The powers that be made one of the more obvious calls when they recognized Brandon Real as a first-team all-state running back in Class AAA. You could make a decent argument for him as player of the year, but I think they made the right call in picking Brian Baldrige, especially considering Thomas Jefferson won the state title.
There was another West York player that was not selected for either the first or second team who I believe deserves a spot: senior safety Blaine Fissel.
When Real went down with his collarbone injury in the playoffs, the West York defense continued to excel in the second half of the victory over Garden Spot to preserve the shut out and then held Manheim Central to only seven points in the district championship game, allowing the Bulldogs to win despite scoring only 13 points.
Fissel was the leader of that defense and deserves recognition for it, especially when you compare his numbers to some of the players that made the team.
Although Fissel played safety, a position where players aren't expected to rack up a ton of tackles, Fissel led West York with 101 tackles. He also nabbed three interceptions and recovered a team-high three fumbles.
Even if Fissel didn't do enough to warrant a first-team spot, which is debatable, I don't see a good reason why he should have been left off the second team. There are two defensive backs from District 3 that were selected to the second team: Jake Zeigler of Mechanicsburg and Kyle Fisher of Cocalico, the two teams the lost to Manheim Central before West York beat the Barons to win the district crown.
I couldn't track down any statistics for Zeigler (although I did find out that he shares a name with an MMA fighter), but Fisher's numbers were available and they just don't measure up to Fissel's stats. Fisher finished the season with only 50 tackles and two interceptions. Even if he was a superb pass defender, I don't see how he could beat out Fissel.
What do you folks think? Should Fissel have received all-state recognition? Does he belong on the first team or the second team? Utilize the comments section below to let your opinions be heard.
After seeing the comparison statistics, there is no reason that Fissel should have been passed up on the all-state squad. However, that begs to ask the question...was the reason Cocalico's Fisher's numbers were lower were because opposing teams scouted him well and knew not to go his way. For example, corner Nnamdi Asomugha of the Oakland Raiders is on the AFC starting Pro Bowl squad with only 1 pick (108 NFL players have more than 1 interception) and 40 tackles (123 have more than he does), but quarterbacks do not even bother to throw his way because of his tremendous talent.
Now, the NFL has much fewer teams so it is easier to see this comparison and see who in fact is the better player. I do not know how the all state teams are picked, but it is very hard to choose them, and to not go by who has the better numbers puzzles me even more (see the 2007 baseball player of the year Nick Shuman being picked over Mason Heyne...was it chosen by MVP or by the better stats). This is why sports is so great - the debate factor.
Another reason why Fisher might have gotten named 2nd team all state is his 1714 rushing yards on only 137 carries (12.51 avg). Fisher also scored 25 TD's. Now, I know it is a defensive position...but I'm sure this went a long way in naming him 2nd team all state.
The same goes for Zeigler of Mechanicsburg. He played QB for them and put up very solid numbers (58-95 827 yards, 11 TD's and only 2 ints). He also averaged 9 yards per carry.
Now, my question is, what were Fissel's offensive numbers? If I had to guess, they were not nearly as good as those two. That being said, they all 3 are very good defensively, and their offensive numbers could have been used as a tiebreaker...
what about that defensive end, Rinehart. He also led that team defense as well as offense. According to maxpreps he finished with 80 tackles and 9 sacks, to me thats pretty good numbers considering the defensive end that made first team, had 85 tackles and 11 sacks? I saw this kid play numerous times and he is one heck of an athlete too. In the district game Rinehart racked up 9 tackles and 2 sacks? Don't that was against the Manheim Magic..not putting fissel down but i believe there also some other plays on that squad that deserved some accolades. Other players i thought were Nate Jacobs and Campbell, that kid was all state last year. To me this is all politics.
if you guys are comparing fissel fishel and zeigler's offensive statistics then they should be up for mention for respectivly receiver, running back, and qb (which for all three is obviously not the case). this article is debating DEFENSIVE back, and looking at the statistics, fissel CLEARLY has much much much more impressive numbers than the other two, not to mention the fact that both cocalico and mech lost to manheim who wy beat in the district final. and if you were to throw offensive stats in their, when real fissel was the second leading reciever behind jacobs in catches and td's and when real fell out against garden spot he stepped into the running back position as well and came out of the DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP game with the player of the game award...hmmmm...?
i meant fisher sorry lol