The Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame recently announced this year’s Lehigh Valley Football Scholar-Athlete nominees.

One senior player from each of 34 high schools, along with players from six local colleges, will represent their teams at the event, which is slated for March 5 at 4:30 p.m. at the Best Western Hotel and Conference Center at the intersection of routes 22 and 512. This is its first year at this location after being held at Northampton Community Center in the past.

Salisbury senior Jacob Gibbons will represent the Falcons at the banquet. The tight end/wide receiver and outsider linebacker ranks in the top 15 percent of his class.

A two-sport athlete, Gibbons was a district medalist as part of the Salisbury track and field team in the spring of 2022.

Gibbons is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and High Honor Roll selection. He participates in the Key Club, Model U.N., Heart of a Champion Program, G.I.V.E. (Get Involved, Value Everyone), and No Place for Hate. He volunteers with the Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital Board Game Collection, Allentown’s Central Elementary School, Book & Biceps Program (read to Elementary students while leading a character and leadership talk), and the Animal Shelter Connection.

Gibbons plans to attend a four-year college to major in engineering.

The following is a list of this year’s scholar-athlete award nominees.

HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLAR ATHLETES

William Allen High School – Jharon Johnson

A defensive end and offensive guard, he ranks in the top 3 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He served as a team captain. He is a volunteer for Lehigh Valley Awesome Fest, and is active in his community.

Allentown Central Catholic High School – Griffin Patridge

An outside linebacker and wide receiver, he ranks in the top 19 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He earned All-State and First Team All-Conference defensive honors, while serving as team captain. He is the Student Government President, participates in various school sponsored clubs, and is the School Representative for the EPC Student Athletic Character Council.

Bangor Area High School – Ashton Kluska

A running back and linebacker, he ranks in the top 9 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and member of various school sponsored clubs. He participates in the Slater Family Network Yard Clean-Ups and some youth football clinics. He is active in his community.

Bethlehem Catholic High School – Mark Mulhern

An offensive and defensive tackle, he is in the top 28 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He is a member of various school sponsored clubs, and serves in a leadership role as a club officer. He participates in the St. Luke’s University Health Network School Outreach, and youth football camps. He earned All-State Honor Roll honors.

Catasauqua High School – Javier Sobrado

An offensive tackle and defensive end, he ranks in the top 12 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student. He is a member of various school sponsored clubs and/or activities. He served as a team captain. He is active in his community.

Louis E. Dieruff High School – Daniel Antar

A defensive and offensive tackle, he ranks in the top 19 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He served as a team captain and is a member of various school sponsored clubs. He helps his Church with food donated to the Salvation Army and serves as a volunteer coach for the Huskies youth basketball team.

East Stroudsburg High School North – Jordan Thompson

An outside linebacker, he ranks in the top 9 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He served as a team captain. He is a choir singer with his Church, where he also helps in fundraising events. He is active in his community.

East Stroudsburg High School South – Jakob Patrick

An outside linebacker and wide receiver, he ranks in the top 12 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student. He earned Second Team All-Conference defensive honors. He is a member of various school sponsored clubs. He volunteers with Special Olympics as a field day volunteer.

Easton Area High School – Austin Martellucci

A kicker and punter, he ranks in the top 6 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student, member of the National Honor Society, the Tri M Music Honor Society, and an EPFOA Leadership Award honoree. He is the Yearbook Editor, a member of various school sponsored clubs, and serves as a club officer. He participates in varsity volleyball, the Key Club, Class Play/Musical, Band Council, Band Drum Major, Jazzfest Stage Manager, and Wiz Kids Line Prep. He volunteers with the Easton Hero Squad, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Camp Invention, youth football coach, and serves as “Gold Out” Student Director for Childhood Cancer, while owning Martellucci Lawn Care.

Emmaus High School – Dylan Darville

A cornerback and wide receiver, he ranks in the top 9 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student, member of the National Honor Society, and the Principals Honor Roll. He earned First Team All-Conference offensive and defensive honors. He participates in varsity basketball, PALS Club Secretary, Gratitude Club Vice-President, Hornet Ambassador, and is President and Founder of the Disc Golf Club. He volunteers with the Da Vinci Science Center, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk, and Macungie Park.

Executive Education Academy Charter School – Mayson Terrell

A tight end and defensive end, he ranks in the top 9 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He served as a team captain. He is a member of various school sponsored clubs. He volunteers with his Church, and works performing lawn service.

Freedom High School – Owen Johnson

A linebacker, he ranks in the top 15 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He earned First Team All-Conference offensive and defensive honors. He has committed to play football at Harvard University. He volunteers building sets for the East Hills Theater Company and helps with youth football.

Jim Thorpe Area High School – Paul Rutledge

An offensive and defensive tackle, he ranks in the top 6 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He is a member of various school sponsored clubs, including serving as the Future Business Leaders of America President. He volunteers as a booster club football junior coach.

Lehighton Area High School – Luke Blauch

A tight end and defensive end, he ranks in the top 12 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and served as a team captain. He is a member of various school sponsored clubs, serving as a club officer, as well as being the School Newspaper Editor and Yearbook Editor. He is the Director of School Media, and does all the posts on @lehightontribe on Instagram.

Liberty High School – Jordan Bartholomew

A center, he ranks in the top 19% percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He earned Second Team All-Conference offensive honors and served as team captain. He participates in the BASD Mini-thon and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He volunteers as a youth girls’ basketball coach, community clean ups, baseball announcer, and as an ambassador of donations for Project of Easton food drive.

Nazareth Area High School – Devin Tavares

A cornerback, he ranks in the top 6 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He is a member of various school sponsored clubs, serving as a club officer, is a Class Officer, and participates in varsity track and field. He volunteers with his church as a Sunday School Teacher assistant, the Red Cross, a Blood Drive, Giving Tree, Nazareth Open House, a youth football camp instructor, and is a volunteer waiter for a local club.

Northampton Area High School – Carson Czarnecki

A fullback and linebacker, he ranks in the top 15 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and National Honor Society member. He earned First Team All-Conference offensive and defensive honors, and was named 2022-2023 EPC North Defensive MVP. He volunteers with the Parkettes, youth lacrosse, and is a youth football camp instructor.

Northern Lehigh High School – Ethan Karpowich

A fullback, tight end, and linebacker, he ranks in the top 6 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and served as a team captain, while being a four-year starter at linebacker. He is a Class Officer and member of various school sponsored clubs or activities. He plans to attend a 4-year university to study Engineering.

Northwestern Lehigh High School – Samuel John Mauro

A defensive end and tight end, he ranks in the top 3 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student, member of the National Honor Society, and the Science National Honor Society. He was a team captain and earned All-League Honorable Mention defensive honors. He is the Student Council Vice-President, participates in varsity baseball, the Interact Club, and is a member of the Science Olympiad Team. He earned an AP Scholar Award and is involved with the National Rural & Small Town Recognition Program.

Notre Dame High School – Mason Ludlow

A center and defensive tackle, he ranks in the top 3 percent in his class. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He earned First Team All-Conference defensive honors. He is a Class Officer and an officer in one of the various school sponsored clubs. He volunteers with the Miracle League, Safe Harbor Food Bank, and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Palisades High School – Kai Stiansen

A quarterback and safety, he ranks in the top third of his class. He is an Honor Roll student, and earned Second Team All-Conference offensive and defensive honors. He served as team captain, is a multisport athlete, and is a member of various school sponsored clubs. He volunteers at Camp Haycock, coaches at youth basketball and football camps, and is a camp counselor at his Church.

Palmerton Area High School – Kendall Robinson

A wide receiver and cornerback, he ranks in the top 24 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and serves as the Gridiron Club Secretary. He volunteers with Church food drives, the Booster Club Football Camp, youth basketball camp, Holiday Homecoming, and serves as a fair stand volunteer.

Parkland High School – Jack T. Harrison

A wide receiver and free safety, he ranks in the top 15 percent in his class. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He earned Second Team All-Conference offensive honors and served as a team captain. He volunteers with St. Luke’s Hospital, Parkland CARES, the Food Pantry, and NHS Tutoring.

Pen Argyl Area High School – Kristoffer Kessler

A running back and defensive end, he ranks in the top 12 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and earned First Honors all four years, grades 9 through 12. He served as team captain, participates in varsity wrestling and baseball, is a member of Student Government, and various school sponsored clubs. He volunteers as a football youth camp coach, is a Church alter server, and he plays guitar.

Phillipsburg High School – Dylan York

An offensive lineman, he ranks in the top 3 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and National Honor Society member. He is a Class Officer, Treasurer of the Key Club, and the Chess Club Social Media Coordinator. He is a member of various school sponsored clubs, and serves in a leadership role as a club officer.

Pleasant Valley High School – Oluwafeola Olaniyan

An outside linebacker and fullback, he ranks in the top 3 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and is a state qualifier in the Supply Chain Management test for FBLA. He earned All-Conference First Team offensive and defensive honors, while serving as a team captain. He is the Future Business Leaders of America Vice-President, Key Club Treasurer, and Red Cross Blood Drive Host. He has performed over 500 hours of volunteer work.

Pocono Mountain East High School – Owen Shaffer

An offensive guard and defensive nose tackle, he ranks in the top 15 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He is a member of various school sponsored clubs. He earned an AP Scholar Award and a Rural and Small Town Recognition Award.

Pocono Mountain West High School – Joseph Ewing

An offensive lineman and linebacker, he ranks in the top 3 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He served as a team captain, is an officer in school sponsored clubs, and is a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, where he received a Community Service Ribbon. He volunteers with the Food Pantry, the local American Legion, and the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail Clean-Up.

Salisbury High School – Jacob Ashton Gibbons

A tight end, wide receiver, and outside linebacker, he ranks in the top 15 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and High Honor Roll selection. He participates in the Key Club, Model U.N., Heart of a Champion Program, G.I.V.E. (Get Involved, Value Everyone), and No Place for Hate. He volunteers with the Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital Board Game Collection, Allentown’s Central Elementary School, Book & Biceps Program (read to Elementary students while leading a character and leadership talk), and the Animal Shelter Connection.

Saucon Valley High School – Tyler Pfizenmayer

A linebacker and running back, he ranks in the top 19 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and served as a team captain. He participates in varsity wrestling, and was a ember of the 2022 PIAA State Championship Wrestling Team. He was the 2022 District XI Wrestling Champion at 285 lbs. and a two time PIAA State Wrestling Qualifier. He was a member of the 2022 District XI Championship Baseball Team. He is a Miracle League Volunteer.

Southern Lehigh High School – Nicholas Ventresca

An inside linebacker and fullback, he ranks in the top 12 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He served as a team captain and was a member of various school sponsored clubs. He volunteers with Betty Lou’s Food Pantry, the Sassy Massey Foundation, Parkette Events, a youth football camp, and serves as a flag football referee.

Stroudsburg High School – Aiden Herman

A quarterback, he ranks in the top 3 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, Great American Rivalry Series Scholar Athlete, and nominee for the Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence. He served as a team captain, was the EPC Student Athlete Character Council Representative, and Aevidum Leader. He is a Lehigh Valley HealthCare Network Intern, 570 Sports Camp Coach/Referee, and a Little League umpire. He volunteers with the Salvation Army, Meals for Haiti, Church soup kitchen, AWSOM, Girls on the Run, Musikfest, and Common Threads.

Whitehall High School – Joseph Hahn

An offensive and defensive lineman, he ranks in the top 15 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and National Honor Society member. He participates as a member of various school sponsored clubs or activities. He volunteers as a youth football coach and is active in his community.

Wilson Area High School – Kenneth Steckel

An offensive and defensive lineman, he ranks in top 40 percent of his class. He is an Honor Roll student and served as a team captain. He participates as a member of various school sponsored clubs or activities. He attends Career Institute of Technology studying HVAC. He is interested in attending college to pursue a degree in Business. He volunteers as a youth football coach.

COLLEGE SCHOLAR ATHLETES

East Stroudsburg University – Anthony Capitini

An offensive lineman, he has a 3.85 GPA, majoring in Marketing, and has earned dean’s list and Athletic Director’s Honor Roll status. He is a four-year starter, has played all five offensive line positions, and was named to the 2021 All PSAC Team. He volunteers with the Salvation Army Red Kettle, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, is a member of the Community Soup Kitchen, and has worked for the Pocono Visitor’s Bureau. He enjoys reading, movies, video games, podcasts, and likes to perform stand-up comedy.

Kutztown University – Jerome Kapp

A wide receiver, he has a 3.84 GPA, majoring in Sports Management, and is currently in the MBA Program. He is a four time dean’s list student, graduating Summa Cum Laude in May 2022. He was a four time PSAC Scholar Athlete, three time D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awardee, and earned Second Team Academic All-American honors. He earned First Team PSAC honors in 2021 and 2022, his 2,190 yards receiving is tied for third best in KU history, and his 22 touchdowns is tied for fourth best in school history for wide receivers. He volunteers with the “Get in the Game” Bone Marrow Drive, the Kutztown Optimist Club Fools Run, Special Olympics, Kutztown Clean Up, and has been SAAC President for two years. His interests are faith, family, football, and friends.

Lafayette College – Dylan Crossen

A safety, he has a 3.63 GPA, majoring in Biology. He is a four time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll honoree, earned Lafayette College dean’s list honors, and is a member of the Tri Beta Honors Society. His interests include Legos and the Stock Market. He plans to attend Dental School after graduation.

Lehigh University – Jalen Burbage

A wide receiver and kick returner, he has a 3.41 GPA, majoring in Architecture. He was named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll his freshman and junior years, and was an Academic All-Patriot League honoree his senior year. He played in all 11 games as a wide receiver and kick returner both his junior and senior seasons. He was Lehigh’s third leading receiver this past season and the top kickoff returner averaging 22 yards per kickoff return, after averaging 23.1 yards his junior season.

Moravian University – Javier Espinal-Katz

A defensive end, he has a 3.60 GPA, majoring in Studio Art. He is a three time dean’s list student, member of the Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society, and the Kappa Pi Honor Society. His hobbies and interests are primarily photography. He is active in his community.

Muhlenberg College – Kevin Olifiers

A punter, he has a double major in Finance and Economics. He is a three time Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll honoree. He was the Mules punter for the entire 2019 and 2021 seasons. He ranked fourth in the Centennial Conference both of those years in punting average. In 2021 none of his punts were returned for positive yardage in the regular season, and 12 of his punts were downed inside the 20. He has also seen action at quarterback in a few games over his career.