Top tier
Pegg, Diamond, Layhue, Whyte earn all-state football honors
Albert Gallatin’s football team was an exception to the rule in 2025.
Independent football teams are usually considered struggling programs attempting to rebuild and don’t receive a lot of notoriety.
The Colonials, however, had one of the top teams in the area and put together an undefeated season at 10-0, drawing attention and grabbing headlines throughout the fall.
Albert Gallatin senior Adam Pegg can be added to that list.
Pegg was one of four local players named to the 2025 Pa. Football News (PFN) Coaches-Select All-State Team.
Pegg, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound senior, was selected for the Class 4A First Team as an Offensive Athlete.
Three other players were chosen to the Class 1A Team. California 6-5, 240-pound senior Noah Layhue and West Greene 6-2, 270-pound senior Colin Whyte were named to the First Team and Frazier 5-11, 215-pound senior Derek Diamond was selected to the Second Team.
Pegg ran for 1,014 yards and had 11 receptions for 375 yards, averaging 34.1 yards per catch. He was the area’s second-leading scorer with 150 points thanks to 24 touchdowns and three two-point conversions. He had 22 offensive TDs as well as one on a 90-yard kickoff return and one on a 30-yard interception return.
“All-state recognition hasn’t been common at Albert Gallatin, so seeing Adam named to this team is a huge moment for our program,” AG coach Drew Dindl said. “That fact that it’s voted on by coaches around the state tells you what his impact was.
“The best part about Adam is that he never chased the attention or spotlight. He wanted to win and he wanted his teammates to succeed, and they felt the same way about him.
“He’s always been a team-first kid who happens to be elite, and he’s raised the standard for what’s possible here at Albert Gallatin. I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
Pegg was recognized at the school board meeting on Wednesday for his accomplishment.
“I’m grateful and appreciative to be recognized,” Pegg said. “A lot of people don’t even look AG’s way because of the whole independent thing. I’m just happy to get me and my school some exposure.”
Pegg voiced pride at his team’s perfect season.
“Being undefeated is a good feeling, especially the fact it hasn’t been done here in such a long time,” he said. “You just have to put your head down and grind and trust the process, don’t question your coach, don’t argue with teammates, and you will be successful.”
Pegg intends to continue his football career in college and is still weighing his options.
Layhue set the Trojans’ record for sacks and was a key reason why California went 9-2, won the Tri-County South Conference championship and made the WPIAL playoffs. He was named to the First Team as a defensive end and also played offensive tackle.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” Trojans coach Ed Woods said of Layhue’s All-State honor. “He worked very hard last offseason to earn that award, and he hasn’t even touched his maximum potential yet.”
Layhue, who scored one touchdown with a 20-yard blocked punt return, will play in college at PennWest California.
“He should have a great career at California,” Woods said. “His work ethic and compassion for the game is what makes him special.”
Whyte is more known for his wrestling capabilities — he will attend Kent State on a wrestling scholarship — but was the leader of the Pioneers football team. He was chosen to the First Team as an offensive guard and also played linebacker.
“Colin’s been a guy that’s done everything we’ve asked of him,” West Greene coach Beau Jackson said. “He’s one of the hardest working kids I’ve ever coached. His strong work ethic and great attitude led to him becoming a dominant player for us.
“He’s moving on to wrestle at Kent State in the fall. Everyone at West Greene is looking forward to what the future holds for him.”
Whyte adds the All-State honor to the Jerome Bettis Leadership Award he and 10 other WPIAL and City League football players received, which includes in a $1,000 donation to the West Greene football program.
Diamond was named to the Second Team as a Running Back and also played linebacker for Frazier. He was the area’s leading rushing with 303 carries for 1,889 yards and its fifth-leading scorer with 118 points on 18 touchdowns and five two-point conversions.
Commodores coach Tony Battaglini said the honor reflects not only on Diamond’s success but the team’s as well.
“Receiving an all-state honor like this, especially for our program, where it was and how far it’s come in the course of a year, Derrick kind of embodied what we were all about,” said Battaglini, who drastically turned around a Frazier team that went 7-5 and won a WPIAL playoff game this past season.
“Derek worked hard all year. I stress to our kids pretty much everyday you get out of this sport what you put into it. Derrick never missed any workouts, he was there every single day doing everything we asked him to, hours upon hours at the school, even times when he didn’t have to be there.
“To be chosen as one of the best players in the state is a great honor for him. When your running back receives an honor like that, it’s reflects on your offensive line as well. That doesn’t happen without those five guys doing their job, too, so it’s kind of a team award also.”
Diamond is still undecided what college he will intend but intends to play football at the next level.
All four players, along with Southmoreland junior Dawson Wolfe and sophomore Jackson Mickens, were also among the Mr. PA Football Team awards’ Fabulous Fifty voting, Pegg in the Big School category and the rest in the Small School category. Pegg was the lone player to advance to the Tremendous Twenty-Five level. That group is whittled down to the Terrific Ten and then to the Finalists. Voting can be done at mrpafootball.com/mr-pa-football-awards-voting.