HS Football: 7 area players named to PFN Coaches Select Class A All-State Team
Aaron Sinko, Nativity football
Dawgs’ Gemberling; Nativity’s Mason, Sinko, Shimko; Marian’s Dixon, Rodino, Price honored
Seven Schuylkill League players were honored Tuesday morning by being named to the PAFootballNews.com Coaches Select Class A All-State Team.
Tri-Valley senior middle linebacker Cole Gemberling, Nativity cornerback Colt Mason and Green Wave punter Aaron Sinko were first-team selections on the 67-player squad, chosen through nominations and voting by more than 300 coaches state-wide.
Nativity defensive end George Shimko and three players from Marian — defensive tackle Dominick Rodino, cornerback Rory Dixon and defensive athlete Tyler Price — were named to the second-team defense.
“Very happy for Colt, Aaron and George,” Nativity coach Pat Mason said Tuesday. “All three of them are great kids with a great attitude and work ethic. Awesome to see our program get the recognition on the state level from other coaches.”
It’s the second All-State honor for Gemberling, who was also named to Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class A team. Gemberling had an area-best 178 tackles in helping Tri-Valley capture a second straight District 11 Class A crown.
Mason, Sinko and Shimko epitomized the grit and determination that Nativity played with on a week-to-week basis. The Green Wave finished 4-7, losing to Lackawanna Trail in the District 2/11 Class A subregional semifinals.
Mason did it all as Nativity’s quarterback, completing 20-of-87 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns while leading the Green Wave in rushing with 637 yards and nine TDs on 182 carries. Defensively, he compiled 56 tackles, one interception and three fumble recoveries, scoring a pair of defensive touchdowns. He also earned Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association Small School first-team honors at defensive back.
Shimko was a dominating fixture on both sides of the ball, recording 72 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six sacks from his defensive end spot.
Sinko was a punting machine for Nativity, punting a whopping 55 times in 10 games, averaging a booming 39.85 yards per punt. He had five punts land inside the 20-yard line, with a season-long boot of 60 yards.
“I’m so happy for him,” Pat Mason said of Sinko. “He works harder at being a great punter than any player I’ve ever coached. He’s got a great work ethic and an even better attitude. Very coachable. Couldn’t be happier for a kid.”
Rodino, Dixon and Price were leaders of a Marian defense that forced 24 turnovers (19 interceptions) and scored eight defensive touchdowns.
All three are underclassmen. Rodino had 83 tackles, while Dixon compiled 73 tackles and five interceptions. Price recorded 100 stops, 10 tackles for loss and five interceptions.
Dixon was also named to the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class A All-State Team. Gemberling, Shimko, Dixon and Price were selected to the inaugural T102 Sports Now Tremendous 33 Team.
Here’s a complete look at the PAFootballNews.com Coaches Select Class A All-State Team:
