Three State College Players Named to All-State Football Team

Three State College Area players and one Bald Eagle Area player were among the Pennsylvania Football Writers All-State Football selections announced this week.

For the Little Lions, senior wide receiver Noah Woods, senior offensive lineman Will Swope and senior linebacker Pete Haffner were named to the Class 6A team.  Bald Eagle junior defensive lineman Rilee Bechdel was named to the Class 4A team.

State College finished the season with a 10-2 record and a District 6 championship, falling to Williamsport in the opening round of the PIAA Playoffs.

Woods finished his senior campaign with 1,003 yards receiving on 37 catches, averaging 27.1 yards per reception. Nearly a third of his receptions went for touchdowns as he finished with 12 scoring catches.

Haffner recorded 86 tackles — 53 solo — and 5 sacks in 2016. He finished his career with 280 total tackles, 15 sacks, an interception and four fumble recoveries. On the offensive side of the ball in 2016, Haffner rushed 113 times for 545 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Swope was a force along the Little Lions’ offensive line, helping to key an efficient scoring offense that registered 162.1 rushing yards per game. He will continue his career at Cornell.

Bechdel led the way for the Eagles’ defense in 2016, notching 59 tackles and 10 sacks as a junior defensive end.

Players committed to Penn State who made the All-State Teams include:

Class of 2017

– Lamont Wade, RB/DB, Clairton (1A Player of the Year)

– CJ Thorpe, OL/DL, Pittsburgh Central Catholic (6A)

– Damion Barber, DL, Harrisburg (5A)

– Desmond Holmes, OL, Springfield Cardinal O’Hara (4A)

Class of 2018

– Chris Bleich, OL, Plymouth Wyoming Valley West  (5A)