Jim Algeo needed 37 years to win a PIAA football championship. Maybe it's because that's about how often players like R.C. Lagomarsino come along.

After leading Lansdale Catholic to its first PIAA title, Algeo is The Associated Press Pennsylvania Class AA coach of the year and Lagomarsino, Algeo's workhorse running back, is the player of the year.

In their season to remember, the Grove City High Eagles put two players on the first team: defensive lineman Kent Uber and defensive back Jesse Alfreno.

The all-state team also includes Seton La-Salle's record-setting passing combination, a trio of offensive linemen headed to major college programs and one of the country's most highly rated defensive linemen. The team was selected through a statewide vote of sports writers and broadcasters.

Lagomarsino ran away with the player of the year honor, collecting more than twice as many votes as the runner-up, Kentucky quarterback recruit Bill Stull of Seton-La Salle.

Surpassing the 2,000-yard mark for the second straight year, Lagomarsino rushed for 2,488 yards and 31 touchdowns. He saved his best for last, scoring four touchdowns and rushing for a PIAA title game-record 353 yards in the Crusaders' 40-17 win over Grove City.

"I didn't think I had nearly that much. I figured I had 200 yards, maybe 250. When I found out I had 353, I was like, 'Oh my! What the heck?' I was pretty pumped," Lagomarsino said.

Algeo wasn't nearly as surprised.

"He has tremendous vision and toughness. Speed-wise, I've never coached anyone like him," Algeo said.

The 5-foot-11, 178-pound Lagomarsino had a 1,000-yard season just in the playoffs, getting 1,008 yards in four PIAA postseason games.

"At playoff time, you're more inspired, because you lose one game and you're out," he said.

For Algeo, just coaching this season was an accomplishment. A 68-year-old father of nine, including three football coaches, Algeo underwent quintuple bypass surgery on Feb. 10. He returned to coach his team to 14 victories and improve his career record to 252-147-5.

"I thought he was done coaching," fullback-linebacker Brian Cottone said. "I went and visited him in the hospital and he told me he'd be back in three months."

Algeo returned to coach Lansdale Catholic to its third District 1 championship and first trip to the PIAA finals.

"I didn't think he'd be back at full strength," Lagomarsino said. "Then, one day, I was 15 minutes late for a walk-through. He yelled so loud at me they could hear it all the way in the gym. But he's a great guy and a tremendous coach."

Lansdale Catholic has four players on the all-state team. Cottone joins Lagomarsino on the first team as a linebacker. Offensive lineman Mike Craig and linebacker Matt Moneta made the second team. Grove City, Greensburg Central Catholic, Tyrone and Seton-La Salle also placed two players on the first team.

Stull set a District 7 (WPIAL) record with 3,310 yards passing and 40 touchdown throws, while favorite receiver Carmen Connelly set a state all-classes record with 116 catches.

The first-team offensive line is nearly college-sized, with none of the players shorter than 6-foot-3 or lighter than 270 pounds. Haverford School's Will Barker has committed to Virginia, while Burrell's John Brown is headed to Pitt. Bishop McCort tight end Jose Cruz (6-5, 241 pounds) is going to North Carolina. Forest Hills lineman Ben Maderia makes the jump from the second team to the first team.

Littlestown's Brock Harner returns as a first-team wide receiver after catching more than 50 passes for a second straight season.

Harriton defensive lineman Callahan Bright headlines the defense. The 6-2, 315-pound Bright is considered the country's top defensive line prospect and a Top 5 overall prospect by several recruiting services. He is considering Florida State, Texas A&M and Purdue, among others.

The defense includes Lakeland linebacker Joe Tuzze, Tyrone linemen Terry Tate and Greensburg Central Catholic lineman Alex Karabin, specialist Tommie Campbell of Aliquippa, Mount Carmel defensive back Drew Letcavage and Athens punter Cory Raupers. Raupers averaged 37 yards per punt, caught 41 passes, rushed for more than 400 yards, kicked six field goals and intercepted seven passes.

Karabin, Tate, Tuzze and Raupers made the second team last season. Tuzze is an Akron recruit.

Aliquippa defensive back Mike Washington highlights the second team and is one of three Quips on the all-state team. Greensburg Central defensive back Nick Sukay is the only sophomore on the first team after intercepting 11 passes, despite not starting until his team's third game.