Fredonia’s Jake Skinner (89) was selected to the Class C All-State First Team by the 2019 NY State Sportswriters Association as a linebacker. OBSERVER File Photo.

Fredonia’s Jake Skinner was known all year long as the star of the Hillbillies. His performance earned a D-1 FCS scholarship from Central Connecticut State University. Though colleges took notice of him as a tight end, it was Skinner’s defensive prowess that earned him a selection as a First Team All-State selection this week by the NY State Sportswriters Association for Class C.

This season, Skinner was in on 133 tackles, including 23 for a loss, six sacks, two forced fumble and five passes defended for the Hillbillies. Offensively, he caught 22 passes for 334 yards and a touchdown while rushing 28 times for 196 yards and two touchdowns.

Joining Skinner on the Class C All-State honors was Ryan Jafarjian of Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton, who earned Third Team All-State. He led Chautauqua Lake with 1,369 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns on 221 carries for the Thunderbirds this year.

In Class B, Dunkirk running back Christian Ortiz was named to the All-State Fourth Team. He led Dunkirk’s offense in total yards from scrimmage with 201 carries for 1,299 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was fourth in all of Section VI in rushing, behind Trae Hill of Pioneer (1,305), Jafarjian (1,369) and Tywon Wright of Southwestern (1,504).

Also in Class C, Southwestern placed running back Tywon Wright, tight end Conrad Thomas and defensive lineman Cooper Pannes were on the All-State First Team.

Wright ran 146 times for 1,675 yards and 25 touchdowns while also catching two touchdown passes en route to being named a Connolly Cup finalist. Defensively, he was in on 56 tackles including 13 for a loss, four sacks an interception and a fumble recovery.

Pannes was in on 58 tackles, including 26 for a loss, and 11 sacks while leading an offensive line that paved the way for 2,498 yards and 40 touchdowns on the ground as well as 1,857 yards and 26 touchdowns through the air.

Thomas caught six passes for 112 yards and four touchdowns, ran 22 times for 283 yards and five touchdowns, and was in on 71 tackles, including 19 for a loss, six sacks, a forced fumble and four fumble recoveries.

Southwestern quarterback Aidan Kennedy and linebacker Zishan Munir joined Portville running back Jayden Lassiter on the Second Team while Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton running back Ryan Jafarjian was named to the Third Team. Trojans lineman Drew Wigren was an Honorable-Mention selection.

For the two-time NY State Champion Clymer/Sherman/Panama football team, senior quarterback Gerrit Hinsdale and senior defensive end/wide receiver Cameron Barmore were named Co-Class D Players of the Year.

After winning their second straight Class D state title, six Wolfpack players were recognized on the First Team, one on the Second Team and three under Honorable Mention.

Hinsdale threw for 1,888 yards and 28 touchdowns against just four interceptions. He also ran for another 62 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Barmore was a threat on both sides of the ball. Defensively, the 6-foot-5 end was in on a team-high 90 tackles, including 55 solo and 37 tackles for a loss. He also led the team with 11 sacks and 10 hurries while forcing seven fumbles. Offensively, he caught 43 passes for 844 yards and 13 touchdowns

Joining them on the First-Team offense were wide receiver Zavon Overton, offensive lineman Lucas Rater, all-purpose player John Swabik and kicker Jordan Svetz.

Overton caught 32 passes for 447 yards and six touchdowns; returned eight punts for 240 yards and three touchdowns; and was in on 32 tackles defensively.

Rater led an offensive line unit that gained 2,166 yards on the ground and 1,967 through the air as Clymer/Sherman/Panama scored 432 points this season.

Swabik ran for 418 yards and two touchdowns; caught 24 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns; gained 306 yards on kickoff and punt returns; was in on 88 tackles, including 51 solo and 10 for a loss; and had four sacks, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries.

Svetz made 36 of 50 extra-point attempts and had three touchbacks on 64 kickoffs.

Running back Brendon Ramsey represented the Wolfpack on the Second Team. Clymer/Sherman/Panama lineman Alex Dunnewold, linebacker Connor Cooper and linebacker Zach Chase were all Honorable-Mention choices.

Two Maple Grove players were honored on the Eight-Man All-State team as offensive lineman Kyle Trim was a First-Team selection and wide receiver Ayden Reagle was an Honorable-Mention selection. Oakfield-Alabama/Elba quarterback Colton Dillon was the Player of the Year.