Lutz, Ruoss lead Berks picks on All-State teams

The 2017 Pennsylvania Football Writers/Broadcasters All-State Teams were announced Dec. 17 and 18.

Berks County had its share of representatives, led by a quartet of Berks Catholic players and two from Gov. Mifflin.

PIAA Class 4A semifinalist Berks Catholic had senior running back Cooper Lutz, junior linebacker Brandon George, junior defensive lineman Luke Painton and senior offensive lineman Matt Hughes named to the 4A team.

Gov. Mifflin placed senior standout fullback Isaac Ruoss on the team, along with senior offensive lineman Ben Gates in Class 5A.

In 6A, Wilson senior running back Iggy Reynoso and Boyertown senior defensive back Jerry Kapp were selected. Manheim Township quarterback Luke Emge, formerly of Fleetwood, was also chosen. Wyomissing’s De’Shaun Wilson repeated as a defensive back pick in Class 3A.

Lutz (6-foot, 194-pound) was named Offensive Back of the Year in Berks Football League Section 2 after rushing for 1,525 yards and scoring 31 touchdowns.

George (6-4, 235) was chosen Linebacker of the Year in Section 2. He had 66 tackles and four interceptions.

Painton (6-7, 220) was named Berks Defensive Lineman of the Year and had five sacks. Hughes (62, 210) was chosen Section 2 Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Ruoss ran for a Mustangs’ single-season record 1,789 yards and 29 touchdowns while keying Gov. Mifflin’s biggest wins, over District 3 6A champion Manheim Township and defending PIAA 5A finalist Harrisburg in the District 3 5A playoffs. Gov. Mifflin won Berks Section 1, made the District 3-5A title game and finished 11-2.

Gates was a three-year starting guard and was named Berks Offensive Lineman of the Year. Gates and company allowed Mifflin to average 250 yards rushing per game and nearly 40 points per game.

Reynoso was selected for the second straight year after setting Berks career records in rushing yarsd (4,778), touchdowns (79),

points (474) and rushing touchdowns (67). The former Hamburg student-athlete ran for 1,557 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior for the Bulldogs.

Kapp led Pennsylvania with 11 interceptions on the season, bolstered by a four-interception game against Phoenixville in Oc- tober.

(Kirk Neidermyer - For Digital First Media) Berks Catholic’s Cooper Lutz and Matt Hughes receive the trophy from a PIAA official after winning the PIAA District III AAAA Football Championship at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey on Friday, November 24.