Gateway senior Rob Kalkstein shared an evening of football celebration Friday, as he and five other high school standouts from the region came together as finalists for the 2009 Mercury Award, presented by the Pittsburgh Athletic Association.

Joining Kalkstein were Hopewell sophomore running back Rushel Shell, Woodland Hills senior running back Dom Timbers, Pittsburgh Central Catholic sophomore running back Damion Jones-Moore, Canon-McMillan senior linebacker Mike Hull and West Allegheny junior running back Mike Caputo.

This year's award was presented to Caputo, who rushed for 2,615 yards and 38 touchdowns in leading the Indians to the WPIAL Class AAA title.

Kalkstein's credentials as a finalist included 2,256 yards passing this season, 26 touchdowns and only five interceptions.

He started all four seasons of his varsity career and led the Gators to three consecutive appearances in the WPIAL Quad-A championship game.

Kalkstein finished his career with 6,502 passing yards.

The 5-foot-8 signal caller has fielded interest from several college football programs, including those in the Ivy League.

Past Mercury Award winners include Steve Breaston of Woodland Hills and the Arizona Cardinals, Justin King of Gateway and the St. Louis Rams and Paul Posluszny of Hopewell and the Buffalo Bills.

Kalkstein also received good news last week, as he is one of four Gator seniors to earn recognition on a Pennsylvania sports writers Quad-A all-state team.

The Associated Press had announced that it wouldn't send out ballots for an all-state team or tabulate any of the votes because of budget concerns.

A group of sportswriters then decided to make a collective effort to compile an all-state team.

Kalkstein is on the second team as an all-purpose player. In addition to his quarterbacking duties, he also served as Gateway's main punter.

Brendon Felder, a North Carolina recruit, and Orne Bey, a Miami (Ohio) recruit, are on the first team as all-purpose players.

Fellow senior Dayonne Nunley, who also has given a verbal commitment to Miami (Ohio), is on the second team at defensive back.