Top recruits for 2009

In the Aug. 4 edition of Sporting News, the national weekly announced the top recruits for 2009 by state. Pennsylvania ranked seventh of 10 and of the five names mentioned, none were from District 3.

The only two seniors from the western portion of the commonwealth come from the same school. Dorian Bell and Corey Brown, a linebacker and athlete, respectively, both hail from Gateway, a suburban Pittsburgh school in Monroeville. The duo have verbally agreed to join 2007 recruiting darling and former Jeannette quarterback Terrelle Pryor at Ohio State University.

The Gators, who went 11-1 last year, lost to eventual state champion Pittsburgh Central Catholic in overtime in the District 7 (WPIAL) final and were ranked No. 2 in the state by the Pennsylvania Football News in the final rankings.

SN's list of top 2009 recruits:

1. Dorian Bell, Gateway, linebacker, 6-foot-0/226 pounds, Ohio State

2. Eric Shrive, Scranton West, offensive line, 6-7/285, Penn State

3. Je'Ron Stokes, Philadelphia Northeast, wide receiver, 6-1/178, Tennessee

4. Corey Brown, Gateway, athlete, 6-1/180, Ohio State

5. Tom Savage, Cardinal O'Hara, quarterback, 6-4/217, Rutgers

SN's list of top high school football states:

1. California

2. Texas

3. Florida

4. Ohio

5. Louisiana

6. Georgia

7. Pennsylvania

8. North Carolina

9. Alabama

10. South Carolina