The 50: Meet the GameTimePA top 10, plus 40 more to watch this season

Who are the best football players in central Pa.?

Here's our selections for the 50 to watch in the GameTimePA coverage area — York, Adams, Franklin and Lebanon counties.

It wasn't an easy list to compile. Many of the top players from last year graduated and there are plenty of voids to fill.

Here's our top 10 — followed by 40 more to watch this season.

10. Idriz Ahmetovic, New Oxford, sr. QB/DB/K

He was probably one of the most underrated players in the league last season — but he'll likely be hard to ignore this fall. Ahmetovic was perhaps the league's top corner last season, picking off seven passes and bringing one back for a score. He also served as the team's punter and kicker and contributed at times on offense. But those contributions will only grow this season. He's set to be the Colonials starting quarterback and has the capabilities to be a dual-threat star.

9. Michael McMonigle, York High, sr., OT

The 6-foot-6, 290-pound left tackle will be the leader of an offensive line that will need to open holes for some new players this season. McMonigle helped York High rack up 450 yards and 45 points per game last fall, but the Bearcats no longer have the services of quarterback Sam Stoner and running back Jahiem White. A Maryland commit, McMonigle will be much-needed experience to a young team.

8. Dain Strausbaugh, Red Lion, sr., RB

There's no doubting Strausbaugh's talent. The only question will be whether the 5-foot-8, 155-pound running back can stay healthy. Strausbaugh has suffered broken collarbones the past two seasons but has been dynamic when on the field. Last season, he was injured in the fourth game of the season but returned for the final two. In five and a half games, he rushed for over 700 yards, compiled over 1,000 all-purpose yards and scored eight touchdowns. He has game-changing speed and will be the key for a Lions team hoping to improve from a 4-6 mark.

7. Aiden Schomp, Cedar Crest, sr., TE/DE

Another player who wasn't always healthy last season but has elite talent. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound Schomp played eight games last year and caught 22 passes for 294 yards and four touchdowns. He also plays defensive end. But colleges have noticed his talent. Schomp has Division I offers from Penn, Colgate, Maine, Sacred Heart.

6. Thomas Smyser, Dover, sr., WR/CB

Another player who probably went under the radar last season because he played in YAIAA Division II instead of Division I. In 12 games, he caught 59 passes for 1,170 yards and nine touchdowns. He also racked up nearly 500 return yards and was a playmaker at corner back — intercepting four passes and making 61 tackles. He helped lead Dover to a bounce back 9-3 season that included the program's first playoff win in nine years. The 5-foot-10 senior will likely have opportunities to play college football and will be counted on heavily by a team looking to repeat last year's success.

5. Jake Williams, ELCO, RB, jr.

As a junior, Williams rushed for 1,824 yards on 203 carries — averaging nine yards per attempt — for an ELCO team that finished 4-6. The 5-foot-11 running back with 4.49 speed had five games with over 200 yards last season, including a 318-yard, five-touchdown performance in a win over Octorara.

4. Michael Scott, Dallastown, jr., WR/ATH/CB

Don't be surprised if he's higher up this list by midseason. The 5-foot-9 Scott has as much talent as any player in the YAIAA. That's why Temple, Maryland, Toledo, West Virginia and Cincinnati have already extended him scholarship offers. He just needs to have his breakout season. Scott has played varsity since his freshman season and finished last year with 29 catches for 359 yards and two touchdowns. However, he was the second receiving option on a team with Pittsburgh commit Kenny Johnson and was also used on defense and special teams. Expect him to once again line up all over the field — and perhaps in multiple spots in the backfield — and get the ball as much as possible.

3. David Warde, York High, jr., WR/DB

The 6-foot-1 Warde was the league's biggest breakout star last season. People entered last year expecting Jahiem White to carry the Bearcats while Sam Stoner searched for a go-to receiver. But Warde filled the role immediately. He had five games with over 100 yards and finished with 63 catches for 933 yards and 10 touchdowns. He's already earned an offer from Charlotte and will likely rack up more opportunities. First, he'll need to keep his production consistent with a new quarterback throwing him the ball this fall.

2. Michael Hershey, Spring Grove, sr., OT/DE

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Hershey is a beast. That might not be an eloquent description, but it's accurate. The University of Maryland commit has incredible quickness for someone his size and a nonstop motor. He used those strengths to rack up 59 tackles and eight sacks while doubling as arguably the league's best offensive tackle last season. His leadership will be heavily relied on for a Spring Grove team coming off a 5-5 season with its third head coach in three years.

1. Juelz Goff, Central York, sr., RB

Goff's season last year would've made him a prime contender for Player of the Year most seasons. However, Jahiem White produced at a level few local players ever have. But that shouldn't overshadow what Goff accomplished for the Panthers. The 5-foot-9 tailback was a true workhorse — running the ball 195 times for 1,611 yards. He added 335 receiving yards for 31 total touchdowns. Most importantly, he helped Central York remain a dominant program (10-2 record) despite graduating a tremendous senior class. He'll have to do that once again this year, but the Pittsburgh commit has proven he's up for the task.

YAIAA 100: Here are the seniors, juniors and sophomores we can't wait to watch in 2023-24

Other players to watch

Domenic Grove, Central York, sr., LB

Trevor Wentz, Central York, sr., G

Carter Vaughn, Central York, sr. DB/WR

Saxton Suchanic, Central York, jr., DB

Kyle Groman, Central York, sr., LB

Matthew Parker, Central York, jr., K

J.J. Kelly, Chambersburg, jr, WR

Rhaigeon Parker, Chambersburg, sr., WR

Jalen Cook, Dallastown, jr., WR/S

Brady Dettinburn, Delone Catholic, sr., RB/LB

J.D. Seig, Delone Catholic, jr., OL/DL

Dominic Giraffa, Delone Catholic, sr., LB

Gage Zimmerman, Delone Catholic, RB/DB, sr.

Denver Ostrum, Delone Catholic, sr., QB

Aric Campbell, Dover, sr., QB

Brayden Zirkle, Dover, sr., LB/TE

Zach Townsend, Dover, sr., LB

Parker Funk, Greencastle-Antrim, sr., OL/DL

Logan Alvey, Greencastle-Antrim, sr., QB

Joey Wilkinson, Hanover, sr., WR

Jayden Stanfield, Hanover, sr., RB/LB

Zyan Herr, Littlestown, sr., WR

Brennan Holmes, New Oxford, sr. WR

Micah Smith, New Oxford, sr., OT

Luke Shaffer, Northern Lebanon, sr. LB

Elijah Hewitt, Northeastern, jr., RB

Konnor Reeser, Northeastern, sr., QB/ATH

Nizeah Mummert, Spring Grove, RB/WR, sr.

David Czapp, Spring Grove, so., C

Cowan Ruhland, Spring Grove, sr., QB

Ayden Wysocki, South Western, sr., DT

Joe Fuller, Susquehannock, jr., WR

Michael Fox, Susquehannock, sr., RB

Josh Pecunes, Susquehannock, jr., QB

Amani Bones, York High, so, RB/LB

Az-Zahir Upson, York High, sr., DL

Jakaii Joseph, York High, sr., DL

Jalen Walker, York High, sr., DL

Rylan Bratton, York Suburban, jr., QB

Jakhi Beatty, York Suburban, sr., WR

Matt Allibone is a sports reporter for GameTimePA. He can be reached at 717-881-8221, mallibone@ydr.com or on Twitter at @bad2theallibone. 

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: PIAA football: Top players in York, Adams, Franklin, Lebanon counties