As the 2024 WPIAL high school football season approaches, the Beaver County Times is kicking off its preseason coverage with a list of top players in the area. From Division I prospects, to all-state talents, there are an abundance of stars that will take the field on Friday nights in the Beaver Valley. Throughout this next week, The Times will be ranking the top 40 players in our coverage area. We continue our list with numbers 10-6.
No. 10. Elijah Palmer-McCane, Ellwood City
Position: RB
Graduation Year: 2025
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 190 lbs.
About: Palmer-McCane has been one of the WPIAL’s most productive back over the past two seasons and last year he put together another impressive season for the Wolverines as the team qualified for the WPIAL playoffs for the first time in over a decade. Palmer-McCane was dominating rushing for 1,485 yards on 238 carries, averaging 6.2 yards per carry and finding the end zone 16 times during his junior campaign. The rising senior also hauled in nine receptions for 146 yards finding the end zone twice through the air. Palmer-McCane was named to the Midwestern all-conference team last season.
No. 9. Steven Rutherford, Central Valley
Position: QB
Graduation Year: 2025
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 168 lbs.
About: Rutherford stepped in for Antwon Johnson after the senior graduated after the 2022 season and Rutherford impressed in his first season under center for the Warriors along with a strong supporting cast of linemen and skill players alongside him. In his first full season under center after getting limited reps during his sophomore and freshman campaigns, Rutherford broke out in 2023 completing 54 percent of his passes averaging over 13 yards per completion and 112 yards per game. The junior slinger finished with 1,347 yards through the air and 11 touchdowns while only throwing five interceptions. Along with his work in the aerial attack, Rutherford also got the job done with his legs finishing with 445 yards on the ground averaging 6.3 yards per attempt and finding the end zone 10 times last season.
No. 8. Roman Police, West Allegheny
Position: RB/DB
Graduation Year: 2025
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 180 lbs.
About: Police had a successful season on both sides of the ball during his junior campaign last year as the defensive back tallied 57 total tackles and six tackles for a loss in 11 games this past season. Along with those numbers, Police also logged four sacks throughout the season while also hauling in one reception on the season. Offensively, Police was also productive averaging five yards per carry rushing the ball 93 times for 462 yards and finding the end zone 10 times. The rising senior also had 61 yards receiving and one touchdown through the air on the season.
No. 7. Antonio Laure, Rochester
Position: RB/LB
Graduation Year: 2025
Height: 5-foot-8
Weight: 160 lbs.
About: Laure comes into the 2024 season for Rochester after a season-ending injury cut his junior campaign short last season. In his limited game action this past season, Laure appeared in three games recording five touchdowns. In 2022 he was named to the Big 7 Conference first team after rushing for over 1,300 yards and finding the end zone 23 times.
No. 6. Arison Walker, Aliquippa
Position: WR/DB
Graduation Year: 2025
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 170 lbs.
About: Walker put together an impressive season on the defensive side of the ball this past season as he forced eight interceptions throughout the season while also breaking up seven pass attempts during Aliquippa’s undefeated state championship run. He also recorded six touchdowns on the season while hauling in 19 receptions for 228 yards and two touchdowns.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: The Times' Top 40 Players in the Beaver Valley: 10-6
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