Area players are named AP all-state

Ridley quarterback Steve Egee and linebacker Andrew Hodges, along with Central Bucks South running back Eric Reynolds, headline the The Associated Press Pennsylvania Class AAAA all-state football team.

Philadelphia Catholic League Red Division champion Roman Catholic, which isn't eligible for the PIAA playoffs until next season, landed defensive back Nick Moody on the first team and two players on the second team.

John Waller, who revived Ridley's program from a slump that began after longtime coach Joe McNicholas retired 11 years ago, was named the coach of the year following statewide balloting by writers and broadcasters.

Waller guided Ridley to a District 1 title after replacing his quarterback and top receiver from last season.

Reynolds led all Class AAAA rushers with 2,830 yards on 260 carries, an average of 10.9 yards per carry. He scored 38 touchdowns, 34 of them rushing, and recently committed to Boston College. His top blocker, Rob Kee, was a first-team lineman.

Egee, an outstanding basketball player, did not play football last year and was coaxed into playing by Waller. He responded by throwing for 2,007 yards in an offense that leaned more heavily on its running game.

Hodges doubled as Ridley's running back, gaining 1,709 yards and rushing for 25 touchdowns. He was the leading tackler on a team that yielded slightly more than six points per game.