It was quite an exciting 2014 football season for Times News area teams with six TN squads qualifying for the postseason.

Northwestern was the top dog in the TN area this year and also in District 11 Class AA as the Tigers brought home a district championship to New Tripoli.Pleasant Valley, Lehighton, Palmerton and Marian all participated in the district playoffs as well, while Eastern Conference participant Northern Lehigh came away with a title in Division II.There were also those in the area who were honored by the media as All-State selections.In Class A Marian's Joe Damiano (DL) and Nick Sully (LB) were honored, and in Class AA Northwestern's Cam Richardson (WR) and Taylor Breininger (ATH) and Palmerton's Tre Nelson (LB) were selected.With all that said, it's time for the Times News to release its annual Football Players of the Year and All-Star selection.The TN selects one Player of the Year (Northwestern's Harry Hall, which was released Tuesday), an Offensive Player of the Year and a Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, others are chosen at specific positions.Defensive Player of the YearTre Nelson, Palmerton (LB)Nelson has been the foundation for the Bombers' defense for at least the past two seasons. His career tackles total of 413 certainly backs up that statement. The senior, who is headed to Monmouth to continue his football career, came up with 124 tackles in 2014 and was recently chosen as the EasternPAfootball.com Small School Defensive Player of the Year.Quotable: "Trey is a great player and an even better young man. He's been a leader since he stepped foot on the field for us in his freshman season. He's not a "me" guy, he's a "we" guy, and he's always put what's best for the team ahead of himself. He was the quarterback of our defense, he made all the calls for us, and he's been a key part in turning around our program. We're really going to miss him." Palmerton coach Chris Walkowiak.Offensive Player of the YearTyler Cann, Lehighton (QB)The junior signal caller for the Indians led them back to the District 11 AAA playoffs for the second consecutive season. Anybody who saw Cann play saw his uncanny ability to extend a play, especially under duress. His numbers weren't too shabby either, throwing for 1,469 yards and 11 touchdowns, while rushing for 514 yards and eight scores. He completed 85 of 128 passes for an impressive percentage of .664. He guided an offense that averaged 329 yards and 34 points per game.Quotable: "This is a great honor for Tyler and I'm so happy for him because honestly I think he's so underrated. He did so many things for us this year and the first thing that comes out of my mouth when I talk about Tyler is football IQ. He puts so much time in preparing and watching film and he sets a great precedent with his work ethic." Lehighton coach Tom McCarroll.Quarterback of the YearBrandon Kuehner, Pleasant ValleyKuehner had to wait his turn, sitting behind last seasons's QB of the Year in Bears' quarterback Brandon Leap. Leap was lost due to graduation and Kuehner didn't disappoint when he got the chance to lead the Bears powerful offense. He threw for a TN area best 1,591 yards and - touchdowns.Quotable: "Brandon waited his turn and when he got the chance he really showed what he could do. He did such a great job of running our offense and spreading the ball around to the array of weapons we had this season. He came to play every Friday night and that's all you can really ask for from your quarterback." - Pleasant Valley coach Dave Pacchioni.All Star QuarterbacksEthan Kuczynski, Marian (Jr.)Frank Dangello, Northwestern (Sr.)Garrett Perschy, Palmerton (So.)Running Back of the YearK.J. Snerr, MarianSnerr has endured an injury ridden career as a Colt, but in 2014 he was healthy and played healthy throughout the season. Snerr was able to focus on just one position this season as the Colts named Ethan Kuczynski the full time QB. A healthy Snerr showed what he could do, rushing for 1,534 yards and 16 touchdowns.Quotable: "I knew K.J. was going to be something special and he showed that this season. He's had some injuries and you never want to see that happen to a young man, all I wanted was for people to see how good he was and people saw that this year. He's already leading us in offseason workouts and he's going to be even stronger and faster than he was season." - Marian coach Stan Dakosty.All Star Running BacksNate Farber, Northern Lehigh (Sr.)Robbie Heller, Jim Thorpe (Jr.)Wyatt Clements, Lehighton (Jr.)"Bud" Moyer, Tamaqua (Jr.)Wide Receiver of the YearCam Richardson, NorthwesternRichardson was the utility man for the Tigers in 2014. He set every Northwestern receiving record in his career and also rushed for over a 1,000 yards in his Tiger tenure. Richardson made it hard for opposing defenses to key on teammate Harry Hall because at anytime he could go the distance from numerous spots on the field. Richardson led the TN area with 47 catches for 753 yards and also rushed for 485 yards at 8.66 yards per carry. He led the TN area in touchdowns with 27.Quotable: "We were able to do so much offensively because of Cam Richardson. He really made it tough for any defense to key on just one of our guys. He was so dynamic and he could break a play for a touchdown almost anytime he got his hands on the ball. Guys like that don't come around very often." - Northwestern Lehigh coach Josh SnyderAll Star Wide ReceiversTyler Crum, Lehighton (Sr.)Tom Ruzicka, Lehighton (Sr.)Angelo Maskornick, Marian (Sr.)Kevin Cruz, Pleasant Vy. (Sr.)Offensive Lineman of the YearGeorge Haddad, NorthwesternHaddad was the best lineman in a group that blocked for the TN Player of the Year and TN Wide Receiver of the Year. He also anchored an offensive line that helped produce 240 yards rushing per game.Quotable: "George is a product of simply working as hard as you can to become the best you can be. Nobody works harder than George and that showed this season. He really put a lot of time into it and improved his strength and foot work." - Northwestern Lehigh coach Josh Snyder.All Star Offensive LinemanChet Karpyn, NW (Jr.)Chris Trumbauer, NW (Sr.)Jason Pechacek, NW (Sr.)Jericho Berger, Palmerton (Jr.)Joel Kunek, Lehighton (Sr.)Evan Haberman, Lehighton (Sr.)Ahmad Curtis, Pleasant Vy. (Sr.)Hunter Gibson, Jim Thorpe (Sr.)Nathan Bastanzi, Tamaqua (Sr.)Trevor Skripko, Tamaqua (Sr.)Joe Damiano, Marian (Sr.)Defensive Lineman of the YearJoe Damiano, MarianDamiano was a force up front for the Colts on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Damian collected 100 tackles from his defensive lineman position, which is not an easy feat by any means. He also tied for the team lead in sacks with seven.Quotable: "He was our leader on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball this season. He's the kind of young man who just knows the game. He has a nose for the football and plays very fundamental and very instinctive. We could always count on hi, to make big plays for us, especially on defense." - Marian coach Stan Dakosty.All Star Defensive LinemanChris Trumbauer, NW (Sr.)Cameron Kates, No. Lehigh (Jr.)Rai Washington, Palmerton (Jr.)Angelo Maskornick, Marian (Sr.)Josh Skotek (Jr.)Kyle Oliphant, Tamaqua (Jr.)Brian Joseph, Pleasant Vy. (Sr.)Linebacker of the YearWyatt Clements, LehightonWyatt "the riot" as he has often referred to has caused a riot for opposing defense since he put the Indians helmet on three years ago. His ability to break up the line of scrimmage with his blitzing and also his speed from sideline to sideline are what set him apart from the rest. Clements surely didn't disappoint in 2014, collecting 96 tackles and an impressive 17.5 tackles for a loss.Quotable: "Wyatt is the kind of guy who looks the part and plays the part. He's a ferocious competitor on the field and plays with a motor that many kids just don't possess. He has a great understanding of the game and as far as training goes, nobody goes harder than him. He's a great leader and a great kid to coach." - Lehighton coach Tom McCarroll.All Star LinebackersTre Nelson, Palmerton (Sr.)Isaac George, Palmerton (Sr.)Nick Sully, Marian (Sr.)Taylor Breininger, NW (Sr.)Harry Hall, NW (Jr.)Tyler Skripko, Tamaqua (Sr.)Trevor Skripko, Tamaqua (Sr.)Nate Farber, No. Lehigh (Sr.)Tom Ruzicka, Lehighton (Sr.)Anthony Vavra, Panther Vy. (Jr.)Defensive Back of the YearNyiem Nevarez, Pleasant ValleyNevarez might've only played five full games, but the lockdown corner made it all count, while he was in there. There wasn't many balls that were thrown in his direction simply because if Nevarez intercepted the ball, there was a good chance he was returning it to the house. The senior has five career interceptions and on all five he returned them for touchdowns.Quotable: "Nyiem is a very special player and its a shame he got injured this season. I honestly think if he would've been out there for us we could've gotten a few more "W's," but that's the way this game is. Every time Nyiem was out on the field he made an impact and it showed." - Pleasant Valley coach Dave Pacchioni.All Star Defensive BacksCam Richardson, NW (Sr.)Frank Dangello, NW (Sr.)Dominic Shivone, Palmerton (Sr.)Nico Agosti, Marian (Sr.)Tyler Crum, Lehighton (Sr.)Antonio Madera, Jim Thorpe (So.)Ryan Carroll, Jim, Thorpe (Sr.)Eric Marbury, Pleasant Vy., (Sr.)All Star KickersBrandon Miller, NW (Jr.)Dean Krcic, Pleasant Vy. (Jr.)Rich Roselli, Palmerton (Sr.)All Star PuntersJake Suveg, Panther Vy. (Sr.)K.J. Snerr, Marian (Jr.)