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If the lehighvalleylive.com All-Area Football first team is any indication, 2024 is going to be a rebuilding year.
Twenty-one of the 26 first-teamers are seniors, and only one underclassman is featured on the top squad.
The veteran group has a solid collection of Division I FCS talent, including five players who are staying local between Lehigh University and Lafayette College.
District 11 Class 6A champion Nazareth and PIAA Class 3A runner-up Northwestern Lehigh set the pace with four first-team selections apiece.
The All-Area team honors standouts from schools in Northampton, Lehigh and Warren counties, as well as Palisades in Bucks County, Palmerton in Carbon County and North Hunterdon, Voorhees and Delaware Valley in Hunterdon County.
The first, second and third teams contain 13 players on each side of the ball, with a general (but not ironclad) commitment to getting each position group represented adequately. Unlike most all-league teams, players only appear once here. Ideally, athletes are placed at their “best” position, but that’s secondary to recognizing the player at the right level.
Find all three teams and the honorable mention choices below.
First-team offense
QB: So. Peyton Falzone, Nazareth
The Blue Eagles sophomore led District 11 with 2,528 passing yards and earned an 11-2 record (he missed one game due to injury) in his first season as a varsity starter. Falzone, who stands at 6-foot-5, completed 171 of 280 attempts (61.1%) with 19 touchdowns against just four interceptions (two of which came against PIAA Class 6A winner St. Joseph’s Prep). He added 440 yards and 11 more scores on the ground for the District 11 6A champions.
ATH (QB): Sr. Matthew Machalik, Palmerton
Other position: DB
The Bombers senior became the first player in Pa. history to surpass both 5,000 rushing and 5,000 passing yards (6,055 passing, 5,457 rushing). He owns every passing and rushing record in school history. The QB led the area with 2,251 yards and 35 TDs rushing this fall. Machalik threw for 1,529 yards and 17 TDs. At safety, he set a single-season program mark with eight INTs. The three-time All-Area first-teamer and CLFCA Offensive MVP signed with Lehigh.
RB: Sr. Trey Tremba, Parkland
Other position: LB
The Trojans senior was a versatile playmaker for the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South Division champions. Tremba rushed for an EPC-best 1,844 yards and 25 touchdowns. He added 31 receptions for 408 yards and four scores. The senior also returned a punt for a TD. At LB, Tremba had 25 tackles, a pair of INTs and a fumble recovery. He was an EPC first-team choice on offense, defense and special teams. Tremba will play at Army West Point.
RB: Sr. Caden Henritzy, Northampton
Other position: LB
The Konkrete Kids senior was the offensive engine behind Northampton’s three straight Eastern Pennsylvania Conference North Division titles. Henritzy finished his career with a school-record 3,638 rushing yards. He had 1,240 yards and 18 touchdowns on 164 carries this fall, adding two TDs and more than 240 yards receiving. The senior made 56 tackles on defense. The two-time EPC North Division Offensive MVP signed with Stonehill College.
WR: Jr. Andrew Olesh, Southern Lehigh
Other position: DB
The Spartans junior emerged as one of the area’s top college prospects. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound receiver caught 53 passes for 973 yards and 10 touchdowns this fall for the 10-2 Spartans. Olesh registered 45 tackles, three interceptions, two PBUs and two fumble recoveries as a free safety. The junior was a CLFCA first-team pick on offense and second-team choice on defense. Olesh, who projects to be a tight end, has several Division I FBS offers.
WR: Sr. Damian Tyminski, Pen Argyl
Other position: LB
The Green Knights senior penned his name all over his program’s record book. He smashed school marks, finishing with 171 career receptions for 2,560 yards and 17 TDs. Tyminski, who set single-season program records in catches and receiving yardage last fall, had 62 catches for 744 yards and three TDs in 2023. He rushed for 464 yards and 12 TDs, and added 47 tackles and an INT on defense. The CLFCA first-teamer signed with Stonehill College.
WR: Sr. Mason Kuehner, Nazareth
Other position: QB, DB
The Blue Eagles senior was the only player in the LVL area and all of D-11 to have more than 1,000 receiving yards. Kuehner made 79 catches for 1,219 yards (2 yards off the school record) and eight TDs. He rushed for 209 yards and a TD. He added a pick-6 and returned a punt for a TD. The senior also quarterbacked a win in Week 10. His 2,894 career receiving yards are a Nazareth record. The two-way EPC first-teamer will play at Lafayette.
OL: Sr. Sammy Ayache, Bethlehem Catholic
Other position: DL
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Golden Hawks senior set the tone from the trenches for the District 11 4A champions. Ayache cleared a path for 1,000-yard rusher Jacob Sutton and provided protection to help Carter Vassa set a district freshman record in receiving yardage (792). On defense, he had a handful of sacks and forced a safety in the D-11 final. The senior was an EPC South Division second-teamer on offense. He’ll continue his career at Lehigh.
OL: Sr. Colby Reph, Northampton
Other position: DL
The 6-foot-1, 290-pound Konkrete Kids senior was a road grader for the champions of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference North Division. Northampton gained more than 2,600 rushing yards behind Reph. The Konkrete Kids outscored their opponents by a combined score of 496-120. The senior, who had 102 total tackles (18 TFLs) on defense, was an EPC North Division first-team choice on both sides of the ball. He’s headed to Lehigh.
OL: Sr. Colin Higgins, Phillipsburg
The 6-foot-1, 295-pound Stateliners senior was the bedrock of a very successful offensive line. Phillipsburg, which finished 10-2, accumulated 4,664 yards of total offense, including 2,918 yards on the ground. Higgins was the Outstanding Lineman of the P’burg’s 47-12 rout of Easton on Thanksgiving Day. The senior was named an All-State third-teamer, All-Group 5 first-teamer and Big Central American Silver Division Player of the Year by NJ.com.
OL: Sr. Ben Walters, Northwestern Lehigh
Other position: DL
The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Tigers senior was the lynchpin of an offensive line that paved the path to a PIAA 3A final appearance. With Walters up front, Northwestern gained 5,885 yards of total offense (compared to 3,061 by its opponents), including 3,723 rushing yards. The senior, who was a two-way CLFCA first-teamer, didn’t allow a sack in pass protection. On defense, he had 85 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
OL Sr. Russell Clark, Parkland
Other position: DL
The 6-foot, 255-pound Trojans senior, a decorated powerlifter, used that brawn to help push his team to an EPC South Division title. Clark battled at the line of scrimmage for an offense that gained 5,249 total yards and a defense that surrendered just 2,696 yards. The Trojans averaged 232.6 rushing yards per contest while earning a 12-1 record. Clark was an EPC South first-teamer on offense. He added 42 total tackles (eight TFLs) on defense.
K: Sr. Luke Myers, Allentown Central Catholic
Other position: P
The Vikings senior wasn’t afraid of the big moment, kicking two long, last-second field goals to deliver victories for his team. Myers booted a 51-yard field goal to send Central Catholic past Emmaus 17-14 and a 49-yarder to down Liberty 23-20. Overall, the senior was 8 of 13 on field goals during the regular season. He made 36 of 36 extra points this fall. Myers was the EPC South Division first-team kicker and punter. He’ll play at Villanova University.
First-team defense
DL: Sr. Jake Beidleman, Parkland
Other positions: TE
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Trojans senior was the top pass rusher on a team that made life very hard for opposing quarterbacks. Beidleman, a converted linebacker, was tied for second in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference with eight sacks. He made 43 total tackles, including 18 tackles for loss for Parkland, which allowed 11 points per game. The senior was an EPC South Division first-teamer on defense. He contributed a receiving TD on offense.
DL: Sr. Mario Landino, Emmaus
Other position: OL
The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Green Hornets senior played defensive end but had the tackling production of a free-roaming linebacker. Landino tallied 102 total tackles, including 20 TFLs and three sacks. He forced a fumble and blocked six kicks. The senior, who was an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South Division first-team pick at offensive tackle, was also named Defensive MVP. He’ll continue his career at Indiana University (Bloomington).
DL: Sr. John Wargo, Phillipsburg
Other position: FB
The 5-foot-11, 244-pound Stateliners senior is the type of hard-nosed athlete for which the Phillipsburg program is known. Wargo registered a team-high four sacks among his 22 tackles. He also had a 67-yard pick-6. Offensively, the senior took 129 carries for 1,014 yards (7.9 ypc) and 18 touchdowns. He added 145 yards and a score receiving. Wargo, an NJSIAA heavyweight medalist in wrestling, was an All-Group 5 second-teamer on offense.
DL: Sr. Sean Kinney, Nazareth
Other position: OL
The 6-foot-2, 297-pound Blue Eagles senior drew abundant praise from opposing coaches for the headaches he caused at the point of attack. Kinney totaled 90 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two blocked kicks for the District 11 6A champions. The senior was an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference first-team pick on offense and defense. He’s a three-time All-Area first-teamer and will play at Lafayette.
DL: Jr. Bryer Reichard, Northwestern Lehigh
Other position: OL
The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Tigers junior was a dominant force off the edge as Northwestern experienced the most successful season in program history. Reichard had 86 total tackles, including an area-best 10 sacks. He also snared an INT. The junior was named to the CLFCA first-team defense and second-team offense. Reichard had a great PIAA semifinal (12 tackles, 1.5 sacks) against Wyomissing while playing across from a Penn State recruit.
LB: Sr. Chad Beller Jr., Catasauqua
Other position: OL, RB
The Rough Riders senior once again served as the gritty leader from his team’s defense. Beller led all Colonial League tacklers for the second straight season. He made 165 tackles, including 26 TFLs (a school record) and three sacks. He forced three fumbles and recovered one. He’s Catty’s career leader in tackles (453) and TFLs (49). He was a CLFCA first-teamer on defense and third-teamer on offense. He also rushed for 178 yards and five TDs.
LB: Sr. Cade Sawyer, Southern Lehigh
Other position: RB
The Spartans senior provided game-changing production on both sides of the ball. He had 85 tackles, 11 TFLs, four interceptions (one pick-6), a sack and a forced fumble. As a tailback, he took 175 carries for 1,529 yards and 32 touchdowns. Sawyer added 190 yards and two scores receiving. He also returned a punt for a TD. Sawyer was a CLFCA first-team selection on offense and defense for 10-2 Solehi. He’s being pursued by PSAC programs.
LB: Sr. Dalton Clymer, Northwestern Lehigh
Other position: RB
The Tigers senior was the two-way catalyst behind a season that Northwestern fans will never forget. Clymer, the CLFCA Defensive MVP, totaled 131 tackles (six TFLs), two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was an offensive first-teamer, too, rushing for 1,910 yards and 31 touchdowns. He had 13 catches for 159 yards and four TDs. The senior finished with more than 4,100 career rushing yards and holds the school record for most TDs scored.
LB: Jr. Carter Troxell, Whitehall
Other position: RB
The Zephyrs junior followed his breakout sophomore campaign with another highly productive season. Troxell made 92 total tackles for the Zephyrs, who shook off a midseason lull to win the District 11 Class 5A championship. Troxell had one sack and returned a fumble for a touchdown. As a running back, he took 98 carries for 496 yards and five touchdowns. The junior was an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South Division first-team pick at LB.
DB: Sr. Logan Hilarczyk, Nazareth
Other position: WR
The Blue Eagles senior made some of the biggest plays of Nazareth’s District 11 Class 6A championship campaign. The senior grabbed five interceptions, including a game-sealing pick in the closing moments against Becahi. Hilarczyk forced three fumbles, including the turnover that clinched the D-11 title. He also had 75 tackles and 13 PBUs. The senior added 32 catches for 411 yards and two scores on offense. He’s drawing significant Division II interest.
DB: Jr. Eli Zimmerman, Northwestern Lehigh
Other position: RB
The Tigers junior turned into one of the most impactful players in the area and was an invaluable piece of Northwestern’s historic season. Zimmerman tied a program record with 10 interceptions to go with 57 total tackles, 11 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. Offensively, the junior rushed for 490 yards and six scores, and caught a pair of TDs. He also returned a punt for a score. He was a CLFCA first-team choice on defense.
DB: Sr. Nasir McLean, Allentown Central Catholic
Other position: DB
The Vikings senior was the steady veteran presence leading the Central Catholic defense. McLean made 32 tackles, a sack and an interception for the Vikings, who were 8-2 in the regular season. At wide receiver, he added 25 receptions for 344 yards and four scores. The senior, who served as the team’s punt returner, was an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South second-team selection at safety. McLean will continue his career at Brown University.
P (ATH): Sr. Josh Ludlow, Notre Dame
Other positions: RB, WR, DB
The Crusaders senior was a dynamic weapon for Notre Dame, and on rare occasions when the offense didn’t score, he punted. The senior averaged 38 yards per kick with five inside the 5-yard line. On offense, he rushed for 710 yards and 15 scores. The senior added 39 receptions for 662 yards and seven touchdowns. Ludlow, who was a first-, second- and third-teamer in different CLFCA all-star categories, had 73 tackles and two INTs as a defensive back.
Second-team offense
Sr. QB Luke Spang, Parkland
Sr. ATH (QB) Trey Dogmanits, Whitehall
Sr. ATH (QB) Danny Darno, Notre Dame
Sr. RB Jacob Sutton, Bethlehem Catholic
Sr. RB Jed Bendekovits, Nazareth
Jr. WR Matthew Scerbo Jr., Phillipsburg
Sr. WR Devon Hildebrand, Northwestern Lehigh
Sr. TE Anthony Ferroni, Warren Hills
Jr. OL Ryan Ellis, Freedom
Sr. OL Blaine Snyder, Northwestern Lehigh
Sr. OL Tony Pilla, Nazareth
Sr. OL Ben Mercado, Emmaus
Jr. K Will Buck, Emmaus
Second-team defense
So. DL Logan Anthony, Palmerton
Sr. DL Kaden Weaver, Whitehall
Jr. DL Braheem Battles, Allentown Central Catholic
Sr. LB Ty Sander, Palmerton
Sr. LB Dainn Vassallo, Notre Dame
Jr. LB Justin Peluso, Freedom
Sr. DB Kevin Burgess, Phillipsburg
Sr. DB Greg Campbell, Bangor
Jr. DB DJ Kelly, Allentown Central Catholic
Sr. DB Tristen Pinnock, Northampton
Sr. DB Connor Johns, Parkland
Jr. DB Jasir Frutchey, Easton
Jr. P (ATH) Jack Robertson, Saucon Valley
Third-team offense
So. QB Antonio Fontanez, Allentown Central Catholic
Jr. ATH (QB) Jett Genovese, Phillipsburg
Sr. RB Noah Pierre, Freedom
Sr. RB Brandon Kurzeja, Voorhees
Sr. RB Landon White, North Warren
So. WR Jake Pukszyn, Liberty
Sr. WR AJ Lozano, Notre Dame
Sr. TE Robbie Ruisch, Parkland
Sr. OL Zack Anthony, Palmerton
Jr. OL Jared Meck, Northwestern Lehigh
Sr. OL Jake Englehart, Nazareth
Sr. OL Jeff Bate, Delaware Valley
Sr. K (ATH) Jack Inglis, Southern Lehigh
Third-team defense
Sr. DL Jacob Weaver, Bangor
Sr. DL Owen Banghart, Nazareth
Sr. DL Peter Diaz, Easton
Sr. LB AJ Slivka, Northampton
Jr. LB Jared Rohn, Saucon Valley
Jr. LB Carlos Perez, Bethlehem Catholic
Sr. LB Dominic Pilla, Nazareth
Sr. LB Emilio Gonzalez, Palmerton
Sr. DB Jendel Sanchez, Parkland
Sr. DB Mike Coleman, Northampton
Sr. DB Cameron Bohal, Phillipsburg
Sr. DB Nolan Coen, Parkland
Sr. P (ATH) TJ Kachala, Warren Hills
Honorable mention
Allen: Sr. DB Jasius Weldon.
Allentown Central Catholic: Sr. OL/DL Nick Balisage, Jr. WR/DB Jareel Calhoun, Sr. OL Fynn McDonald, Sr. LB Luke Shimko, Sr. RB/LB Nate Schultz, Sr. DL Harry Stewart-Smith.
Bangor: Sr. RB/LB Noah Hillis, Jr. LB Tim McLain, Sr. OL/DL Parker Sandt, Sr. WR/DB MJ Siu.
Belvidere: Jr. QB Kyle Blew, Jr. LB Brayden Stefan.
Bethlehem Catholic: Sr. DB JD Awuah, Sr. ATH Mekhi LaPierre, Fr. WR Carter Vassa, So. QB Cayden Vassa.
Catasauqua: Jr. QB Aiden Hess, Sr. WR/DB Ian Juica, Sr. DL Miles Melendez.
Delaware Valley: Sr. QB Luke Brogan, Sr. WR Michael Holzworth, Jr. LB Justin Kollmer, Sr. LB Anderson Olcott.
Dieruff: Sr. OL/DL Erik Bolivar, So. RB Juan Manzano, So. WR/K Luis Martinez.
Emmaus: Sr. OL TJ Ashelmen, So. DL Robert Edwards, Jr. WR/DB Rafael Terrero, Sr. LB John Wassel.
Executive: Jr. RB Sylis Styles.
Freedom: Jr. DB Aaron Beete, Jr. WR Shacre Colwell, Sr. OL Brayden Curry, Jr. LB Jayden Macon.
Hackettstown: Sr. OL/DL Gio Galacio, Jr. WR/RB Matthew Guenther.
Liberty: So. RB Gabe Green, Jr. DL Daunte Morrison, Sr. DB Anthony Vega.
Nazareth: Sr. K Nathan Baker, Sr. OL Lincoln Heimbach, Jr. WR/DB Caleb Newsome, Sr. TE Frankie Mroz, So. RB/DB Marquez Wimberly.
North Hunterdon: Sr. QB/DB Tyler Anderson.
North Warren: Jr. LB Jayden Gulick.
Northampton: Sr. DL Jacob Biery, Sr. OL Braydon Gable, Sr. OL/DL Jacob Ladd, Sr. LB Brett Rickert, Sr. TE/DL Bo Wheeler.
Northern Lehigh: So. RB Grady Newhard, Sr. TE/LB/P Bailey Smith, Sr. OL Jackson Van Norman.
Northwestern Lehigh: Jr. DL Jackson Huber, So. TE/LB Shane Hulmes, So. QB Shane Leh.
Notre Dame: Sr. OL/DL Jack Cameron, So. TE/LB Jacoby Jacobs.
Palisades: Sr. OL/LB Daniel Haubert.
Parkland: Sr. OL Kale Kumernitsky, Sr. OL Ali Wezza.
Palmerton: Sr. OL Clayton Christman, Sr. WR/DB Brayden Hosier, Sr. OL/DL Alex Konze, Sr. WR/LB Bryce Marino.
Pen Argyl: Sr. OL/DL Kael Grim, Sr. WR/DB Alex Moser, Sr. QB/DB Brad Rissmiller.
Phillipsburg: Sr. LB Patrick Day, Sr. OL/DL Gifton Friday-Johnson, Jr. WR/DB Felix Matos, Sr. OL/DL Jack Regan, Sr. LB Marvelous Shabi.
Salisbury: Jr. RB Jason St. Leger.
Saucon Valley: Sr. RB/DB Constantine Donahue, Jr. OL/DL Caleb Grim.
Southern Lehigh: Sr. H-back/DL Mitchell Andrejko, Sr. OL/LB Alex Carr, Jr. OL/DL Gijs Fooij, Sr. LB Xavius Roman.
Voorhees: Sr. OL Cameron Baumann, Sr. TE/LB Travis Cryan, Sr. QB/LB Isaac Levitan.
Whitehall: Sr. WR/DB Braden Bashore, Sr. K Andrew Deutsch, Sr. WR/DB Jack Kocher.
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Kyle Craig may be reached at kcraig@lehighvalleylive.com.
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