AK Valley high school football players to watch for in Week 8 of 2024

From: Michael love

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 | 7:48 p.m

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Player of the week

Darian Nelson

Plum, Sr., WR/DB

The Mustangs were looking for a spark after a difficult three-game stretch that included losses to Pine-Richland, Penn-Trafford and North Hills. Nelson provided that boost last Friday against Fox Chapel, carrying the ball eight times for 153 yards and two touchdowns, catching two passes for 20 yards and also completing all four of his pass attempts for 79 yards in a 49-10 victory of the Northeast Conference over Fox Chapel on senior night at Mustangs Stadium. The win kept Plum (2-6, 2-2) alive in contention for one of the conference’s automatic playoff spots.

Players to watch

Vinny DeFelice

Knoch, Jr., WR/DB

DeFelice caught six passes for 146 yards and a touchdown in a 38-14 win over Hampton. His 66-yard TD catch gave the Knights a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

Prince Govan

Riverview, Jr., WR/DB

Prince was a king on Saturday as Riverview had a field day with a 55-20 Eastern Conference victory over Frazier at Riverside Park in Oakmont. Govan helped lead a solid defensive effort for the Raiders (3-4, 2-3). His first-quarter interception return for a touchdown, one of four picks Riverview recorded on the day, was one of three first-quarter scores en route to a 35-14 halftime lead.

Logan Thies

Highlands, fr., LB

Thies made an important contribution to the defense in his university debut. He made a team-best 11 tackles in the Golden Rams’ 61-0 win over Burrell last Friday in Allegheny 7 Conference play. This season, Thies has made 43 stops, good for second on the team, and has three sacks, which is a team high.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. The Clearfield native and Westminster (Pennsylvania) graduate joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at [email protected].

Tags: Highlands, Knoch, Plum, Riverview