Ryan Saunders II graduated from Jim Thorpe High School in 2014 and enters the Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame as a distinguished quarterback. The Olympian quarterback reached 100 yards on the ground in nine of the Olympians’ 11 games, including a season-high 232 yards against then-undefeated Mahanoy Area.

Saunders was the first quarterback from the Times News area in 25 years to reach 1,500 rushing yards (1,570 yards - a single-season record - on 222 carries, an average of over 7 yards per carry).

His running game produced 17 touchdowns and 120 points. Saunders complimented his running ability with 1,005 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, statistics that helped Jim Thorpe finish atop of the Anthracite Football League standings with a 7-1 record.

As a senior, Saunders garnered numerous accolades, including First Team All-State honors as an athlete, He was also named Times News Football Player of the Year; Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association Offensive Player of the Yer; Friday Night Football Player of the Year; Schuylkill League Dream Team Offensive Player of the Year; Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association First Team Quarterback; WMGH 105.5 Player of the Year; and Jim Thorpe’s Offensive MVP.

In the next few weeks leading up to the banquet, other inductees into this year’s class will be highlighted. The other inductees include Ethan Smith, Pervis “PJ” Johnson, Chris “Chopper” Figura, the 1969 Jim Thorpe championship football team, and Kayla Susko.

The 30th annual Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame banquet will be held at Dean Anthony’s Restaurant in Jim Thorpe on Saturday, Aug. 17.

A cocktail hour will begin at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., and the induction ceremony will start at 7:15 p.m. Entertainment will begin at the conclusion of the induction ceremony, which will be at around 8:30 p.m. The cost is $35 for adults and $11.95 for kids. The price includes dinner, selected drinks and entertainment.

Tickets for the induction ceremony and the rest of the evening may be obtained by calling Jack Kmetz at 570-325-4923 or Wilmer Redline at 570-325-3073.