Bios of the area's scholar-athletes to be honored on March 2 at the annual National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Lehigh Valley Chapter Dinner, which will feature Lehigh coach Andy Coen as the main speaker and will be held at the Northampton Community Center:
William Allen High School – James J. Davis
A 5’7” 158 lb. defensive back and wide receiver, he ranks 26 out of 609 students. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He participates in varsity basketball, is a member of the Students Against Destructive Decisions, and serves on the Lehigh Valley Conference Student Athletic Council. He volunteers with the New Jersey Special Olympics Basketball Camp, the Allen Basketball Camp, and Animals in Distress.
Allentown Central Catholic High School – Nicholas Andrew Lynch
A 6’1” 250 lb. offensive guard and noseguard, he ranks 29 out of 172 students. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. His community activities include Vacation Bible School, helping to decorate his church, and cleaning the church.
Bangor Area High School – Matthew Alan Pysher
A 6’2” 230 lb. center and defensive tackle, he ranks 23 out of 257 students. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He participates in varsity track and is a Student Government member. He is a member of the Leo Club, the Spanish Honor Society, and is active in the community.
Bethlehem Catholic High School – Marco Anthony Blasco
A 5’9” 200 lb. fullback and linebacker, he ranks 36 out of 194 students. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, Student Government member, and serves as the School Newspaper Editor. He is the Head of the Becahi Mini-THON Committee and serves on the LVIAC Sportsmanship and Character Council. Among his community activities is a summer service trip to Germantown, PA.
Catasauqua Area High School – Rhaine Alexander Sziy
A 6’1” 190 lb. center and linebacker, he ranks 16 out of 120 students. He earned All Conference honors, is an Honor Roll student, and National Honor Society member. He participates in wrestling, the Drama Club, the Debate Team, is a Student Government member, German Club Treasurer, and Student Council Activities Coordinator. He is active in his Church, a youth football coach, and the Sage Stauffer Memorial Soccer Tournament.
Louis E. Dieruff Area High School – Victor A. Bautista
A 5’9” 172 lb. linebacker and quarterback, he ranks 23 out of 442 students. He is an Honor Roll student, member of the National Honor Society, and served in the Gear Up Program for four years. He has served in the ROTC – Air Force since ninth grade and has been Captain for his junior and senior year. He is active in the community.
East Stroudsburg North High School – Jaelon Freeman Talley
A 6’2” 170 lb. wide receiver and defensive back, he ranks 54 out of 287 students. He is an Honor Roll student, Student Government member, and participates in choir. He volunteers as a Youth Camp Coach and the Bushkill Field Day. His community activities include serving the Salvation Army “Ring the Bell” Program and the Bushkill “Read Across Campus” Program.
East Stroudsburg South High School – Demetrius Tyler Lanier
A 6’ 185 lb. halfback and linebacker, he ranks 37 out of 372 students. He is an Honor Roll student and earned All Conference honors. He participates in varsity wrestling. He is active in the community.
Easton Area High School – Leonard Elliott Estephan
A 6’1” 210 lb. tight end and defensive end, he ranks 8 out of 614 students. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He has earned AP Scholar with Honors and is a member of the Spanish Honor Society. He is active in the community.
Emmaus High School – Christopher T. Schiermeyer
A 5’10” 200 lb. strong safety and wingback, he ranks 39 out of 604 students. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He is the President and Founder of the Pediatric Cancer Club, President of the Wellness/Fitness Club, and a member of the Spanish Honor Society. He is active in the community.
Freedom High School – Brandon Scott Gubich
A 5’8” 180 lb. fullback, he ranks 70 out of 474 students. He is an Honor Roll student, a member of the National Honor Society, earned All Conference honors, participates in varsity lacrosse, and the NHS tutoring program. His community activities include serving his Church Youth Group, volunteering as a student youth sports coach, and he works as a grocery store cashier.
Jim Thorpe High School – Michael Scott Rodgers
A 6’ 210 lb. center and defensive end, he ranks 23 out of 152 students. He is an Honor Roll student, enrolled in Dual Enrollment honors courses, participates in track and is a member of the powerlifting team. His community activities include serving as a Fire House Volunteer, a Carbon County Special Needs Student Volunteer, shoveling snow and cutting grass for the elderly, and he is active in his Church.
Lehighton High School – Max Daniel McCandless
A 6’ 205 lb. offensive tackle and guard, he ranks 15 out of 171 students. He is an Honor Roll student and participates in varsity basketball and track. He is a member of the Science Olympiad Team and serves as the Team Leader. He is an altar server and is active in his Church and community.
Liberty High School – Andrew Phillip Morgan
A 5’6” 165 lb. defensive back and running back, he ranks 90 out of 655 students. He is an Honor Roll student, football team captain, participates in varsity lacrosse as a captain, and is a Student Government member where he serves as Class President. He is a member of the Bethlehem Area Youth Council and the LVIAC Student Athletic Character Council. His community service includes volunteering with The Miracle League and he organized Liberty’s mentorship program for Special Olympic athletes.
Nazareth Area High School – Frank Frederick Sharo III
A 6’2” 210 lb. left tackle and middle linebacker, he ranks 54 out of 378 students. He is an Honor Roll student, member of the National Honor Society, a Class Officer, and earned Honorable Mention All Conference honors. He is a member of Student Government, serves on Student Council, and participates in varsity track. His community activities include volunteering for the Relay for Life program.
Northampton Area High School – Nicholas David Cook
A 6’1” 160 lb. quarterback and defensive back, he ranks 45 out of 418 students. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and earned First Team All Conference honors. He is a member of the SADD and DECA organizations, and French Club. His community activities include being a blood donor, an Alec’s Army staff member, a 40 hour famine volunteer, youth outreach events, and his Church Youth Group.
Northern Lehigh High School – Nicholas Tuller Buresh
A 6’6” 230 lb. offensive tackle and defensive end, he ranks 9 out of 136 students. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, earned Second Team All Conference honors, and participates in track. He is Vice President of both Student Council and the Debate Team, participates in Scholastic Scrimmage, SADD, and Spanish Club. He serves as the Student Coordinator for Riverstone Gift Exchange.
Northwestern Lehigh High School – Jacob Edward Nasarian
A 6’1” 190 lb. center and defensive end, he ranks 8 out of 184 students. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and earned Second Team All Conference honors. He participates in varsity baseball, the school musical, Drama Club, Ski Club, Key Club, SADD, Science Honor Society, and is chairperson of the School Blood Drive. He volunteers with the Slatington Food Bank, is a Mission Team member of his Church.
Notre Dame High School – James J. Federico
A 5’8” 165 lb. running back and linebacker, he ranks 8 out of 127 students. He is an Honor Roll student and National Honor Society member. He participated in the Notre Dame Mini Thon which is a dance marathon to benefit pediatric cancer. His community activities include the Midnight Madness Baseball Tournament to benefit Dream Come True.
Palisades High School – James Dean Donnelly
A 5’10” 180 lb. fullback and linebacker, he ranks 54 out of 162 students. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and earned Honorable Mention All Conference honors. He participates in varsity wrestling, is the Editor of the school newspaper, member of the French Club, and French Honor Society. His community activities include volunteering for field clean-up day and Gingerbread House making.
Palmerton High School – Austin Tanner Cook
A 5’6” 150 lb. wide receiver and linebacker, he ranks 27 out of 111 students. He is an Honor Roll student and participates in varsity baseball. He is a member of the Environmental Club. His community service activities include volunteering with Special Olympics and the Palmerton parade.
Parkland High School – Joshua R. Walmer
A 6’4” 250 lb. offensive tackle, he ranks in the top twenty percent of his class. He an Honor Roll student, earned First Team All Conference honors, and was selected to play for the Pennsylvania Team in the “Big 33 Football Classic”. He is a member of the PALS Club, FBLA, the Literary Magazine, and the Welcome Pack Club. For four years he has been involved with both Boy Scouts and the Youth Group.
Pen Argyl High School – Michael Samuel DePaolo
A 6’2” 210 lb. running back, linebacker, and punter, he ranks 26 out of 116 students. He is an Honor Roll student, earned Second Team All Conference honors, and Third Team Honorable Mention All State honors. He participates in varsity track, participated in the Penn State S.A.L.T. Leadership Conference, and is a member of the Principal’s 90 % Club. He is a volunteer youth coach and is active in his Church as an Altar Server.
Phillipsburg High School – Tyler Arlington Troxell
A 6’1” 175 lb. quarterback, he ranks 6 out of 434 students. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, earned First Team All Conference honors, and is a Mini Max Award Winner presented by the Maxwell Football Club. He participates in basketball, is a 4 year Student Council Representative, and is the Editor of both the school newspaper and yearbook. He is a Freshmen Orientation Guide, a Veterans’ Day Tribute Volunteer, a Scoring Points for Kids participant, and summer camp basketball counselor. He volunteers for Lauren’s First & Goal, Relay for Life, and is a Church Altar Server.
Pius X High School – Kyle Anthony Kokawski
A 6’2” 270 lb. center and defensive lineman, he ranks 8 out of 42 students. He is an Honor Roll Student and earned First Team All Conference honors. He participates in varsity baseball, is a staff member and the Editor of the yearbook. He is a member of SADD and serves as a Pro-Life Leader. He is active in his Church and the community.
Pleasant Valley High School – Brandon Leap
A 5’10” quarterback, he ranks 92 out of 444 students. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and earned First Team All Conference honors. He participates in basketball and track, is a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions, FBLA, is a Senior Day Liaison, and an Iron Bear participant. He volunteers for Angel 34, Special Olympics, the Salvation Army, is a Cystic Fibrosis Player participant, and Air Raid Academy and middle school youth coach.
Pocono Mountain East High School – Michael C. Mazza
A 5’8” 175 lb. fullback and defensive lineman, he ranks 78 out of 348 students. He is an Honor Roll student and earned Honorable Mention All Conference honors. He participates in varsity wrestling and is a member of the National Art Honor Society. His community activities include the Boy Scouts and he is active in his Church.
Pocono Mountain West High School – Amir Elijah Blair
A 5’8” 170 lb. running back and linebacker, he ranks 21 out of 453 students. He is a member of the National Honor Society and earned Honorable Mention All Conference honors. He participates in varsity wrestling and the Weightlifting Club. He volunteers as a bell ringer with the Salvation Army, and his active in the community.
Salisbury High School – Alex Robert Ververeli
A 6’ 210 lb. center and defensive tackle, he ranks 34 out of 147 students. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He is a member of the Model United Nations. He participates in Competitive Horseback Riding where he was a 14 – 17 Year Old Division 2013 National Champion. He is active in the community.
Saucon Valley High School – Thomas Christopher Misiak
A 5’10” 200 lb. offensive guard and defensive end, he ranks 37 out of 189 students. He is an Honor Roll student and earned Second Team All Conference honors. He participates in varsity baseball, FBLA, is the Committee Leader for the Mini Thon, and is a Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award recipient. He volunteers with Special Olympics, Cops for Kids, FBLA, Roadside Clean Up, and a youth football camp.
Southern Lehigh High School – Jacob Andrew Del Priore
A 5’8” 145 lb. wide receiver and strong safety, he ranks 12 out of 280 students. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, earned First Team All State and All Conference honors, and is a National Merit Scholar. He participates in varsity wrestling and baseball, is Treasurer of the Honor Society, Vice-President of the Libertarian Club, a member of the Key, Varsity, and Young Americans for Freedom clubs. He is President of the Early Morning Seminary Class, volunteers with the Miracle League, Cops for Kids, Food for Friends, Pennies for Patients, and youth football camp.
Stroudsburg High School – Nicholas J. Bendixen
A 6’ 250 lb. guard and center, he ranks 116 out of 470 students. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the Varsity ‘S’ Sports Club. He is very active in his Church as a member of the Youth Group, and participates in trash pick-up, soup kitchens, and other church related events.
Whitehall High School – Nicholas R. Nejad
A 6’2” 210 lb. tight end and defensive end, he ranks 25 out of 349 students. He is a High Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and earned First Team All Conference honors. He participates in varsity track, served as a captain for both the football and track teams, is a member of the Key and Zephyr Pep clubs, and is a member of both the Math and Spanish Honor Societies. His community activities include involvement in the Big Brother/Big Sister program, volunteering with Special Olympics, and being a blood donor.
Wilson Area High School – Thomas S. Waters, Jr.
A 6’ 194 lb. offensive guard and defensive tackle/end, he ranks 81 out of 171 students. He is an Honor Roll student and participates in varsity track, the choir, and the class play/musical. He is a member of the Key and Weightlifting clubs. He is a student coach for youth football and is active in his community.
College Scholar-Athletes
East Stroudsburg University – Robert Bleiler
A 6’1” 205 lb. wide receiver, he has a 3.45 GPA majoring in Mathematics and Secondary Education. He was a Capital One Academic All-American honoree, a National Football Foundation Campbell Trophy semi-finalist, and a two time Division II Athletic Director’s Scholar Athlete. He earned All-PSAC East 1st Team honors, and for his career he had 153 receptions for 2,614 yards with 20 touchdowns. He is active with the SAAC Head Start holiday party, the Buddy Walk for parents of Down Syndrome children, and Special Olympics.
Kutztown University – Matt Connors
A 5’10” 210 lb. linebacker, he has a 3.43 GPA majoring in Leisure and Sport Studies. He is a Dean’s List member, a three time PSAC Scholar Athlete selection, a three year Student Athlete Advisory Committee Representative, and Newman Council Representative. He is a 4 year letter winner and member of the four year class with the most wins (32) in school history. He has volunteered with the Kutztown Special Olympics for three years and will serve on the 2014 Special Olympics Management Committee. He enjoys reading, traveling, coaching, and spending time with his family and friends.
Lafayette College – Brad Bormann
A 6’3” 292 lb. offensive lineman, he has a 3.8 GPA majoring in Biology with a minor in English. He is a five time Dean’s List student, Patriot League Academic Honor Roll selection, Capital One Academic All-American, and received the Lafayette College Maroon Club Scholar Athlete of the Year Award. He is a Student Leadership Intern, a Peer Mentor for Academic Tutoring, and member of Kaleidoscope SCOPE, and the Experience Lafayette Day Executive Committee. He has been accepted into the Teach for America Program and was awarded the Preminger Gerontology Research Scholarship.
Lehigh University – Cody Haupt
A 6’1” 200 lb. running back, he has a 3.66 GPA majoring in Supply Chain Management with a minor in Entrepreneurship. He is a Dean’s List student, an All Patriot League Academic Honor Roll selection, and earned the Supply Chain Junior Scholar Award. He enjoys water and snow skiing, reading Fortune magazine, and will be working for IBM as a Strategy and Transformation Consultant.
Moravian College – Julian T. DiGiacomo
A 6’1” 260 lb. offensive tackle, he has a 3.66 GPA majoring in Accounting. He has earned Dean’s List honors each semester, is a three time Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll recipient, and a member of the Accounting Club. He is active in his community.
Muhlenberg College – Chris Litzenberger
A 5’8” 173 lb. wide receiver and long snapper, he has a 3.76 GPA majoring in Accounting with a minor in Business Administration. He is a four year varsity letter winner, three time Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll selection, and was named Muhlenberg’s 2013 Football Scholar Athlete.
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