New Year’s Eve is here, which means before you come up with your champagne toast or new year’s resolution, you can take a look at the annual Times News Area All-Star Football Team.

It was another solid year for Times News area teams with five squads qualifying for the postseason.

Marian, Jim Thorpe, Tamaqua and Northwestern Lehigh all played in their respective district semifinals, with Northwestern being the only team to win a postseason game, defeating Allentown Central Catholic 50-13 in the opening round of the 4A playoffs. Lehighton also qualified for the District 11 Class 4A playoffs, but was eliminated in the first round.

On Saturday, Northwestern’s Deven Bollinger was named the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Football Player of the Year after a spectacular season at quarterback for the Tigers, which also culminated in an All-State selection.

On the Times News Area All-Star Football Team, an individual can only be selected as a player of the year once, but they can be named as an all-star. With Bollinger’s selection as Football Player of the Year, that eliminates him from any other player of the year category, but he can be named a quarterback all-star. This is done to recognize as many deserving players as possible.

Offensive Player of the Year

Nate Boyle

(RB/WR, Tamaqua)

Tamaqua’s All-State athlete — junior Nate Boyle — did it all for the Blue Raiders in 2018.

Boyle proved himself to be one of the most versatile football players in TN history this past season, rushing for 899 yards on 105 carries (8.56 yards per carry) and catching 41 passes for 615 yards. Boyle led the area with 27 touchdowns and also connected on 49 extras points to give him 211 points, which was also tops in the area.

He became just the third player in Times News area history to reach 200 points in a season, joining Northern Lehigh’s Cody Remaley (2010) and Northwestern’s Brett Snyder (1995).

“He’s one of the best football players I’ve ever coached,” said Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner. “He did everything we asked him to do and at a high level. You could see it as a freshman that he was going to be something special. And not only did he do so many things on offense for us, but he led us in tackles on defense. He’s just a special player.”

Defensive Player of the Year

Dylan Dailey

(DE, Jim Thorpe)

Dylan Dailey has been the best defensive player in the area over the past two seasons and once again proved that in his senior campaign. The two-time All-State selection at defensive end put together massive numbers from his edge rushing spot. Dailey came through with 65 tackles, 49 of them solo, with 14 sacks and 25 tackles for a loss. He also recorded 11 quarterback hurries and recovered four fumbles — two of which he returned for touchdowns.

“Dylan is a truly explosive football player with a relentless motor, which really separates him from the rest,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger. “He never gives up and he never stops pursuing on a play. He’s full bore all the time.”

Quarterback of the Year

Brayden Knoblauch, Tamaqua

Knoblauch was the field general and signal caller for a Tamaqua offense that scored over 40 points six times and averaged close to 370 yards per game. The 5-10 junior made some big throws both in the pocket and on the run in 2018. He completed 106 passes on 179 attempts (a percentage of .592) for 1,424 yards. He also threw 13 touchdowns while being intercepted eight times. He had a stretch of eight consecutive games throwing a touchdown pass and had a season-high 222-yard passing effort against Blue Mountain.

Coach’s quote — “Brayden did a good job of managing and leading our offense. He really built off a good sophomore campaign where he split time with Thad Zuber. You could tell at a young age he was going to be good. He was our manager in, I think sixth grade, and he was already throwing nice balls then.” — Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner.

All-Star Quarterbacks

Deven Bollinger (Northwestern); Chris Whiteman (Lehighton).

Running Back of the Year

Nick Breiner, Tamaqua

Breiner has a number of Tamaqua rushing records after putting together another impressive season in his senior year. Breiner, who possesses the perfect mixture of power and speed, led the Times News area in rushing with 1,300 yards on 159 carries. He scored 17 touchdowns, averaged 8.18 yards per carry, and also caught 17 passes out of the backfield. Breiner also returned four kickoffs for 103 yards.

Coach’s quote — “Nick has been a workhorse for the past three seasons for us. He’s a tough back that always finishes his runs. He’s been a leader of the group for a long time and his production at the position speaks for itself. He owns the all-time rushing record, and rushing touchdown mark. He’s certainly one of the best running backs in Tamaqua history.” — Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner.

All-Star Running Backs

CJ Selby (Jim Thorpe); Nasai Moon (Pleasant Valley); Nick Henry (Northwestern); Nate Boyle (Tamaqua); Matt Doherty (Marian).

Wide Receiver of the Year

Justin Rodda, Northwestern

Rodda, just a sophomore, was the main target in the vaunted Northwestern passing attack that led the area with 179 passing yards per game. Rodda was the top big-play receiver in the area, catching 38 balls for 753 yards. He averaged 19.82 yards per catch, which was more than any other player by over three yards, and caught 12 touchdown passes.

Coach’s quote — “The sky is the limit for Justin. He’s worked hard to be that guy on the outside for us, that explosive guy we can go to when we need a big play. We knew he was going to be a good one. His ability to make plays after the catch with his speed is special. We’re certainly looking forward to having him around for the next couple years.” — Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder.

All-Star Wide Receivers

Zach Crum (Lehighton); Blake White (Panther Valley); Matt Kistler (Tamaqua); Zach Hunsicker (Lehighton); Keith McCall (Marian); Derek Holmes (TE, Northwestern); Ben Schatz (TE, Lehighton); Damion Rodriguez (TE, Northern Lehigh).

Offensive Lineman of the Year

Matt Amodea, Tamaqua

Amodea has been a staple on the Tamaqua offensive line for the past few seasons and made his final mark in his senior campaign. Amodea was good in both pass protection and the run game. Amodea was also named the Offensive Lineman of the Year in the Schuylkill League.

Coach’s quote — “Matt is a three-year starter for us and he really was a stud. He’s gotten better every year and he brought a toughness to our team. And for him to be honored as the best offensive lineman in our division, with teams like North Schuylkill and Jim Thorpe that had some good players up front, that says a lot right there.” — Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner.

All-Star Offensive Linemen

Ethan Mordaunt (Jim Thorpe); Nick Trovarello (Jim Thorpe); William Munson (Jim Thorpe); Conner Snyder (Northwestern); Hayden Bobbyn (Northwestern); Derek Hebelka (Northwestern); Bronson Strouse (Tamaqua); Sean Lavine (Tamaqua); Jared Reed (Tamaqua); Caleb Wanamaker (Northern Lehigh).

Specialist of the Year

Jordan Nelson, Palmerton

Nelson’s junior campaign was the epitome of his award distinction this season — special. He literally did it all for the Bombers. Nelson threw for 631 yards and three touchdowns, rushed for 554 yards and nine scores, and caught 15 passes for 214 yards and three TDs. He kicked 28 extra points and was also Palmerton’s punter. He was a First Team Colonial League selection as a specialist and a Second Team punter.

Coach’s quote — “Jordan’s skill set really fits the bill for the athlete or specialist position because he can do so many things. His natural position is receiver, but he moved to quarterback to help us out and he only got better as the season went on. He’s a high character kid that puts the time in, both on the field and in the classroom.” — Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak.

All-Star Specialists

Nate Boyle (RB/WR/K, Tamaqua); Aaron Stasko (QB/RB/WR, Palmerton); Tyler Lobach (RB/WR, Northwestern) Jarrin Geisinger (WR, Jim Thorpe); Dylan Dailey (P, Jim Thorpe); Lucca Stroia (K, Marian); Connor de Wit (K, Northwestern) Mason Miller (P, Marian).

Linebacker of the Year

Colin Jacobs, Jim Thorpe

Jacobs brings home the TN Linebacker of the Year for the second consecutive season. Jacobs was the quarterback of the area’s best defense that gave up just 114.8 yards per game. Jacobs led the team in tackles, even after missing a few games early in the season, with 68 — 50 of them solo, 4.5 sacks and 18 tackles for a loss. He also had six quarterback hurries and blocked a punt on special teams.

Coach’s quote — “Colin’s football instincts are what make him such an exceptional football player. He’s tough, he’s got a little bit of swagger to him and most importantly, he’s a really fundamental tackler. He doesn’t miss many tackles. He also did a good job of rushing the passer in our blitz packages when we called his number.” — Jim Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger.

All-Star Linebackers

Nate Boyle (Tamaqua); Jake Barron (Tamaqua); Austin Williams (Jim Thorpe); Jordan Nelson (Palmerton); Aaron Stasko (Palmerton); Nick Henry (Northwestern); Tyler Lobach (Northwestern); Tyler Slifer (Northwestern); Zach Boyer (Marian); Nick Falls (Marian); Brett Gasker (Lehighton).

Defensive Lineman of the Year

Ethan Mordaunt, Jim Thorpe

Mordaunt was a monster in the middle of the most dominant defensive line the Times News area has seen in over a decade. From his defensive tackle position, Mordaunt racked up 67 tackles — 50 of them solo —with seven sacks and 22 tackles for loss. The 6-4, 220-pound Olympian also finished with five quarterback hurries, forced two fumbles, recovered one, and blocked a punt.

Coach’s quote — “Ethan got a few inches taller, put on about 20 pounds of muscle this season and didn’t lose a step. His quickness and explosiveness off the ball made it really hard for offenses to handle him. He was another guy that was just relentless in his pursuit to tackle the ball handler.” — Jim Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger.

All-Star Defensive Linemen

Dylan Dailey (Jim Thorpe); Nate Rosahac (Jim Thorpe); Matt Amodea (Tamaqua); Bronson Strouse (Tamaqua); Derek Holmes (Northwestern); Conner Snyder (Northwestern); Hayden Bobbyn (Northwestern); Carson Gardner (Palmerton); Dakota Hiester (Lehighton).

Defensive Back of the Year

Zach Crum, Lehighton

Crum was one of the best shut-down corners in the area. Teams didn’t throw his way much and when they did, the result wasn’t a good one for the offense. As a defensive back, he was voted First Team Schuylkill League Division 1 and Schuylkill County Coach’s Association North, and was named to the SCFCA Dream Team. Crum finished with 28 tackles, two interceptions, two tackles for loss and three pass break-ups.

Coach’s quote — “You look at his numbers on defense and they aren’t flashy, but he was never really challenged because he did such a good job of shutting down his side of the field. He was the guy we put on the opposing team’s best receiver game in and game out, and he always made a play when the ball was thrown in his direction.” — Lehighton head coach Tom McCarroll.

All-Star Defensive Backs

Matt Kistler (Tamaqua); Pierce Demetriades (Tamaqua); Ryan Haas (Northwestern); Justin Rodda (Northwestern); Noah Snisky (Jim Thorpe); Cody Waterhouse (Palmerton); Shawn Hoben (Panther Valley); Zach Moyer (Northern Lehigh); Gage Hunsicker (Northern Lehigh); Matt Doherty (Marian).