The top senior football student-athletes were recently honored at this year’s Lehigh Valley National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Banquet, held on March 6 at Northampton Community Center.

One senior player from each of 33 Lehigh Valley area high schools was nominated and three earned special awards. East Stroudsburg South quarterback Bobby Closky was named the big-school scholar-athlete winner, while Collin Quintano of Notre Dame-Green Pond was named the small-school scholar-athlete. Both players were awarded the Albert Beneck Memorial Scholarship. Salisbury senior Ben Krauss earned this year’s Edward Watto Community Service Award.

McClosky is a 6-1, 185-pound quarterback and safety who ranks sixth out of 344 students at East Stroudsburg South. He’s an honor-roll student, a member of National Honor Society and carries a weighted GPA of 5.335. He earned first team All East Penn Conference honors on offense and defense. He’s also involved in student government, DECA, varsity track, the choir and the class play. He volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse, sings in his Church choir, and performs with a local Theater Company.

Quintano is a 6-3, 200-pound quarterback who ranks in the top 10 percent of his class of 150 students. He’s an honor-roll student, member of National Honor Society and Cirricular Honor Society. His GPA is 3.9. He earned all-state recognition for his play. He also plays baseball and participates in FBLA and prom committee. He volunteers with the Miracle League and serves as a youth football and baseball coach.

A 5-foot, 10-inch middle linebacker and offensive lineman, Krauss posted a 4.0 grade-point average and ranks 12th in a class of 138 students. The honor-roll student is a member of the National Honor Society, is a yearbook staff editor and active with several other clubs and organizations including Heart of Champions, G.I.V.E., Team Leadership Council and Peer Mediation. He also volunteers with Lehigh Valley Children’s Hospital, Wounded Warrior Summer Games, TD’s against Cancer and Salvation Army and is a youth football and wrestling coach.

Krauss played Salisbury sports from youth leagues through high school. His varsity career came to an end one day before the scholar-athlete banquet when he competed in the PIAA Regional Championships for the first time in his career. He was a team leader on the football field and in the wrestling room for all four years of high school.

Ryan McDonnell represented Northwestern at the banquet. The 6 foot, 185-pound wide receiver and outside linebacker ranks 45th in a class of 192 students and carries a 95.1 percent GPA. He is an honor-roll student and a member of the National Honor Society and the Curricular Honor Society. McDonnell is also a member of the debate team and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He volunteers with his church, the Food Drive, and the Football Booster Club.

Here is this year’s list of Lehigh Valley Football Scholar-Athletes.

Allen

Faizan Ahmed Kamboh

A 5’3” 135 lb. wide receiver and cornerback, he ranks 29 out of 650 students. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society, with a GPA of 4.1.

Central Catholic

Peyton Chase Elliott

A 6’0 200 lb. inside linebacker, he ranks 94 out of 164 students. He is an Honor Roll student with a GPA of 3.4. He earned First Team All-Conference defensive honors.

Bangor

Kael James Godshalk

A 5’8” 170 lb. running back and strong safety, he ranks 4 out of 240 students. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society, with a GPA of 4.6929.

Bethlehem Catholic

Justin Kanyuk

A 6’6” 315 lb. offensive tackle, he is in the top 5 percent of his class of 177, with a GPA of 3.93. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He earned Second Team All-Conference honors in 2021, and was a First Team selection in 2020.

Catasauqua

Stewart Alexander J. Oakley

A 6’1” 289 lb. guard and defensive tackle, he ranks 30 out of 127 students. He is an Honor Roll student with a GPA of 3.07. He participates in varsity wrestling and track.

Louis E. Dieruff

Gregorio Julian Soto

A 6’1” 222 lb. defensive and offensive tackle, he ranks 6 out of 447 students. He is an honor Roll student, member of the National Honor Society, the Curricular Honor Society, and has a 4.711 GPA.

East Stroudsburg North

Andre Derek Weeks

A 5’10” 185 lb. running back and linebacker, he ranks 30 out of 227 students. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society, with a 4.6 GPA.

East Stroudsburg South – Robert G. McClosky

A 6’1” 180 lb. quarterback and safety, he ranks 6 out of 344 students. He is an Honor Roll student, member of the National Honor Society, and Curricular Honor Society, with a weighted GPA of 5.335.

Easton

Michael Aidan Hynes

A 5’10” 210 lb. linebacker, he ranks 29 out of 670 students. He is an Honor Roll student, member of the National Honor Society, and has a GPA of 101.16%.

Emmaus

Nicholas Michael Davidson

A 5’11” 225 lb. center and long snapper, he ranks 230 out of 713 students. He is an Honor Roll student, member of the National Honor Society, and has a GPA of 3.6675. He earned First Team All-Conference offensive honors.

Freedom

Braelin I. Moore

A 6’3” 290 lb. offensive tackle and defensive end, ranks 130 out of 455 students. He is an Honor Roll student and has a GPA of 3.91. He earned First Team All-State defensive honors and First Team All-Conference offensive and defensive honors.

Jim Thorpe

Keiran Daniel Mele

A 5’10” 155 lb. kicker, he ranks 15 out of 142 students. He is an Honor Roll student, member of the National Honor Society, Curricular Honor Society, and has a 3.9 GPA.

Lehighton

Gauge Clifford Hartney

A 6’1” 220 lb. offensive tackle/guard and defensive end, he ranks 25 out of 145 students. He is an Honor Roll student, member of the National Honor Society, and has a GPA of 3.86.

Liberty

Kyndred Sky Wright

A 5’7” 180 lb. running back, he ranks 28 out of 602 students. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and carries a GPA of 4.48.

Nazareth

Broc Edward Bender

A 6’3” 205 lb. tight end and linebacker, he ranks 169 out of 393 students. He is an Honor Roll student and has a GPA of 87.782%. He earned First Team First Team All-Conference offensive and defensive honors.

Northampton

Caden John Reph

A 6’2” 230 lb. tight end, he ranks 69 out of 475 students. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and carries a 4.05 GPA. He earned First Team All-Conference defensive honors.

Northern Lehigh

Trevor Jonathan Amorim

A 6’0” 175 lb. defensive back, tailback, and wide receiver, he ranks 15 out of 107 students. He is an Honor Roll student who has attained a 4.10 GPA. He participates in varsity wrestling and varsity track. He is active in his community.

Northwestern Lehigh - Ryan Allan McDonnell

A 6’0” 185 lb. wide receiver and outside linebacker, he ranks 45 out of 192 students. He is an Honor Roll student, member of the National Honor Society, the Curricular Honor Society, and has a GPA of 95.1%.

Notre Dame

Collin Michael Quintano

A 6’3” 200 lb. quarterback, he ranks in the top 10 percent in his class of 150 students. He is an Honor Roll student, member of the National Honor Society, and Curricular Honor Society, with a 3.9 GPA. He earned First Team All-State offensive honors and First Team All-Conference offensive honors.

Palisades

Michael Brian Wallbillich

A 6’2” 175 lb. punter, placekicker, and wide receiver, he ranks 18 out of 137 students. He is an Honor Roll student, member of the National Honor Society, and Spanish Curricular Honor Society, with a 3.97 GPA.

Palmerton

Lucas Lee Heydt

A 5’10” 180 lb. outside linebacker and skillback, he ranks 18 out of 114. He is an Honor Roll student and carries a GPA of 4.0917.

Parkland

Ty Matthew Tremba

A 6’0” 185 lb. quarterback, he ranks in the top 15 percent in his class of 742 students. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society, with a GPA of 4.03.

Pen Argyl

No selection made

Phillipsburg

Stephan Paul Gural

A 6’2” 200 lb. middle linebacker and tight end, he ranks 27 out of 400 students. He is an Honor Roll student and National Honor Society member, with a GPA of 4.0, out of 4.0. He has achieved Honor Roll status every semester.

Pleasant Valley

James Syracuse

A 6’0” 195 lb. inside linebacker, he ranks 53 out of 315 students. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and has attained a 4.0 GPA.

Pocono Mountain East

Jack Evan Holovacko

A 5’8” 190 lb. linebacker, he ranks 28 out of 300 students. He is an Honor Roll student. Member of the National Honor Society, Curricular Honor Society, and has a current GPA of 97.80%.

Pocono Mountain West

Michael S. Lawrence

A 6’1” 180 lb. wide receiver and defensive back, he ranks 73 out of 336 students. He is an Honor Roll student, a National Merit Scholar awardee, and has a GPA of 90.0%.

Salisbury

Benjamin Michael Krauss

A 5’10” 205 lb. middle linebacker and offensive lineman, he ranks 12 out of 138 students. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and carries a GPA of 4.0, or 97.70%.

Saucon Valley

Dante Paolo Mahaffey

A 6’0” 205 lb. quarterback and defensive back, he ranks 45 out of 192 students. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and has a GPA of 4.276.

Southern Lehigh

James Thomas Durham

A 5’7” 135 lb. wide receiver and defensive back, he has a GPA of 3.619 in his class of 280 students. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society.

Stroudsburg

Ethan William Sodl

A 6’0” 190 lb. quarterback, he ranks 13 out of 414 students. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and has a GPA of 4.0.

Whitehall

Bryce Bashore

A 5’10” 175 lb. wide receiver and safety, he ranks 45 out of 406 students. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and Curricular Honor Society member, with a GPA of 4.2. He earned All-Conference First Team defensive honors.

Wilson

Eric J. Shunk

A 6’4” 200 lb. tight end, wide receiver, and linebacker, he ranks 2 out of 172 students. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society, with a GPA of 115.579%.