while not being the primary running back, and that right there should tell you what kind of running game Portage possesses. The Mustangs have a lot of pieces in place to make a run for a trip to the district final, and Dividock's play will be a big reason why.  Not only is Dividock a solid back, but the young Mustang proves to be one of the best linebackers in the WestPac.  All around, pound for pound, Dividock is a very good and underrated player.  Check him out this year, as Portage should be making noise all season long.

D6SN Top 20 Impact Players for 2014: #17 Will Seymour

17. Will Seymour

Central Cambria

6'0" 220 SR. Quarterback/Safety

2013 Offensive Stats: 1,220 Passing yards. 6 Touchdowns. 696 Rushing Yards. 14 Touchdowns. 

2013 Defensive Stats: 39 total tackles. 1 interception. 1 fumble recovery.

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1650565/highlights/100387375

The Scoop - Just watch a minute of Will Seymour's highlights, and you will see right away he is not your everyday running quarterback. Seymour is built like a power running back, and can flat out run people over. Central Cambria was in cruise control last season at the early part of the schedule, and Seymour was a big reason why. Still CC faded down the stretch, but I think the Red Devils could be a dark-horse to win the Section I crown of the LHAC. A lot of talk is about Guilfoyle and Forest Hills, but do not sleep on this team. Seymour is a special player, and can keep them around in any game. His physical style of play translates well to the defensive side of the ball also.  If he chooses to continue his playing career into college football, whatever team he ends up with is getting one heck of a football player. 

D6SN Top 20 Impact Players for 2014: #18 Matt Wiley

18. Matt Wiley

Chestnut Ridge

6'2" 200 Running Back/Linebacker

2013 Offensive Stats: 1,127 Rushing Yards. 13 Touchdowns.

2013 Defensive Stats: 132 Total Tackles. 1 interception. 1 fumble recovery.

Highlights - http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1689570/highlights/131720376

The Scoop - Sometimes you may forget about Chestnut Ridge. After all they are independent, and play a different kind of schedule. So maybe you never heard of Matt Wiley - well, now you have heard of him. Wiley plays middle linebacker like a man possessed and hits you, and then he hits you some more. The Lions' man in the middle is one of the area's best linebackers as he seems to gravitate to the ball and makes big play after big play. Not only is Wiley a superb linebacker, but he led Chestbut Ridge in rushing and will do the same this season. He averaged 6 yards a carry, and may have to take on a bigger role without Beau Bosch playing QB.  You might want to check out Ridge this season, and you won't be disappointed. I'd recommend the Bedford game in particular, because that game is going to be a battle. 

D6SN Top 20 Impact Players for 2014: #19 Grant Syster

19. Grant Syster 

Purchase Line

5'10" 187 SR. Running Back/Linebacker 

2013 Offensive Stats: 1,593 Rushing Yards. 14 Touchdowns. 

2013 Defensive Stats: N/A

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1842005/highlights/104611376

The Scoop - Here is another player you may not know about, but you soon will. Grant Syster is trying to put Purchase Line back on the map this season, and he might just do it.  The Heritage Conference could be more wide open than ever this season, and perhaps the Dragons make some serious noise. Syster is a very good running back, and I mean really good. He may not be the fastest or shiftiest back on this list, but he has great vision. He can hit the hole and is seemingly one step ahead of the defenders every time. He is a workhorse back that plays the game with a physical style. Syster is a good stand up Defensive End/Outside Linebacker hybrid, and can really come up and make big plays in the backfield. Again, maybe Purchase Line might not have been a team you were planning on watching this season, but I bet you didn't know the have a player this good.  Go see this kid, he can play. 

D6SN Top 20 Impact Players for 2014: #20 Eric Sherkel

20. Eric Sherkel

Moshannon Valley

6'0" 180 JR Quarterback/Safety

2013 Offensive Stats: 940 passing yards. 11 Touchdowns. 1,150 rushing yards. 13 touchdowns.
2013 Defensive Stats: 17 Tackles. 4 Interceptions.
Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3535437/highlights/107801398

The Scoop - Sherkel is definitely one of the better players you probably never heard of, but you will after this season. Sherkel is the Superman for the Black Knights offense - no seriously, check out that Superman dive in his highlight video. The dual-threat QB that runs the Mo Valley offense is a silky-smooth open field runner with the ability to make the big throws. Moshannon Valley is looking to work their way back into the playoffs, and behind Sherkel's play, that seems to be a real possibility. His talents do not stop on the offensive side of the ball, as he could probably be listed as one of the best defensive backs in the ICC. Sherkel is the real deal, make your way to Houtzdale, PA if you get the chance this season.