2023 Fabulous 22

November 23, 2023

The NFL leader in interceptions this season and a player tied for third are both former members of the Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 all-star team.

Former New Castle standout Geno Stone of the Baltimore Ravens leads the league in picks with six, and Central Valley grad Jordan Whitehead of the New York Jets has four. Maybe that shouldn’t come as a surprise because from 1980 through 2016, there has been at least one future NFL player on the Fab 22 every year except one (1997). Stone made the Fab 22 in 2016 and Whitehead in 2013-14.

The Fabulous 22 is a Thanksgiving tradition in Western Pennsylvania sports. The first Fab 22 was published in 1980. The team is picked by the Post-Gazette scholastic sports staff, with help from district coaches, and is made up of the top 22 players in the WPIAL and City League. Nine former Fab 22 picks have been first-round selections in the NFL draft. Many others went on to have highly successful college careers, and a few are in the College Football Hall of Fame.

This year’s Fab 22 is heavy on talented dual-threat quarterbacks and includes one sophomore.

Quinton Martin

RB-DB | Belle Vernon

6'2", 195 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Only ninth player to make the Fabulous 22 three times. Rated the No. 51 player in the country by Rivals.com. This season, has rushed for 927 yards (10.5 average), caught 39 passes for 609 yards and scored 33 TDs. Career stats: 3,528 yards rushing, 84 catches for 1,307 yards and 79 TDs.

Cole Sullivan

LB-WR | Central Catholic

6'3", 205 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
One of the best linebackers in the state. Tall and rangy, Sullivan had 70 tackles this season and three sacks and one interception. Also played receiver and caught 29 passes for 332 yards.

Ryan Cory

OG-DT | Pine Richland

6'4", 290 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
A finalist for the Bill Fralic Award, given to top senior interior lineman in the WPIAL. Future is on offense, but also was dominant at times on defense for WPIAL Class 5A finalist.

Tyree Alualu

RB-LB | North Allegheny

5'11", 220 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Son of a former Steeler, Alualu has been a two-way standout for WPIAL 6A champ. Has rushed for 793 yards on 83 attempts (9.4 average) and scored 15 touchdowns. Has 49 tackles, including six for losses. Rushed for 100 yards and forced two fumbles in WPIAL final against Central Catholic.

Julian Dugger

QB | Penn Hills

6'3", 195 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Four-year starter who had 4,984 career passing yards (321 of 624) and 1,939 rushing yards (439 attempts). Dual-threat QB led Penn Hills to Class 5A semifinals this season. Completed 101 of 192 for 1,646 yards and 20 TDs. Also ran for 776 yards on 126 attempts.

Cam Lindsey

LB-FB | Aliquippa

6'2", 205 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Hard-hitting linebacker who leads Aliquippa in tackles with 94, including 10 for losses. Has rushed for 227 yards for WPIAL Class 4A finalist. An all-section player in basketball last season.

Tiqwai “Tikey” Hayes

RB-DB | Aliquippa

6'0", 197 lbs. | Junior

The scoop:
Rated by Rivals.com as the No. 20 junior RB in the country. This year, has 1,645 rushing yards and 21 TDs. Has 5,372 career rushing yards, 17th in WPIAL history, and 77 TDs. Made Fabulous 22 last year as a sophomore. Was all-state as a freshman and sophomore.

Pete Gonzalez

WR | Central Catholic

6'3", 200 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Big-play receiver caught 47 passes this season for 1,081 yards (23.0 per catch) for WPIAL 6A finalist. Also scored 12 touchdowns. Caught 107 passes past three seasons.

Anthony Speca

LB | Central Catholic

6'3", 215 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Four-year starter at linebacker who broke school record with more than 300 tackles. This season, led team with 89 tackles, 17 for loss and five sacks.

Alex Tatsch

LB-RB | Latrobe

6'3", 210 lbs. | Junior

The scoop:
Rated a four-star linebacker by Rivals.com. Versatile linebacker who led team with 79 tackles. Also had four sacks and four interceptions and rushed for more than 400 yards.

Dayshaun Burnett

LB-QB-RB | Imani Christian

6'2", 200 lbs. | Junior

The scoop:
Versatile player who has a bright future as a linebacker. Rated the No. 14 junior outside linebacker in the country by Rivals.com. Also played RB and a little QB this year. Threw for more than 500 yards and rushed for more than 300.

Braylon Thomas

QB-DB | Union

6'1", 180 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Only the fifth QB in WPIAL history to throw for 2,000 yards and run for 1,000 in a season. Finished 135 of 219 for 2,077 yards and rushed for 1,201 on 181 attempts. In two years, threw for 3,279 yards and rushed for 2,667. Won a WPIAL Class 1A title last year.

Payton Wehner

QB | Central Catholic

6'0", 180 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Finished career as the 13th-leading passer in WPIAL history with 6,956 yards (473 of 747) and 71 TDs. This season was 173 of 253 for 2,945 yards and 36 TDs. Also rushed for 252 yards.

Jake Wolfe

QB | Montour

6'1", 185 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Terrific dual-threat QB who led WPIAL in regular season offense. Finished 148 of 246 for 2,662 yards and 31 TDs and rushed for 786 yards on 156 carries, good for 3,448 total yards. Three-year stats: Passed for 4,868 and ran for 1,426.

Brad Birch

QB | Gateway

6'1", 185 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
One of the most prolific passers in WPIAL history. Finished fourth on WPIAL all-time passing list with 8,496 yards and tied for third in career touchdown passes with 100. This year, completed 141 of 241 for 2,414 yards and 20 TDs and ran for 457 yards.

Zach Tomosovich

OT-NG | Penn-Trafford

6'5", 305 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
One of the top offensive linemen in the WPIAL, Tomosovich played a big role in helping Penn-Trafford establish a strong running game. Was dominant at times. Tomosovich also started on defense for the first time.

Jackson Pons

WR-DB | Norwin

6'2", 185 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
An offensive and defensive standout who was a three-year starter at Norwin. Had 86 career catches. This season, caught 34 passes for 588 yards and scored eight TDs. Had 84 tackles and two INTs. Had six INTs the past two years.

Khiryn Boyd

WR-DB | North Allegheny

5'11", 175 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Boyd missed some time early in the season with an injury but came on strong the second half and helped North Allegheny win second consecutive WPIAL title. Has 23 receptions for 577 yards (25.1 average). Returned two punts and one kickoff for touchdowns. Intercepted two passes on defense. Was all-state as a junior.

Matt Sieg

QB-DB | Fort Cherry

6'0", 170 lbs. | Sophomore

The scoop:
A sophomore sensation who has led Fort Cherry to its first WPIAL championship appearance since 2001. This year, is 63 of 110 for 1,338 yards and 18 TDs and has rushed for 1,785 yards. Has 28 tackles and two INTs on defense. In two years, has 6,326 yards offense (2,559 running and 3,767 passing) and has scored 66 TDs. Four-sport athlete.

Logan Kushner

QB | North Allegheny

6'1", 200 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Excellent dual-threat QB who helped team win WPIAL 6A title. Rushed for 240 yards in championship. Has completed 73 of 133 for 1,353 yards and rushed for 944 yards on 89 attempts. Has 4,237 career passing yards and 1,394 rushing yards.

Mickey Vaccarello

LB-TE | Peters Township

6'3", 210 lbs. | Junior

The scoop:
Developed into one of the top linebackers in the WPIAL. Is a stalwart for defense that allows only 7.6 ppg. Helped team win Class 5A title. Excellent pass rusher who has 10 sacks and 19 tackles for loss.

Jack Yatchenko

C-DL | North Allegheny

6'3", 285 lbs. | Junior

The scoop:
Started as sophomore and now is one of top two-way linemen in the WPIAL. First-team all-conference on offense but also has six tackles for loss this season. Exceptionally strong, benching 425 and squatting 475.