The 2021 Second Annual Willie Thrower Award Ceremony
The 2021 Willie Thrower Award Ceremony was held on April 9, 2022 at the New Kensington Quality Inn in New Kensington, Pennsylvania.
Ceremony Photo Gallery
Using the WTAF Award selection process, ballots were submitted by coaches and media members who selected the following six finalists for the 2021 Second Annual Willie Thrower Award:
2021 WTAF Finalists
Caden Olsen
JUNIOR - QUARTERBACK
ARMSTRONG HIGH SCHOOL
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Accomplishments:
• Offer from the University of Pennsylvania
• HSFA Academic All-American Selection
• National Honor Society
• PA All-Academic Selection with a 4.48 GPA
• PA Writers All State QB (2020)
• PA Prep Rivals All-State QB (2020)
• Tribune Review WPIAL All Star Team
• Fab 22 Selection
• 2x All-Conference QB
• MaxPreps PA player of the week (wk 2)
• Tribune Review Football Player of the week (wk 9)
• Preseason All-State Max Preps QB
• Preseason PA Writers All-State QB
• PA Prep Rivals Sophomore Qb of the Year (2020)
• WPIAL Regular Season Passing leader (2020)
• School Passing records for single game TDs, single game Yards, single season TDs, single season yards. Career TDs and career yards.
• 2X first team all Big 56 in 5A basketball.
• Tribune Review Basketball Player of the wk. (wk 6)
• 2x Elite 11 invitee
• Rivals/Wilson QBX Invitee
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Jaren Brickner
JUNIOR - QUARTERBACK
BEAVER FALLS HIGH SCHOOL
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Accomplishments:
• Passing yards: 2579 - Second in WPIAL
• Touchdown passes: 25 -Third in WPIAL
• Rushing yardage: 428 yards; 8 touchdowns
• Combined passing and rushing yardage: 3007 yards
• Combined passing and rushing: 33 touchdowns
• Three-year letter winner in football
• Three-year starting quarterback
• 2021 MAC All-Conference Quarterback
• Beaver County Times Top 22 Football All-Star
• 2021 2A All-State Quarterback PA Writers Association
• Led the Tigers to the WPIAL Championship Game two consecutive years
• Set Beaver Falls High School single-season record for passing yards
• All-time leading passer in Beaver Falls High School history
• All-time leading quarterback in Beaver Falls High School history with 24 wins
Brad Birch
SOPHOMORE - QUARTERBACK
GATEWAY HIGH SCHOOL
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Accomplishments:
• Jeannette 1A Freshman Season 1,643 Yards & 30 TD’S
• Gateway 5A Sophomore Season 2,615 Yards (Lead WPIAL) & 32 TD’S
• 2 Year Total = 4,258 Yards Passing & 62 Passing TD’S. 10 Rushing TD’S.
• 1A All State as a Freshman,. Max Prep Freshman All American Team.
• Big East Conference 1st Team. 5A All State as a Sophomore
• Division 1 Offers from Oregon & Akron.
• Interest from Penn State, West Virginia, Ohio University.
• Trains with 2/Tenths Coach Greg McGhee & Coach Adam Demichele along with Coach Don & Donnie Holl at Gateway.
• Plays for 412 Elite 7 on 7.
• Started playing Football at age 5 with the Jeannette Midgets where they won 4 Championships in 6 years. At age 11 he guided the team to an undefeated season and finished 3rd Nationally in the 1st National Football Tournament held in Canton Ohio losing only 1 game to the eventual National Champions from Georgia.
• Played at Woodland Hills in 8th Grade & had an Undefeated season & won a Championship.
• Won a 1A WPIAL Title his Freshman Season at Jeannette becoming the 1st Freshman ever to start at QB in the history of the school.
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Joey Daniels
SENIOR- QUARTERBACK
MT. LEBANON HIGH SCHOOL
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Accomplishments:
• 2x Team Captain
• 2021 PA 6A State Champions: 15-0
• 2021 6A WPIAL Champions
• Big 33 All Star Game Selection - representing PA against Maryland
• PA Football Writers 6A All-State Team
• PA Coaches 2nd Team All-State Team
• Big 56 First Team All-Conference
• TribLive First Team All-Conference
• Post Gazette First Team All-Conference
• Preseason TribHSSN 25 All Star Team
• Postseason TribHSSN 25 All Star Team
• Elite 11 Regional Invitee
• 3 Rivers Broadcasting Co-Player of the Year
• Senior Stats: 112/189 for 2,118 yards, 31 TDs, 4 rushing TD, 1 receiving
• Finished career as LEBO’s all-time leading passer in yards, completions and touchdowns
• TribLive Player of the Week - State Semifinals - 6 passing TD’s
• 3-year starter for the Varsity Baseball Team
• Recipient of prestigious LEBO alumni award - Dan Howard “Mr. Football” award
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Devin Whitlock
SENIOR - QUARTERBACK
BELLE VERNON AREA HIGH SCHOOL
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Accomplishments:
• 2021 - 64-96-2 int - 9 TDS- 1023 yards, RUSHING - 109-1189 10.9 yards per carry, 27 total touchdowns
• 2020 - 35-76-3 int - 6 TDS-528 yards, RUSHING - 101-1082. 10.7 yards per carry, 21 total touchdowns
• 2019 - 2-3-0 int -1 - TDS - 6 yds, RECEIVING - 22/291 13.2 yards per reception, RUSHING - 66 Carrie’s 507 yds. 7.7 yards per carry, 10 total touchdowns
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