HS Football: Dawgs’ Gemberling, Colts’ Dixon named to PA Football Writers’ All-State Team
Tri-Valley's Cole Gemberling tackles a Nativity ballcarrier during Friday's win at Saint Clair Veterans Memorial Stadium (Photo by Jocelyn Barrett / Danie Mae Photography).
Tri-Valley’s Cole Gemberling and Marian’s Rory Dixon are foundation-type football players.
They lead by example on the field and serve as role models to their teammates off it with their hard work and determination.
Although both players excel on both sides of the ball, it was their play defensively this season that stood out.
Tuesday, they were honored for that defensive excellence by being named to the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class A All-State Team.
Gemberling, a 5-foot-11, 215-pound senior, was named at linebacker on the 43-player Class A squad, which was selected through nominations and voting done by sports writers and broadcasters from across the state, including T102 Sports Now.
Dixon, a 5-10, 178-pound junior, was selected at defensive back.
The Pennsylvania Football Writers will unveil their All-State teams in each of the six classifications over the next two days, three per day at specific times. Tuesday will be the Class A (8 a.m.), Class 3A (10 a.m.) and Class 5A (noon) teams. Wednesday, the Class AA (8 a.m.), Class 4A (10 a.m.) and Class 6A (noon) teams will be announced.
“It’s great for him. He’s a great kid. I think it’s well-deserved,” Tri-Valley coach Jeff Sampson of Gemberling’s honor. “He had a heck of a year for us on both sides of the ball, but mainly on defense.”
Gemberling led the area in tackles with 178 in helping Tri-Valley finish 7-5 and win a second straight District 11 Class A title. A linebacker on the inaugural T102 Sports Now Tremendous 33 Team, Gemberling also served as the Dawgs’ fullback, rushing 91 times for 515 yards and 10 touchdowns.
“He was all over the field,” Sampson said. “He’s a great kid. He’s going to go to the second level and play well. We’re proud of him.”
Dixon was Marian’s featured tailback on offense, rushing 193 times for 1,023 yards and 15 touchdowns as the Colts went 7-4. Defensively he shined at safety, leading the area with five interceptions while recording 73 tackles. He was named to the inaugural T102 Sports Now Tremendous 33 Team as a defensive back.
“As a coaching staff we always felt like Rory was trending toward being an All-State player and to see him realize that goal is exciting,” Marian coach Billy O’Gurek said. “His impact on the game defensively was evident from Week 1 when he had one interception and forced another with a deflected pass. His instincts in coverage and ball skills set him apart, and we counted on him to take our opponent’s top receiving threat every week.
“He’s a great representative for our football program and school, and we couldn’t be happier to see him recognized as an All-State player for his performance this season.”
