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PA players shine at Nike SPARQ combine

Written by: David Mika on Monday, February 21st, 2011. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

PHILADELPHIA – More than 840 athletes participated in the third Nike SPARQ combine at the NovaCare Center Sunday in Philadelphia.

Only 25 were good enough to make the All-Combine. The selections are based on combine performance and projected college recruitment. Athletes must complete two of the four combine test to be eligible.

PA players stood out over the weekend. Eight players from PA made it on offense and eight made it on defense.

Two players who won state titles this past year stood out on offense. Sophomore running back Dave Williams of West Catholic rushed for 181 yards and two touchdowns in the state finals. Junior wide receiver Kevin Gulyas caught 78 passes for 1,281 yards and 19 touchdowns. Both players will be top players to watch in Eastern PA in 2011.

On defense sophomore lineman Shakir Soto of GAR Memorial stood out. Last season he had 99 tackles (50 solo), 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks and caused three fumbles. He was named 1^st team Wyoming Valley Conference.

OFFENSE:

RB: Sharif Smith, 5-9 1/2, 170, Furness (Philadelphia, Pa.)

RB: Javon White, 5-9 1/2, 175, Souderton (Souderton, Pa.)

RB: Dave Williams (2013), 5-11 1/2, 179, West Catholic (Philadelphia, Pa.)

WR: Kevin Gulyas, 5-11 1/2, 171, Central Catholic (Allentown, Pa.)

WR: Shakur Nesmith, 6-3, 182, Imhotep (Philadelphia, Pa.)

OL: Daniel Johnson, 6-5, 263, East Stroudsburg (East Stroudsburg, Pa.)

OL: Chris Muller, 6-5 1/2, 289, Boyertown Area (Boyertown, Pa.)

ATH: Von Walker (2013), 5-10 1/2, 184, Central Mountain (Mill Hall, Pa.)

DEFENSE:

DL: Kavon Johnson, 6-0 1/2, 266, Plymouth-Whitemarsh (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.)

DL: Shakir Soto (2013), 6-2, 207, GAR Memorial (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.)