A-K Valley football players to watch in 2023 Week 2

By: Michael Love
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 | 6:37 PM

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Player of the week

Aaran Randolph

Highlands, Sr., QB/DB

The Golden Rams moved to 2-0 on the young season with a 33-20 victory at Blackhawk last Friday. Highlands senior dual-threat quarterback Aaran Randolph collected 265 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries. A 10-yard scoring run broke a 13-13 tie in the third quarter. His third TD of the game tied a WPIAL record. After a defensive stop, his 99-yard sprint to the end zone extended the Golden Rams’ lead to 26-13. Through two weeks, Randolph owns 362 yards and four rushing scores on 26 attempts. He hopes for more big numbers Friday as Highlands takes on Chartiers Valley in its home opener.

Players to watch

Carlo Buzzatto

Riverview, Sr., RB/LB

The 1-2 running back punch for the Raiders has paid dividends the first two weeks of the season with wins over Beth- Center in Week Zero and Carlynton last Saturday at Riverside Park. Buzzatto’s power was on display in the 41-0 home win as he led the way with 181 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. He scored TDs on runs of 10 and 21 yards. Through two games Buzzatto owns 317 yards on 36 carries.

Colton Otterman

Freeport, Sr., HB/OLB

Already a heart-and-soul player and top tackler for the Yellowjackets defense, Otterman added a major role at running back in Freeport’s 47-0 victory over South Allegheny. As the Yellowjackets dominated in all three phases of the game, Otterman did his part offensively as he filled in for injured starter Justin Jack. Otterman carried the ball six times, and two of them went for touchdowns of 23 and 13 yards. He finished with 109 yards on the ground as Freeport evened its record at 1-1.

Zier Williams

Deer Lakes, Jr., RB/LB

The Lancers were balanced in their offensive attack Friday in a 33-0 home victory over rival Burrell. Williams ran the ball just three times for 21 yards in the first half, but he broke out in the second half, carrying the ball eight times for 100 yards. He broke off a 43-yard run to the Burrell 36 on the second play of the third quarter. His 19-yard TD run in the fourth quarter capped the Deer Lakes scoring. It was his first scoring run of the season.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Deer Lakes, Freeport, Highlands, Riverview