ESPNHS Pennsylvania

A quintet of football stars from Pennsylvania were honored today on the ESPNHS All-American team.

Senior tight end Colin Thompson of Archbishop Wood and senior Noah Spence of Bishop McDevitt earned first team All-American nods. Thompson, according to the list...

"Whether run blocking or catching passes, Thompson made a huge impact for the Vikings, who rolled to the Class AAA state title. Rated the nation's No. 1 tight end by ESPNU, Thompson has committed to Florida."

Spence, according to the list...

"Spence, who was named Gatorade State Player of the Year, finished the season with 108 tackles and 12.5 sacks while leading McDevitt to the Class AAA state final. The Ohio State recruit is rated No. 4 in the ESPNU 150."

In addition to the two first-teamers, senior running back Rushel Shell of Hopewell made the second team. On the third team was junior offensive lineman Robert Kugler of North Allegheny and senior offensive lineman Brandon Arcidiacono of Archbishop Wood.

For the full list of ESPNHS All-Americans, click here.

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

Whether you’re putting together a grouping of best quarterbacks or worst albums, or you’re making that special list for Santa, there’s nothing quite like a good list. So in honor of the holiday season we’re bringing you lists all week long — Merry List-Mas!

Today: Pennsylvania's A-Listers.

In the NFL, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are A-Listers. In the NBA, it’s LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. But who are the A-Listers in Pennsylvania? That’s where today’s list comes in. Regardless of sport, here’s our list of the top five A-List athletes in the state. Can you think of an A-Lister we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments.

5. Colton Storm (JR), Cumberland Valley, Soccer
Credentials: Rated the nation’s No. 5 recruit in the ESPNU 150: 2013, played on USA U-17 National Team

4. Jimmy Gulibon (SR), Derry, Wrestling
Credentials: Nation’s No. 1-ranked wrestler at 126 pounds by InterMat, Penn State recruit, three-time state champ

3. Noah Spence (SR), Bishop McDevitt, Football
Credentials: No. 4 in the ESPNU 150, Offers from 24 major college programs, state finalist, All-American

2. Amile Jefferson (SR), Friends’ Central, Basketball
Credentials: No. 24 in ESPNU 100, ESPNHS Cover (Holiday 2011), Recruited by a dozen major college programs

1. Rushel Shell (SR), Hopewell, Football
Credentials: No. 24 in ESPNU 100, All-Time state rushing leader, Pittsburgh recruit, ESPNHS cover (Sept. 2011), All-American

Click here to check out some of the other states in our Five Days of List-Mas.

Tomorrow: The top underclassman football players from Pennsylvania.

Bishop McDevitt defensive End Noah Spence was named the Gatorade Pennsylvania Football Player of the Year this morning.

Spence, a senior, has led his Crusaders team to the PIAA Class AAA state quarterfinals (playoffs are still ongoing) and has led a defense that has surrendered less than 12 points per game. He's also an Under Armour All-American.

For the breakdown on Spence's award, click here.

Each week, we’ll take an in-depth look at our All-State preseason football team and let you know how a few of those athletes are faring as the season progresses. We'll highlight a blue-chipper (a first-team player), an OTP (other top player) and an under-the-radar pick (someone who didn't make the squad but is making a case to be on the team).

This week, a top-five recruit gets his numbers, a top defensive back makes a college commitment and a running back averages a first down per carry.

Blue Chip: Noah Spence, Bishop McDevitt, DL

Yesterday MaxPreps had a great story about how Spence is impacting games without putting up the monster stats he generated last season. Of course, it was going to be difficult to put up another 23-sack season, especially since teams are doing everything in their power to neutralize the nation's No. 4 recruit in the ESPNU 150. But so far this season he's posted five sacks and 11 tackles for loss. He's still making a major impact.

OTP: Nate Smith, Archbishop Wood, DB

Smith has been one of the biggest reasons for Archbishop Wood's success this season. The team is 6-1 and is ranked No. 2 in the POWERADE Pennsylvania Weekly Rankings, with the lone loss coming to the state's top team, Pittsburgh Central Catholic. Smith, a senior defensive back, has been one of the reasons for the team's success this season, and now he's made his college decision — he'll be headed to West Virginia to play next season.

Under the Radar: Preston Bare, Palmyra, RB


There isn't a running back in the country that didn't wish he had a back that averaged 10 yards per carry. That's a first down on every play. And that's what Bare is averaging this season — he's rushed for 1,484 yards on only 142 carries (for those of you who aren't doing well in math class, that's 10.45 yards per carry). The senior running back also has 20 rushing touchdowns on the season.