WARREN, Pa. – The Wilmington Greyhounds earned their third trip to the PIAA Class 2A championship game in the last four seasons in 2020.
Senior Ethan Susen was one of the major reasons why earning the 2020 Jim Kelly Award as D9and10Sports.com District 10 Player of the Year Award presented by the Allegheny Grille of Foxburg. This is the inaugural season for the awards on D9and10Sports.com.
On the offensive side of the ball, Susen was a force. Running behind a dominant offensive line, Susen amassed 1,443 yards on 162 carries scoring 13 touchdowns on the ground.
He was also a major threat in the receiving game with 14 receptions for 326 yards and four touchdowns.
On defense, Susen intercepted four passes (tied for third-best in District 10) and was one of the top tacklers on a Greyhound defense that allowed just 16.1 ppg.
Susen also was awarded the Individual Performance of the Year for his efforts against Chestnut Ridge in the PIAA quarterfinals.
Joining Susen as being honored with major postseason awards are Hickory’s Michael Henwood (Offensive Player of the Year), Wilmington teammate Weston Phanco (Offensive Lineman of the Year), Oil City’s Mario Fontanazza (Defensive Lineman of the Year) and Zac Kiefer (Defensive Player of the Year), Wilmington’s Brandon Phillian (Coach of the Year), Grove City’s Gavin Lutz (Rookie of the Year), Northwestern’s Preston Runser (Special Teams Player of the Year), Eisenhower vs. West Middlesex (Game of the Year), Eisenhower’s Jeff O’Brien (Assistant Coach of the Year), and Bob Greenburg (Unsung Hero of the Year).
JIM KELLY ALL-DISTRICT 10 AWARDS
Jim Kelly District 10 MVP – Ethan Susen, Sr., RB/DB, Wilmington
Offense: 162 carries, 1,443 yards, 13 TDs; 14 receptions, 326 yards, 4 TDs;
Defense: 4 interceptions, finished as one of the top tacklers on a stout Wilmington defense
Scoring: Scored 18 total touchdowns for 112 points
Photo by Andy Close
Jim Kelly Offensive Player of the Year – Michael Henwood, Sr., QB, Hickory
A true dual-threat quarterback, Henwood put together a special senior season in helping lead the Hornets to the District 10 Class 3A title. He completed 136-of-222 passes (61.3 percent) for 2,118 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 942 yards and an additional 13 touchdowns, with an average of 11.0 ypc.
Photo by Mike Schelle and courtesy of Leary Studio
Jim Kelly Defensive Player of the Year – Zac Kiefer, Sr., LB, Oil City
Kiefer was the top tackler for an Oiler defense that pitched four consecutive shutouts, including a D-10 Class 4A semifinal win over Conneaut. The senior linebacker amassed 93 tackles, including seven for loss, as well as five sacks.
Photo by Jared Bakaysa of JB Graphics. See more of Bakaysa’s work here
Jim Kelly Offensive Lineman of the Year – Weston Phanco, Sr., G, Wilmington
This award could have gone to any one of Wilmington’s lineman, as they were one of the top units not just in District 10, but in the entire state as well. Phanco was a big reason why from his guard position, helping lead a Greyhound team that rushed for an average of an astounding 345.8 ypg. The Greyhounds also threw for 65.8 yards per contest.
Photo by Paul Burdick. Check out more of Burdick’s work here
Jim Kelly Defensive Lineman of the Year – Mario Fontanazza, Sr., DT, Oil City
The Oiler senior was a force on both sides of the line in helping lead his team to the PIAA semifinals. Defensively, he amassed 72 tackles, 13 of which went for a loss, as well as eight sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.
Photo by Jared Bakaysa of JB Graphics. See more of Bakaysa’s work here
Jim Kelly Rookie Of the Year – Gavin Lutz, Fr, WR/DB, Grove City
It’s not easy to break onto the field as a freshman at a program like Grove City, but Lutz did just that as both a receiver and defensive back. He caught 23 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown and amassed 28 tackles and an interception on defense for an Eagle team that advanced to the D-10 Class 3A title game.
Jim Kelly Coach of the Year – Brandon Phillian, Wilmington
Phillian guided the Greyhounds to the PIAA Class 2A championship game for the second time in his three seasons as head coach in 2020. The Greyhounds finished with a record of 10-1, beating Farrell for the D-10 title, as well as wins over Chestnut Ridge and at Beaver Falls to reach the title game.
Photo by Andy Close
Jim Kelly Assistant Coach of the Year – Jeff O’Brien, Eisenhower
Head coach Jim Penley has a tremendous coaching staff at EHS, including O’Brien, who was instrumental in helping the Knights to an unbeaten 7-0 regular season. Ike went on to beat West Middlesex in the 1A semifinals before falling to Reynolds in the D-10 championship game.
Jim Kelly Special Teams Player of the Year – Preston Runser, Sr, PK, Northwestern
In seven games this fall, Runser had 12 extra points and five field goals, including a clutch overtime field goal in Week 1 against Maplewood, a 20-yarder that lifted the Wildcats to a 17-14 victory. He also handled kickoff duties for the Wildcats as well, recording five touchbacks.
Jim Kelly Individual Performance – Ethan Susen, Wilmington, Nov. 13 vs. Chestnut Ridge
Vs. Chestnut Ridge in PIAA Class 2A quarterfinals, in a 56-29 win, Susen put together one of the most remarkable rushing performances you will ever see. He carried the ball 30 times for 327 yards, an average of 10.9 yards per carry, with six of Wilmington’s eight touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 30 yards.
Photo by Paul Burdick. Check out more of Burdick’s work here
Jim Kelly Game of the Year – Oct. 30: Eisenhower 22, West Middlesex 21, 2 Overtimes, D10 Class 1A Semifinals
In the District 10 Class 1A semifinal, Eisenhower and West Middlesex battled to a 7-7 tie through regulation. Both defenses, which had been stifling through four quarters, yielded in overtime. Big Reds quarterback Ty Tate hooked up with Chris Smith on both a 10-yard touchdown and the 2-point conversion to give WM the lead. Ike running back Cael Black answered with a 9-yard touchdown run and quarterback Owen Trumbull leapt over the line for the conversion. In the second overtime, Trumbull ran it in from five yards out and Jake Venman connected on the point after for a 22-15 lead.
Eisenhower’s defense makes a stop during the playoff game with West Middlesex. Photo Steve Younger
Jim Kelly Unsung Hero – Bob Greenburg, Sales Manager/Sports Director Sports Radio 96.7 FM and 790 WPIC
When one thinks of Mercer County sports, one immediately thinks of Greenburg. The long-time radio personality has been working for 34 years promoting athletes in the county and around the state getting his start at WWIZ-FM before joining WPIC in 1999. Greenburg, a Hickory High School and Clarion Univerity graduate, is the de facto keeper of the Mercer County record books and is active on social media – particularly Twitter – promoting the athletes and their accomplishments. He has gone above and beyond the normal sports media person in promoting athletes both during the high school careers and after into college and the professional ranks, and the love the athletes have for him is easy to see in their interactions. Greenburg has also co-hosted a Monday night sports talk show for 32 years with Hugh Ringer and is a member of the Mercer County Hall of Fame board.
Bob Greenburg at this season’s PIAA Class 2A championship game between Wilmington and Southern Columbia. Photo courtesy of Ryan Briggs
The Allegheny Grille, where you come for the food and stay for the view, is a restaurant situated alongside the Allegheny River in Foxburg with breathtaking views, stellar service, and fine cuisine. Enjoy fabulous fine dining in a casual, elegant atmosphere.
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The D9and10Sports Football Awards are named after Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly with Kelly’s permission.
Kelly’s is most known as Hall of Fame quarterback of the Buffalo Bills who grew up in East Brady, Pa. and went to Miami (Fla). Kelly was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002 after passing for over 45,000 yards as a pro, including two seasons in the USFL, with 320 career touchdown passes. He led the Bills to four straight AFC Titles.
Jim Kelly D9and10Sports.com All-District 10 Team Powered by the Allegheny Grille of Foxburg
OFFENSE
QB – Michael Henwood, Hickory
RB – Ethan Susen, Wilmington
RB – Anthony Stallworth, Farrell
RB – Cam Russell, Oil City
WR – Ramarion Whitehead, Hickory
WR – Dillon Benson, Eisenhower
WR – Cody Smith, Harbor Creek
WR – Braeden Soboleski, McDowell
TE – Luke Petergol, Conneaut
OL – Weston Phanco, Wilmington
OL – Jacob Chimiak, Wilmington
OL – Gary Satterwhite, Farrell
OL – Mario Fontanazza, Oil City
OL – Jaheim Bassham, Cathedral Prep
APB: Cole Toy, Reynolds
DEFENSE
DL – Justin Fagley, Oil City
DL- Dominic Foote, Meadville
DL – Rocco John-Daniello, Reynolds
DL – Cole Bish, Northwestern
DL – Mario Fontanazza, Oil City
LB – John David Campbell, Cathedral Prep
LB – Zach Martin, Grove City
LB – Rocco Iacino, Hickory
LB – Anthony Jackson, Farrell
LB – Zac Kiefer, Oil City
DB – Dakota Cole, Oil City
DB – Rashawn Tate, McDowell
DB – Marrick Bauer, Harbor Creek
DB – Dreyvin Livingston, Reynolds
DB – Owen Trumbull, Eisenhower
ATH – Justo Rivera, McDowell
Specialists
K – Preston Runser, Northwestern
P – Trenten Wheeler, Cambridge Springs
KR – Seth Fuller, North East
