The Parkland football team had its best season since 2007. After an outright Eastern Pennsylvania Conference championship, a fourth straight District 11 Class 4A championship, and a berth in the PIAA Class 4A state title game, three Parkland players were named to the PIAA All-State team.

Seniors Noel Brouse, Devante Cross and Kenny Yeboah capped a successful final season in the red and gray with some individual accolades.

Brouse played on both lines and wreaked havoc along both. The 6-foot-5, 260 pound lineman helped pave the way for over 6,000 yards of total offense, helping for career years from Cross and fellow classmate and running back Erik DiGirolomo. On defense, Brouse recorded 50 tackles, including three for a loss, three sacks and two interceptions, with one being a pick-six in the PIAA first round at Wyoming Valley West.

“We had goals coming into the season, and we passed most of them,” Brouse said. “Obviously we wanted to win states, but winning another league and district title was great, and just being able to get to the state final and play a full season with this team was unbelievable.

“I felt like I got better as the season went on. I love playing football both ways. I want to be on the field 100 percent of the time. We had a few guys go down with injury, and that just motivated me even more to step up and play harder.”

Brouse considered it his duty and job to stop and protect. He stopped enough running backs and quarterbacks on defense, and protected his football and basketball teammate Cross on the offensive side of the ball.

With the size of Brouse in front of him, Cross had the time to make plays. And he made enough of them to win 14 out of 16 games, and rack up some video game-like numbers against opposing defenses.

As a dual-threat quarterback, Cross completed 201-of-345 attempts for 2,947 yards and 26 touchdowns. On the ground, he ran 216 times for 1,385 yards and 19 touchdowns.

“It was a memorable season, one I will never forget,” Cross said. “Everyone stepped up and we played as a team and became a family. I’m proud of the guys and what we did this year.”

Cross also played both ways, lining up as a defensive back for the first time since he was an underclassman.

Yeboah, who also played cornerback, did most of his damage on the other side of the ball. The 6-5, 217 pound wide receiver had a record-breaking year for Parkland, hauling in 72 catches for 1,160 yards and 14 touchdowns.

“This season was special,” said Yeboah. “A lot of people doubted us after the Liberty loss, but we kept fighting and moving forward and got better and better each week. It means a lot to be named All-State and I’m proud of that, but to have two teammates with me too is really exciting too. We went out with a bang. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the big prize. I’m proud of what we did and what we accomplished.”

Yeboah will be playing wide receiver at Temple University next season. Cross and Brouse are still weighing options, but both have been heavily recruited by Division I schools to play at their respective positions. Decisions for those two will be made closer to National Signing Day in February.