The 2019 Times News Wrestler of the Year has yet another tribute to add to his stellar high school athletic career.

Jim Thorpe’s defensive tackle, Ethan Mordaunt, has been selected to play in the Pennsylvania East-West All-Star football game May 5 in Altoona.

Mordaunt is only the second player in school history chosen to play in the Classic, the other being wide receiver Craig Zurn in 2008. Zurn is currently an assistant coach on Mark Rosenberger’s staff for the Olympians.

The East-West game is played by all stars from the state, and is affiliated with the Big 33 Classic that pits the best PA players against the best players from Maryland.

According to Rosenberger, the selection process that qualified Mordaunt is quite extensive. Coaches who are members of the Pennsylvania Scholastic Coaches Football Association can nominate their players. Then a PSCFA committee of selected coaches reviews every player’s credentials. The committee members evaluate film on each player and grade out his skill level. Mordaunt was selected from a large group of some of the best defensive tackles in the state.

“I was really shocked when coach told me last week,” said Mordaunt. “We had a great season, but I still felt like I wanted to play another game.”

The 6-4, 230-pound, two-way tackle was originally selected as an alternate, but he will be on the game roster due to the unavailability of another lineman who had been chosen for the East team.

“Ethan played great as a three-year starter for us,” said Rosenberger. “His game is physical and strong. He’s explosive off the ball, and he uses his wrestling skills with his hands to beat his opponent.

Mordaunt played an integral role for the Olympians in their attaining playoff status for the past three years. He registered eight quarterback sacks this past season to go with 70 tackles.

Mordaunt, who will join the wrestling program at Millersville next fall, mastered the swim and rip techniques in which he used his hands to get by or go through an offensive tackle and used his extraordinary quickness for a player of his size. He often excelled in the fourth quarter of games against tired opponents utilizing what Rosenberger described a “motor that was constantly running.”

Mordaunt’s play this past season spelled trouble for anyone who lined up across from him, as his being selected as one of Pennsylvania’s finest football players would attest.

“To be nominated by my coach is an honor,” he said, “I am so thankful the opportunity to play in the East-West game.”