Explosive, high-octane offensive performances became a bit of a norm on the Pennsylvania side of the Big 30 border during the 2020 football season, and that came in large part through talented quarterback play.

Three signal-callers highlight this year’s OTH-Era All-Star Football Team for the Keystone State, led by Offensive Player of the Year, Smethport’s Noah Lent. He was joined on the team by St. Marys’ Christian Coudriet and Otto-Eldred’s Cole Sebastian. All three were nominated for Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Lent, a junior, led Smethport to a District 9 Small School North Division title, the Hubs’ second in three years, as well as Smethport’s second D9 Class A championship game appearance in that same span.

He completed 39-of-89 passes for 617 yards and 13 touchdowns and was picked off just three times this season. Lent also led his team in rushing with 813 yards and 11 touchdowns on 99 carries.

“I think you could tell from last year to this year that (Noah) felt more comfortable running our offense and had better command on the field,” Smethport coach Adam Jack said. “He saw the field better and did a great job for us as both a playmaker and a leader.”

With one year remaining at Smethport, and with the Hubs’ roster turning over a bit going into 2021, Jack says Lent will be expected to continue that growth.

“He’ll have a young cast around him, and he’ll be expected to help elevate their play as well as his own,” Jack said.

Lent was one of three Hubbers to earn the all-star nod on offense, as running back Braedon Johnson (115 carries, 633 yards, 5 touchdowns) and offensive lineman Adenn Stevens also made the team. Stevens earned Co-Lineman of the Year honors along with St. Marys’ Garrett Bauer.

“Braedon was a leader in every sense of the word. Academically, on the field and off, his leadership was unparalleled for us. He did everything we asked him to do and he did it at a high level,” Jack said.

There was perhaps no better example of that than during Smethport’s 14-0 win at Coudersport, when Lent exited the game early in the third quarter with an injury. That prompted Johnson to take snaps at quarterback as more of a wildcat back. He finished the game with 157 yards and both of Smethport’s touchdowns on 24 carries.

“What he did at Coudersport, people in our program will talk about that for a long time for stepping up the way he did. He and the offensive line put the team on their backs and carried us.”

Of Stevens, Jack mentioned, “I think he was the leadership of the offensive line, and you saw his growth this year as a leader… I’ve talked about it before, but Adenn had a special quality where he could get guys going but keep it light and fun and remind us we’re playing a game. And he was able to produce on the field.”

Coudriet, among the best passers in all of District 9 this season, completed 129-of-208 passes for 1,576 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also rushed for five scores this year.

He and Bauer, whom coach Chris Dworek described as the team’s “best lineman,” anchored a Flying Dutchmen squad that reached the D9 Class AAA championship game and finished 5-1. Dworek received Coach of the Year for his quick turnaround of St. Marys’ program in his two years at the helm.

Sebastian, who completed 117-of-194 passes for 14 touchdowns and rushed for 446 yards and seven scores, was joined by explosive receiver and Terror teammate Ethan Smith. Smith led O-E in receiving with 44 receptions for 558 yards and six touchdowns.

Of Sebastian, O-E coach Troy Cook said during the season, “I don’t know if you can say enough about him, honestly. Everybody knows what type of athlete Cole is, and he’s very reserved. But there’s just something that comes out competitor-wise.”

Joining Johnson at the running back position were Elk County Catholic’s Sam Kaul and Coudersport’s Brandt Kightlinger.

Kaul was the front end of a one-two punch the Crusaders featured at tailback this season, and amassed 781 yards and six touchdowns on 65 rushes. He also hauled in 11 receptions for 187 yards and five touchdowns and returned kicks. Kightlinger ran for 631 yards and five touchdowns on 96 carries.

Smith was joined at receiver by Port Allegany’s Trey Ayers, who caught 34 passes for 610 yards and four touchdowns. Rounding out the offensive line along with Stevens and Bauer was Elk Catholic’s Jake Parrish.

ECC coach Tony Gerg said of Parrish, “He’s very aggressive and consistent, despite being undersized. He puts out the most effort of any player on the team.”