2022 Fabulous 22

November 24, 2022

It is as much of a Thanksgiving tradition in Western Pennsylvania as turkey, stuffing and gravy. The very first Fabulous 22 appeared in the Post-Gazette on Thanksgiving Day 42 years ago, and the all-star team has become one of the biggest honors a WPIAL or City League player can achieve. There’s a good chance a player from this year’s Fabulous 22 will make the NFL. From 1980 through 2016, there has been at least one future NFL player on every Fab 22 team except one (1997). Some have gone to be Pro Bowl selections and win Super Bowls, including Penn Hills’ Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams last year. Nine former Fab 22 picks were first-round draft picks in the NFL. Many others went on to have highly successful college careers, and a few are in the College Football Hall of Fame.

The Fabulous 22 is picked among players in the WPIAL and City League. It is selected by the Post-Gazette scholastic sports staff, with the help of high school coaches around the district.

Quinton Martin

RB-DB | Belle Vernon

6'2", 205 lbs. | Junior

The scoop:
Ranked No. 29 junior in the country by Rivals.com. Martin impacts a game on offense and defense. Has rushed for 1,094 yards on 115 carries, caught 25 passes for 353 yards and scored 26 TDs. Also has three interceptions.

Jordan Mayer

DE-TE | Thomas Jefferson

6'5", 210 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Rated among top defensive ends in eastern part of the country. Three-year starter who had 41 tackles and five sacks this season. Caught 20 passes for 252 yards.

Rodney Gallagher

QB-WR-DB | Laurel Highlands

5'11", 175 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Four-year starter finished career with 6,263 yards offense (3,014 passing, 890 receiving on 56 catches and 2,359 rushing). This year, completed 93 of 167 for 1,272 yards, rushed for 690 yards on 146 carries and caught 13 passes. Three-time Post-Gazette Fabulous 5 selection in basketball.

Cadin Olsen

QB | Armstrong

6'5", 225 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Finished career as one of the most prolific passers in WPIAL history. Threw for 7,819 yards, seventh-best in WPIAL history. Also had 95 TD passes (fourth-best). This year, completed 200 of 319 for 3,210 yards (12th-best in WPIAL history) and also rushed for 461 yards. Had 9,281 career yards offense, including 1,462 rushing.

Bobbie Boyd

RB-DB | McKeesport

5'9", 175 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Two-way standout for McKeesport. Rushed for 1,164 yards on 163 attempts and scored 15 touchdowns. Also intercepted seven passes, including three in one game. Rushed for 2,709 yards in two seasons.

Cole Sullivan

TE-DE-LB | Central Catholic

6'3", 200 lbs. | Junior

The scoop:
Became one of the best junior defensive players in the WPIAL. Long and athletic player who is a good pass rusher, as well as good against the run. Also caught 14 passes for 268 yards for WPIAL Class 6A finalist.

Cruce Brookins

QB-DB | Steel Valley

6'2", 185 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Big-play artist who has led Steel Valley to WPIAL Class 2A championship game. Has rushed for 1,456 yards on 107 attempts (13.6-yard average) and scored 31 touchdowns. Also thrown for 690 yards and intercepted five passes on defense.

D.J. Walker

WR-DB | Aliquippa

6'1", 175 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Talented player on offense and defense for team that has won 23 consecutive games and made it to a WPIAL championship for the 15th consecutive season. Has caught 32 passes for 584 yards (18.3 average) and scored six touchdowns. Has 27 tackles and two sacks. Also excellent in pass coverage and has five interceptions.

Jayvin Thompson

WR-DB | Central Valley

6'2", 185 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Thompson has shined on offense and defense for Central Valley, which has won three consecutive WPIAL titles. He has five interceptions this year and 20 for his career. This season, he also has caught 37 passes for 683 yards and rushed for 96 yards.

Keyshawn Morsillo

QB | Westinghouse

6'3", 188 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
One of the main reasons City League member Westinghouse has enjoyed so much success the past three seasons. The Bulldogs are 12-0 and Morsillo has completed 90 of 188 for 2,234 yards, and also has rushed for 652 yards on 63 attempts.

Ryan Cory

OG-DT | Pine-Richland

6'4", 280 lbs. | Junior

The scoop:
Considered one of the best junior offensive linemen in the state. Helped Pine-Richland win a WPIAL Class 5A championship. Also a good run stopper on defense.

Khiryn Boyd

WR-DB | North Allegheny

5'10", 165 lbs. | Junior

The scoop:
Boyd came to North Allegheny from Bakersfield, Calif., in eighth grade, and turned out to be a big factor in the Tigers’ WPIAL Class 6A championship three years later. Team’s leading receiver with 40 catches for 700 yards (17.5 average) and has 12 TDs. Also has rushed for 278 yards on 20 carries and leads team in interceptions with six.

Dallas Harper

WR-DB | Gateway

6'1", 185 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
A player who had an impact on offense and defense for Gators. Led Gateway in receiving with 36 catches for 495 yards and also scored seven touchdowns. Was also one of the team’s top defensive players and intercepted seven passes.

Luke Lawson

WR-DB | Seneca Valley

6'3", 205 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Was fourth-leading receiver in WPIAL during regular season with 55 catches for 627 yards. Also scored 11 touchdowns. Caught 91 passes in two seasons. Also an excellent defensive back who had two interceptions this year.

Landan Stevenson

RB-LB-DB | Mapletown

5'11", 180 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Finished his career with 5,993 yards, ninth-best in WPIAL history, and 102 touchdowns (fifth-best). This season, had 2,342 yards rushing on 224 carries and set WPIAL regular-season scoring record with 285 points. Also caught 10 passes this year and completed 5 of 6 passes for 154 yards for a Mapletown team that finished regular season undefeated for first time since 1968.

Gavin Moul

RB-LB | Bethel Park

6'1", 217 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Intense, rugged two-way player for team that made the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals. Rushed for 649 yards on 113 attempts and caught 18 passes. Scored eight TDs. A force on defense with 45 unassisted tackles and 16 tackles for loss.

Bret FitzSimmons

RB-LB | Central Valley

5'11", 185 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Younger brother of 2021 P-G Player of the Year Sean FitzSimmons, Bret has made a name for himself this season. Has rushed for 1,605 yards on 141 carries (11.4 average) and scored 30 touchdowns. One of the team’s top defensive players with 72 tackles.

Ryan Palmieri

QB-DB | Pine-Richland

5'10", 175 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Was switched from running back to quarterback after the fourth game, and the move changed Pine-Richland’s season. The Rams were 1-3, but haven’t lost since Palmieri moved to QB and won the WPIAL Class 5A title. Now has 1,497 yards rushing on 227 carries and has completed 50 of 72 for 558 yards. Also one of team’s top tacklers.

Tyree Alualu

RB-LB | North Allegheny

5'11", 215 lbs. | Junior

The scoop:
One of the leaders of North Allegheny’s defense. Has 52 tackles for WPIAL team that won the WPIAL Class 6A championship. He also has 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Has rushed for 264 yards on 50 carries. His father, Tyson, plays for the Steelers.

Braylan Lovelace

RB-LB | Leechburg

6'3", 200 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Lovelace did everything for Leechburg in his career and finished with 4,170 yards on 471 carries. He helped the team to back-to-back postseason appearances. Finished with 1,369 yards rushing and scored 29 total touchdowns this season.

Tikey Hayes

RB-DB | Aliquippa

5'11", 185 lbs. | Sophomore

The scoop:
Only sophomore on the Fab 22. Has rushed for 1,669 yards on 200 attempts and scored 28 touchdowns. Has 3,415 yards in his career. Was Pennsylvania Class 4A Player of the Year last year as a freshman.

Aidan Besselman

WR-DB | Upper St. Clair

6'2", 190 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Two-way standout for WPIAL Class 5A runner-up. Caught 41 passes for 817 yards and 10 of those catches went for touchdowns. Had 38 tackles, including 7.5 for losses. Also intercepted three passes.