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The fax machines were quite busy in the offices of high schools across Western Pennsylvania on Wednesday morning, as dozens of high school football players signed and sent national letters of intent.
Here’s a look at some of the players and where they’re headed:

Class of 2013
NCAA Division I-FBS schools
Alabama
Robert Foster WR Central Valley
Akron
Zach Guiser DB Greensburg C.C.
Mike Kish DE Brentwood
Thomas Woodson QB Gateway
Michigan
Pat Kugler OL North Allegheny
Ohio
Dorian Brown RB Baldwin
Pitt
Tyler Boyd WR Clairton
Zach Challingsworth WR South Fayette
Titus Howard DB Clairton
Dorian Johnson OL Belle Vernon
Scott Orndoff * TE Seton-La Salle
Jaymar Parrish TE Gateway
Terrish Webb WR Clairton
Temple
Matt Barone OL Montour
Tyler Haddock DL Montour
Todd Jeter DB Gateway
UTEP
Mack Leftwich QB North Allegheny
West Virginia
Hodari Christian* LB McKeesport
Chavas Rawlins * QB Monessen

Other Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 players who signed
The Citadel
Forrest Barnes RB Seneca Valley
California University (Pa.)
Tom Greene WR Woodland Hills
Jawan Turner DL Woodland Hills
West Virginia Wesleyan
Zach Schademan WR Thomas Jefferson

Other Greensburg Tribune-Review Terrific 25 players who signed
Alderson-Broaddus
Don Cima WR/DB Penn-Trafford
Concord
Brian McDonough HB/LB Penn-Trafford
Lehigh
Micah Tennant OL/DL Ligonier Valley
Mercyhurst
Dorian Stevens WR Penn-Trafford
* Already enrolled, did not sign letter of intent

DIVISION I-FCS
BUCKNELL
Alexander Romango QB Fox Chapel

CITADEL
Forrest Barnes RB Seneca Valley
Ryan Bednar OL South Allegheny
Jonathan Dorogy DB Seneca Valley

COLGATE
Alex Campbell TE Canon-McMillan

CORNELL
Dane Brown RB Franklin Regional

DUQUESNE
Mike Mondzelewski OL Upper St. Clair
Malik Shegog DB Aliquippa

GEORGETOWN
Justin Hill WR Montour
Leo Loughrey LB Central Catholic

JAMES MADISON
Jordan Brown WR Seneca Valley

LEHIGH
Micah Tennant OL Ligonier Valley

PRINCETON
Pat Hall OL Thomas Jefferson

RICHMOND
Brendan Coniker DB North Allegheny

ROBERT MORRIS*
Luke Brumbaugh QB Seton-La Salle
Alex Caratelli WR Blackhawk
Joe Carroll QB Thomas Jefferson
Mike Woltz TE Peters Township

ST. FRANCIS (Pa.)*
Cole Bush RB Burrell

YOUNGSTOWN STATE
Jaylin Kelly LB Washington
Cole Kochman LB Peters Township
Anthony Parente OL Gateway
Justin Spencer OL Indiana

DIVISION II

ALDERSON-BROADDUS
Dakota Bruggeman QB Knoch
Nick Holtzer OL Greensburg Salem

CALIFORNIA (Pa.)
Alex Beasley LB Woodland Hills
Robert Bell RB Beaver Falls
Tom Greene WR Woodland Hills
Patrick Kline OL Pine-Richland
Ryan McCauley HB Seneca Valley
Jordan McRae RB Connellsville
Acantay Patton DL Hopewell
Tyler Peerson OL Freedom
Colin Reese OL Beaver
Lloyd Reid DL Perry
Jawan Turner DL Woodland Hills

CLARION*
Shane McKillop OL Freeport

CONCORD
Brian McDonough TE Penn-Trafford

INDIANA (Pa.)
Jordan Diven DE West Allegheny
Patrick Ferguson RB Allderdice
CJ Jackson TE Pine-Richland
Rex Pearce FB Elizabeth Forward
Ed Stockett QB McKeesport
Kevin Edwards TE North Allegheny
Chaz Cheatham WR Valley
Darian Bradley RB Beaver

MERCYHURST*
Collin Wass OL Belle Vernon

SETON HILL*
Brant Blacharczyk FB McGuffey

SLIPPERY ROCK
Dean Ketterer C Seneca Valley
Marcus Martin DE West Mifflin
Nick Dahlstrom DL Seneca Valley
Mileak Ford HB Gateway
Derrick Fulmore DB West Mifflin
Bishop Gethers LB Allderdice
Cornelius Raye WR Allderdice
Isiah Neely RB OLSH
Bobby Vernick LB Butler

WEST LIBERTY
Caleb Reihner OL McGuffey

WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN
Jordan Barnes OL Woodland Hills
Zach Schademan WR Thomas Jefferson

WAYNE STATE
Marqua Perdue S McKeesport
*School did not release complete list of signees.

The big recruiting news of the day comes from Belle Vernon offensive tackle Dorian Johnson, who told Jeff Oliver of the Valley Independent that he has a leader among his college choices. Johnson and Central Valley receiver Robert Foster, who shared the same field last Friday, will visit the same school next weekend. Meantime, Clairton star Tyler Boyd will take a break from his record-setting run to take an official visit to a Big Ten school next weekend.

Speaking of record-setting runs, Washington star tailback Shai McKenzie is starting to generate major-college interest.

But, as far as being the top junior prospect in the WPIAL, McKenzie still takes a backseat to Aliquippa’s Dravon Henry.

The WPIAL quarterfinals could better determine conference supremacy in each classification, and a Class AAA quarterfinal promises to be out of this world, in terms of offensive styles, while another is simply thinking outside the box, in terms of Western Pennsylvania’s reputation for smash mouth football.

- Kevin Gorman

The WPIAL Baseball Coaches Association released rosters today for its June 10 all-star doubleheader at Burkett Field in Robinson. The 1 p.m. game matches Class A against Class AA. The 4 p.m. game matches Class AAA against Class AAAA. The players also will be honored at a 7 p.m. banquet June 8 at the Airport Marriott. For banquet reservations, contact Tony Villiotti at 412-429-0546.

Class AAAA 

Anthony Cinello, Bethel Park
Russell Clark, Pine-Richland
Eddie Dutkewycz, Albert Gallatin
Jack Elliott, Upper St Clair
Andrew Erenberg, Peters Township
Anthony Fanelli, Hempfield
Mick Fennell, Butler
Anthony Garofalo, Plum
Ian Happ, Mt Lebanon
Luke Koshinksy, Plum
Zach Krivda, McKeesport
Max McDowell, Norwin
Ryan Mincher, Shaler
Ben Nolan, Bethel Park
Cam Onderko, Norwin
Nick Opferman, Baldwin
Troy Schoeppner, Upper St Clair
Matt Smith, Seneca Valley
Mike Wilcox, Upper St Clair
Matt Wolczko, Kiski Area

AAAA coaches: Andy Maddix, North Allegheny; Rick Satcho, McKeesport; Todd Schiffhauer, North Allegheny; Eric Semega, Seneca Valley.

Class AAA

Hunter Bigler, Trinity
Cory Callan, Hampton
Tyler Craig, Blackhawk
Tyler Drusbasky, Ringgold
Zac Heide, Mount Pleasant
Christian Herstine, Beaver
Shane Hertzog, Mount Pleasant
Dan Jena, South Park
Everett Lesko, West Mifflin
Anthony Marks, Montour
Mac Megahan, Knoch
Mike Megahan, Moon
Mike Nowicki, Greensburg-Salem
Ryan Ruffing, Thomas Jefferson
Greg Schneider, Thomas Jefferson
Nate Steel, Hopewell
John Szmed, Greensburg-Salem
C.J. Weigand, Mars
Trevor Williams, West Allegheny
Zarley Zalewski, Valley

AAA coaches: George Bradley, Knoch; Bruce Herstine, Beaver; Rich Krivanek, Thomas Jefferson; Jeff Kuzma, West Mifflin.

Class AA

Brad Appleby, Greensburg CC
Shane Conley, Carlynton
Ryan Dunn, Freeport
Todd Fennick, Laurel
Brandon Galley, Southmoreland
Tanner Garry, Fort Cherry
Joey Giles, Sto-Rox
Phil Gnus, Brownsville
Rob Hardy, Riverside
Kevin Hart, Seton LaSalle
Ben Hartz, Shady Side Academy
Rick Jones, Laurel
Christian Kerns, Ellwood City
Joe Monica, Waynesburg
Fran O’Connor, Freedom
Jordan Price, Freedom
Alex Swauger, Waynesburg
C J Testarella, Riverview
Coty Villinger, Southmoreland
Brent Williams, Fort Cherry

AA coaches: Dan O’Leary, Freedom; Skooter Roebuck , Brownsville; Jason Sharp, Carlynton; Mark Suckfiel, South Allegheny; Eric Verdi, Laurel.

Class A

Matt Bakewell, California
Nick Clarke, Carmichaels
Sean Cotton, California
Coby Croft, Avonworth
Tyler Delval, Bentworth
Brandon Duerr, Our Lady of Sacred Heart
Alain Girman, Serra Catholic
Evan Gourley, Vincentian Academy
Joe Killian, Springdale
Mike Knox, Beth-Center
Chris Koryak, Vincentian Academy
Brandon Lesko, Jefferson-Morgan
Jake Miller, North Catholic
Zach Miller, North Catholic
Tyler Sabatula, Beth-Center
John Sansone, Neshannock
John Shaw, Avella
Nick Smydo, Bentworth
Alex Strittmatter, Neshannock
Tyler Swarmer, Leechburg

A coaches: Phil Coffin, Avonworth; Brian Dzurenda, Serra Catholic; Mike Kirkwood, Neshannock; Randy Miller, North Catholic.

– Chris Harlan (charlan@tribweb.com)

I hadn’t covered a WPIAL basketball game in almost six years but after hearing so much about Micah Mason the past two seasons, felt obligated to check out the Highlands senior point guard in person before his record-setting high school basketball career was over.

Mason put on an impressive performance in the season finale at Hampton (19-3, 14-0), nearly leading the Golden Rams (8-14, 6-8) to an upset victory before falling, 79-73, in overtime. My Saturday column, There’s No Denying Micah Mason, focused on the junk defenses the WPIAL’s leading scorer faces almost every game and how he’s overcome them, as well as an illness.

Beforehand, Hampton coach Joe Lafko told me the key was to use a full-court press against Highlands, which forced Mason to work the length of the court and to give up the ball once he crossed midcourt and met double-team traps near the 3-point line. It worked, to an extent.

Mason spent some of the game as a decoy, drawing the defense in before finding open teammates. He still finished with a game-high 32 points, making 12 of 24 from the field, including 5 of 12 from 3-point range, and 3 of 4 free throws. Incredible as it sounds, he was very unselfish with the ball.

“His shooting percentage is probably down this year because he’s probably taking more shots,” Highlands coach Shawn Bennis said. “He was 5 of 12 from 3 last game (before Hampton). We’re sitting there saying, ‘That’s bad for him.’ But it’s 40 percent with two guys in his face.”

The sad part of the story is that Mason doesn’t have a strong supporting cast in his senior season. He’s the only returning starter after Trey Duncan transferred to Valley and sophomore Kashiun McMillan to Carrick and junior center Aquelay Frison didn’t play for personal reasons. Highlands’ second-leading scorer, Mason’s best friend Gage Clark, hadn’t played since eighth grade.  Only one other player, 6-4 senior Alan Crise, is taller than 6-2.

“We had a good team last year and (opponents) still played junk defenses but my teammates helped them get out of it,” Mason said. “I try to stay positive and not worry about it. It is what it is, and I can’t change anything.”

One of his most impressive plays came when Mason snared a rebound and took off on a fast break, dribbling behind his back to slip past one defender and then using a crossover to split a double team and gliding in for a right-handed layup that gave Highlands a 22-21 lead in the second quarter. 

Mason was at his best in the third quarter, when he scored 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting with two 3s, including one on a steal where he pulled up from 22 feet as the defenders were chasing after him and had their backs turned. 

Frustrated in the fourth, Mason missed 4 of 5 shots and the front end of a one-on-one free throw before making the tying basket on a driving layup with 4.7 seconds remaining in regulation. And he missed all three shots from the field in overtime, scoring only on two free throws.

Overall, I was impressed with Mason, a 6-foot-2, 179-pounder who has signed with Drake, mostly because he doesn’t have a great supporting cast. Although he’s known as a 3-point ace — he broke T.J. McConnell’s WPIAL record for career 3-pointers last Tuesday – I see Mason projecting as a point guard in college. He has a nice handle, is quick off the dribble and made some pretty passes, including a couple of no-looks to wide-open teammates.

Obviously, Mason needs to get stronger. The POTS wiped out his summer and fall conditioning and affects his stamina. He appears to pace himself at times, but never came out of the game. One thing that impresses me, and was pointed out by others, is that Mason isn’t a superior athlete. It’s obvious that he has spent countless hours working on his game, especially his shooting. His range extends to 28 feet (no kidding) and his shot is pure. He needs to work on elevating on his jumper, which looks more like a set shot at the moment, to get it off under pressure against bigger players in college.

“I think he’s been so great for the WPIAL because he’s a self-made kid,” Mars coach Rob Carmody said. “He’s taken everything you would want and poured it into the game. The results are obvious. He has such a belief in himself. He’s awful fun to watch, even if you’re a coach, because he’s so dedicated to it.”

One thing Carmody pointed out about Mason is that his career started the year the WPIAL reduced its regular season from 24 to 22 games, which means Mason has had eight less games in his career than his predecessors. And he’s only had one extended playoff run, when Highlands reached the WPIAL Class AAA final and PIAA second round his freshman year. Mason has played in four postseason games since then.

Even so, Mason ranks 16th in WPIAL history with 2,224 career points. The players directly ahead of him, ranging from Beaver Falls’ Lance Jeter to Connellsville’s James Hairston, Pine-Richland’s Allan MacQuarrie, Blackhawk’s Dante Calabria and Brandon Fuss-Cheatham and Yough’s Ben McCauley, all had WPIAL finals runs in their junior or senior seasons.

Given another 10 games, Mason would have easily cracked the WPIAL’s top 10 career scoring leaders. Regardless, he has a remarkable high school career. Here’s hoping it continues long enough to see him play again.

Thirty-three football players from the WPIAL and City League plan to sign national letters of intent Wednesday with NCAA Division I FBS schools. Below is a look at the player, his high school and the college where he has made a verbal commitment.

WR Shakim Alonzo, Woodland Hills, Cincinnati

DL J.J. Beggan, Seton-La Salle, Bowling Green

OL Adam Bisnowaty, Fox Chapel, Pitt

LB Mike Caprara, Woodland Hills, Pitt

DB Trenton Coles, Clairton, Pitt

LB Jaylen Coleman, University Prep, Toledo

LB Dakota Conwell, Upper St. Clair, Arizona

DB Demetrious Cox, Jeannette, Michigan State

WR Dustin Creel, Western Beaver, Eastern Michigan

OL Logan Dietz, Central Catholic, Bowling Green

RB Julian Durden, Montour, Kent State

DL Waylon Fink, Greensburg Salem, Buffalo

DB Dontez Ford, Sto-Rox, Syracuse

RB Greg Garmon, Erie McDowell, Iowa

DL Arthur Goldberg, Mt. Lebanon, Wisconsin

DB Juwan Haynes, Central Catholic, Toledo

DL Treyvon Hester, Penn Hills, Toledo

QB Perry Hills, Central Catholic, Maryland

TE J.P. Holtz, Shaler, Pitt

TE Jesse James, South Allegheny, Penn State

DL Tyrique Jarrett, Allderdice, Pitt (Milford Academy, N.Y.)

WR Corey Jones, Penn Hills, Toledo

RB Damion Jones-Moore, Central Catholic, Toledo

DB Reggie Mitchell, Shady Side Academy, Wisconsin

LB T.J. Neal, McKeesport, Illinois

DB Anthony Nixon, Central Catholic, Maryland

OL Ian Park, Upper St. Clair, Northwestern

LB Deaysean Rippy, Sto-Rox, TBA: Pitt or WVU

TE Jack Schwaba, Upper St. Clair, Northwestern

RB Rushel Shell, Hopewell, Pitt

DL Mike Steals, Woodland Hills, Eastern Michigan

DB Chaz Whittaker, Penn Hills, Toledo

OL Jake Witucki, Highlands, Kent State

For all the backlash brought about by the “hammer down, left lane” departure of Todd Graham from Pitt, it’s worth noting that not every major-college football coach should be stereotyped as used-car salesmen.

Even used-car salesmen are offended by that association.

Here’s an example of a classy exit: After being dismissed by Texas A&M, Mike Sherman sent a letter to every high school football coach in the state to share the wisdom he has learned over the course of his coaching career.

It’s an inspiring letter, one that should be required reading for everyone who plays, coaches and covers football, at any level.  

– Kevin Gorman

Hopewell’s Rushel Shell and Montour’s Julian Durden will be Pennsylvania’s running backs in the Big 33 Football Classic — two of the 12 WPIAL and City League players chosen for the June 16 all-star game at Hersheypark Stadium. The Pennsylvania roster was announced Sunday.

PENNSYLVANIA ROSTER

QB: Skyler Mornhinweg, St Joe’s Prep; Brendan Nosovitch, Allentown Central Catholic.

RB: Julian Durden, Montour; Rushel Shell, Hopewell.

TE: J.P. Holtz, Shaler; Colin Thompson, Archbishop Wood.

OL: Brandon Arcidiacono, Archbishop Wood; J.J. Denman, Pennsbury; Adam Depietro, Lancaster Catholic; Jason Emerich, Blue Mountain; Kyle Friend, Cumberland Valley; Ian Park, Upper St. Clair; Frank Taylor, Archbishop Wood.

WR: Shakim Alonzo, Woodland Hills; Kevin Guylas, Allentown Central Catholic; Corey Jones, Penn Hills; Eugene Lewis, Wyoming Valley West.

ATH: Greg Garmon, Erie McDowell.

DB: Anthony Nixon, Central Catholic; Andrew Scanlan, Spring-Ford; Damiere Shaw, Cardinal O’Hara; Nate Smith, Archbishop Wood; Miles Williams, Bishop McDevitt.

DL: Treyvon Hester, Penn Hills; Tyrique Jarrett, Allderdice; Evan Schwan, Central Dauphin; Noah Spence, Bishop McDevitt; Terrell Williams, McKeesport.

LB: Bryton Barr, Mechanicsburg; Mike Caprara, Woodland Hills; Jon Hicks, Palmyra; Nyeem Wartman, Valley View.

S: Michael Felton, South Western.

K Bryant Myer, Manheim Central.

– Chris Harlan (charlan@tribweb.com)