Two teams dominate the 2022 Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Players of the Year and All-Star selections. Mountain Road rivals Northern Lehigh and Northwestern Lehigh both came away with district championships this past season.

The Bulldogs captured their second consecutive District 11 title, moving down from 2A to 1A, while the Tigers defeated a vaunted North Schuylkill team to claim the 3A championship after moving down from 4A.

Palmerton, Tamaqua, Jim Thorpe Lehighton and Pleasant Valley also were able to qualify for the postseason as well, but none were able to advance to the championship round.

Before closing the final page on the 2022 season, the Times News as it always does, highlights the area’s top players by announcing our choices for the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Players of the Year and All-Star selections.

Similar to our format over the past few seasons, we have selected Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, as well as the top players in eight different position groups. As usual, an individual can only be selected as a Player of the Year once, but they can be named as an All-Star at any other position.

For example, with Matt Machalik’s selection as this season’s Football Player of the Year, that eliminates him from any other Player of the Year category, but he can be named an all-star at a position. This is done to recognize as many deserving players as possible.

Offensive Player of the Year

Cade Christopher, Northwestern (Sr.)

All Cade Christopher has done in his tenure at Northwestern is score touchdowns. After making the switch to quarterback from wide receiver this season, he helped the Tigers win a District 11 3A championship. Christopher, a 3A PA Football Writer’s All State selection at athlete rushed for 1,886 yards and 27 touchdowns and threw for 799 yards and 11 scores. He also had three kickoff return touchdowns and one punt return touchdown.

Coach’s Quote: “Cade went from touching the ball 8-10 times per game to this season having the ball every play and being the focal point of every defense and he couldn’t have handled that transition better. He ran tough in between the tackles. He had a 28 carry game and a 25 carry game. He just did a great job of not only racking up big numbers, but commanding our offense and our tempo.” - Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder

Defensive Player of the Year

AJ Jimenez, Northern Lehigh (Sr.)

Jimenez, a 1A PA Football Writer’s All State selection was a terror off the edge for the Bulldogs’ dominant defense, which gave up just 16.9 points per game and 217.9 total yards per game. Jimenez led the Northern Lehigh defense, which had a host of playmakers on the field in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks. The senior finished the season with 89 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and an impressive 10 sacks.

Coach’s Quote: “Last season, about midway through, we moved AJ to defensive end and he has just thrived there. He has the size, but it’s his freakish quickness and speed that makes him such a force, and he put up the big numbers this season with every team keying on him. He has just worked and worked and it has paid off.” - Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout.

Quarterback of the Year

Nick Frame, Northern Lehigh (Sr.)

Frame, a 1A PA Football Writer’s All State selection at athlete served as the quarterback for the Bulldogs this season, leading them to their second consecutive District 11 title. Frame is the first player in Northern Lehigh history to throw for over 1,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season. Frame threw for 1,243 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions and also rushed for 1,105 yards at almost 8.0 yards per carry and 11 scores.

Coach’s Quote: “Any time that you’re a 1,000/1,000 guy, that tells you the type of athlete that you’re dealing with. Nick is such a dynamic player and athlete, and he would drive defenses crazy because of his escapability, especially when he was pressured. He picked up a lot of big third downs for us just making things happen. He also got better and better as the season went on throwing the football and he trusted his arm, and became more confident.” - Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout.

All Star Quarterbacks

Matt Machalik, Palmerton

Cade Christopher, Northwestern

Brett Balliet, Jim Thorpe

Luke Kane, Tamaqua

Running Back of the Year

Dalton Clymer, Northwestern (Jr.)

Clymer paired with Christoper to form one of the most dynamic rushing attacks in all of District 11 that saw the Tigers average 290 yards per game on the ground. Clymer was a punishing runner for the District 11 3A champions as he rushed for

1,447 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also served as a nice pass-catching target out of the backfield hauling in 13 balls for 146 yards and four receiving touchdowns.

Coach’s Quote: “Dalton figured out early on in the season that when he squared his shoulders and ran hard in between the tackles he could be a demoralizing runner of the football and that’s what he was for us during the season. It’s fun to see him carry the football, with that downhill style. He helped us move the chains all season long, and he carried the ball for us a total of 239 times and only had 2 yards lost rushing all season. That tells you how tough he was.” - Northwestern Lehigh head coach Josh Snyder.

All Star Running Backs

AJ Jimenez, Northern Lehigh

Fela Olaniyan, Pleasant Valley

Matt Martin, Marian

Sal Capria, Jim Thorpe

Wide Receiver of the Year

Ian Rarick, Lehighton (Sr.)

Rarick’s ability to make both tough contested catches and make plays with the ball in space made him one of the top wideouts in the Times News Area this season, and he had the numbers to back it up. Rarick finished the season with 52 catches for 732 yards and seven touchdowns.

Coach’s Quote: “Ian is a player who took on the challenge of becoming our go-to wide receiver. It started with his dedicated approach in the off-season and continued throughout the season. Prior to missing three games due to injury, he was on pace for a potential 1000-yard season. His overall development was extremely impressive over his final season.” - Lehighton head coach Tom McCarroll.

All Star Wide Receivers

Daniel Lucykanish, Palmerton

Kendall Robinson, Palmerton

Dalton Drake, Palmerton

Connor Dillon, Tamaqua

David Fiorito, Jim Thorpe

Offensive Lineman of the Year

Jackson VanNorman, Northern Lehigh (Jr.) VanNorman, a 1A PA Football Writer’s All State Selection was the top overall offensive lineman for the Bulldogs, and led the high-powered offensive unit from his center position, helping them average 34.1 points per game and 358.1 yards per game. VanNorman was also a road grader in the run game, which helped pave the way for an impressive 267.4 rushing yards per game.

Coach’s Quote: “Jackson started as a sophomore for us and has just continued to get better. He a great work ethic and sets high goals for himself. He’s is probably the most consistent offensive lineman I have seen in my time here. He got in the weight room too over the off-season and he got a lot stronger, so that only upped his game even more. Again, you won’t find a more consistent guy out there.” - Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout.

All Star Offensive Linemen

Jackson VanNorman, Northern Lehigh

Ben Walters, Northwestern

Zack Anthony, Palmerton

Brody Dye, Northern Lehigh

Josiah Gornicz, Northwestern

Noah Rosahac, Jim Thorpe

Wyatt Scherer, Lehighton

Riley Hoben, Panther Valley

Tyler Vandever, Pleasant Valley

Austyn Smyth, Northern Lehigh (TE)

Offensive Athlete/Specialist of the Year Daniel Lucykanish, Palmerton (Sr.) Lucykanish was one of the reasons why the Palmerton offense was so explosive this season. The senior was more than effective from his slot position in the passing game as he hauled in 53 catches for 893 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 11 touchdown receptions tied a school record. Lucykanish also rushed for 314 yards and five rushing scores.

Coach’s Quote: “I think this honor is fitting for Daniel, because he is such a versatile player. He was our co-offensive MVP for all the things that he was able to do for us. He was tough in the slot and ran great routes with speed and then in the backfield he was decisive and ran with great vision. He’s just a good football player with good football I.Q.” - Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak.

All Star Offensive Athletes

Michael Pascoe, Panther Valley (QB)

Connor Dillon, Tamaqua (WR)

Devon Hildebrand, Northwestern (FB)

Izaiah Ramos, Northern Lehigh (RB)

Ethan Buchert, Lehighton (RB)

David Fiorito, Jim Thorpe (WR)

Val Byers-Robinson, Pleasant Valley (QB) Dawson Meckes, Jim Thorpe (K) Rory Robinson, Pleasant Valley (K)

Defensive Lineman of the Year

Noah Rosahac, Jim Thorpe (Jr.)

Rosahac, last season’s Times News Defensive Player of the Year battled injuries throughout the year, but still was dominant on the interior for the Olympians. The 6-5, 260-pounder 3A PA Football Writer’s All State honoree finished the season with 83 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and eight sacks.

Coach’s Quote: “Noah took his game to the next level defensively this season. He added weight and strength and then you pair that with his size and athleticism and you have someone who is really hard to handle on the inside. He really improved at getting after the quarterback, whether that was getting sacks or getting hurries and impacting the play. He comes from a football family and loves the game and has a great football I.Q.” - Jim Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger.

All Star Defensive Linemen

AJ Jimenez, Northern Lehigh

Austyn Smyth, Northern Lehigh

Jayden Krempasky, Northern Lehigh

Bryson Heydt, Jim Thorpe

Sam Frame, Northern Lehigh

Ben Walters, Northwestern

Sam Mauro, Northwestern

Zack Anthony, Palmerton

Austin Hadley, Panther Valley

Jesse Rodino, Marian

James Rodino Marian

Reese Balk, Lehighton

Matt Adamski, Pleasant Valley

Linebacker of the Year

Blaine Snyder, Northwestern (Jr.)

Snyder was all over the field from his inside linebacker position as he helped lead a Tigers’ defense that allowed just 17.4 points per game and 235 yards per game. Snyder led the Tigers in tackles this season with 128. He also compiled 10 tackles for loss, three sacks and one interception.

Coach’s Quote: “Blaine is the captain of our defense and he really just has a nose for finding the football. He calls our defense and at times just seems one step ahead of what the offense wants to do. He also doesn’t miss many tackles. He’s one of the steadiest players I’ve seen play the linebacker position for us. His consistency sets him apart.” - Northwestern head coach Blaine Snyder.

Ethan Karpowich, Northern Lehigh

Bailey Smith, Northern Lehigh

Dalton Clymer, Northwestern

Fela Olaniyan, Pleasant Valley

Jack Tosh, Northern Lehigh

Ben Goldberg, Jim Thorpe

Dylan Moyer, Lehighton

Joey Walko, Marian

Matt Martin, Marian

John Klein, Tamaqua

Alex Ecker, Pleasant Valley

Defensive Athlete/Specialist of the Year Bailey Smith, Northern Lehigh (Sr.) Smith was an important contributor to Northern Lehigh’s defense and special teams this season. On defense, Smith was a playmaker at outside linebacker, tallying 84 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and five sacks. As a punter, Smith was one of the best in the Schuylkill-Colonial, with an average of 39.1 yards per punt and pinned six punts inside the 20-yard line.

Coach’s Quote: “Bailey’s play just jumps out on you on film. He’s our energy guy on defense. When he is on his game, he brings a spark to our defense that really gets the guys flying around because that’s how he plays. He is our hitter and he feeds off the big hits. And his punting ability, if he wants could be something he could do at the next level. When he can get the ball to turn over it looks different. He can punt for distance and he can pinpoint his punts as well.” - Northern Lehigh head coach Joe Tout.

Defensive Athlete/Specialist All Stars

Nick Frame, Northern Lehigh (DB)

Cade Christopher, Northwestern (DB)

Matt Machalik, Palmerton (DB)

Kendall Robinson, Palmerton (DB)

Ethan Buchert, Lehighton (DB)

Josh James, Jim Thorpe (DB)

Damon Sell, Tamaqua (DB)

Jarod Moore, Pleasant Valley (DB)