All eyes were on Northwestern Lehigh this season as the program put together one of the best seasons in Times News area history.

The Tigers finished with a 15-1 record, the Colonial-Schuylkill Gold Division title, a District 11 3A championship and they advanced all the way to the PIAA 3A state championship where they finished as the runner-up.

Northwestern is well-represented on this season’s Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Football All-Star Team with six of its players honored with Player of the Year awards.

Palmerton put together one of its best seasons in program history as well this season, as the Bombers went 12-1, took home a Colonial-Schuylkill Red Division title and advanced to the District 11 3A championship.

Marian put its program back on the map in 2023, finishing 7-5 and was able to advance to the District 11 1A championship game.

Tamaqua, Jim Thorpe and Lehighton also qualified for the District 11 3A postseason.

The Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network All-Star Football team always serves as the unofficial final close to the gridiron season. Comparable 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.

Per 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

Dalton Clymer, Northwestern (Sr.)

Clymer had a record-breaking season for the District 11 3A champions and PIAA 3A runner-up Tigers. The hard-running All-State selection rushed for 1,910 yards on the season, scoring an impressive 31 rushing touchdowns. Clymer also hauled in 13 catches for 359 yards and four receiving touchdowns.

Coach’s Quote: “Clymer was one of the guys coming back that we certainly knew was going to be a sure thing for us. You know what you got in Clymer. He’s a downhill, really fast runner that every week teams were gearing up to stop. He kept us ahead of the chains and he’s just that type of runner that won’t be denied. He broke our single-season touchdown mark, he’s our career leader in points scored. He’s right at the top when you talk about guys that have played for Northwestern.” – Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder.

Defensive Player of the Year

Bryer Reichard, Northwestern (Jr.)

The 6-5 261-pound junior All-State selection was dominant up front on the defensive line for the District 11 3A champion and PIAA 3A runner-up Tigers. Reichard was constantly creating havoc in the opposition’s backfield as he came through with 86 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and one interception.

Coach’s Quote: “First thing that pops out at you is Bryer’s size at 6-5, 260, and then when you see the way he can move, it’s even more impressive. The way he can redirect and change direction is fun to watch. A bunch of times this season he would blow up a screen to the sideline by chasing a guy down and making a tackle for loss. He’s physical and he can shutdown half a field for you up front. This season he tied our tackles for loss and sack record.” - Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder.

Quarterback of the Year

Shane Leh, Northwestern (So.)

Leh ran the offense for the PIAA Class 3A runner-up Tigers’ offense. The sophomore put together an impressive season both throwing and running the football. He passed for 1,816 yards and 24 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. He also rushed for 466 yards and nine touchdowns. He led an offense that averaged 380 yards and 41.8 points per game.

Coach’s Quote: “It was impressive to see Shane’s command of the offense grow each week. He was so good at getting the ball to our guys in the right position to make plays. He made our football team better. He also did a great job of protecting the football, had a great completion percentage and took good deep shots when the opportunities were there. To come in as a sophomore and run our offense, which has some complexities to it was very impressive.” - Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder.

All Star Quarterbacks

Matt Machalik, Palmerton; Cole Lazorick, Jim Thorpe; Bruce Hopeck, Marian; Brady O’Donnell, Lehighton.

Running Back of the Year

Alex Ecker, Pleasant Vy. (Sr.)

Ecker was a bruising runner for the Bears this season. He served as a strong runner from his fullback position, breaking tackles and setting the tone for Pleasant Valley’s triple option rushing attack. Ecker finished the season with 1,254 yards on the ground and 16 touchdowns. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry.

Coach’s Quote: “Alex was our work horse. As he went, we went. A physical runner and a kid that put a lot of time working in the weight room to get his body right to play a tough position. The FB position in the triple-option is a tough position to play. You’re always getting hit. But he was able to setup a lot of big plays for us, because he always was a threat to make a play. He put together a great season for us and I’m really happy for him for his success.” - Pleasant Valley head coach Blaec Saeger.

All Star Running Backs

Ty Sander, Palmerton; Rory Dixon, Marian; Grady Newhard, No. Lehigh; Dylan Moyer, Lehighton.

Wide Receiver of the Year

Justin Yescavage, Jim Thorpe (Jr.)

At 6-2 and 180 pounds, Yescavage served as a big and strong target for the Olympians and was tough to handle for opposing defenses the entire season. The junior receiver finished the season with 50 catches for 964 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged an impressive 19.3 yards per catch.

Coach’s Quote: “Justin is a very athletic and skilled receiver and he has a really big catch radius. If there is a 50/50 ball that comes his way, most of the time he is going to come down with it. Just a great young man and I’m very proud of him. Again, his ball skills are second to none. With another year left to play, we’re excited to see how he continues to develop.” – Jim Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger.

All Star Wide Receivers

Blake Roberts, Lehighton; Joe Roth, Lehighton; Mason Bollinger, Northwestern; Josh Louk, Jim Thorpe; Brady Jones, Panther Valley; Michael Gelatko (TE), Marian.

Offensive Lineman of the Year

Ben Walters, Northwestern (Jr.)

The senior All-State selection served as the anchor of the Northwestern offensive line from his left tackle position. He helped pave the way for the District 11 3A champion and PIAA 3A runner-up Tigers’ offense, which averaged 240 yards per game on the ground.

Coach’s Quote: “We knew coming into the season that Ben was going to have a great season for us. He’s a three-year starter for us and he has done a great job of protecting us on that blindside. He knows our offense in and out and he plays with an edge. He’s one of those guys that goes out there and sets the tone and sets an example by how he plays the game.” – Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder.

All Star Offensive Linemen

Noah Rosahac, Jim Thorpe; Jared Meck, Northwestern; Blaine Snyder, Northwestern, Zack Anthony, Palmerton; Wyatt Scherer, Lehighton; Bryer Reichard, Northwestern; Jackson Van norman, No. Lehigh; Logan Anthony, Palmerton; Brody Dye, No. Lehigh; Clayton Christman, Palmerton; James Rodino, Marian; Robbie Hoffman, Panther Valley; Brad Jones, Panther Valley; Cooper Hartsell, Lehighton; Michael Styka, Tamaqua; Chase Whaley (TE), Jim Thorpe.

Athlete of the Year

Ty Sander, Palmerton (Sr.)

Sander served as a versatile weapon for the District 11 3A runner-up Bombers on an offense that put up 413.3 yards per game. Sander was dangerous both running and catching the football. He finished the season with 1,043 yards rushing and 13 rushing scores, while also leading the team in receiving with 39 catches for 572 yards and five TDs.

Coach’s Quote: “This is a well-deserving honor for Ty, because he was such a versatile player for us all season long. He’s a kid that always makes plays and plays with an intensity that rubbed off on our players.” – Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak.

All Star Athletes

Devon Hildebrand, Northwestern; Alex Ecker, Pleasant Valley; Val Byers-Robinson, Pleasant Valley; Eli Zimmerman, Northwestern; Jesse Rodino, Marian; Damon Sell, Tamaqua; Bradley Whalen, Tamaqua, Brayden Hosier, Palmerton, Bryce Marino, Palmerton; Nova McGuire, Marian; Jack Tosh, No. Lehigh; Landen Matson, Northwestern.

All Star Specialists

Bailey Smith, No. Lehigh (P); Noah Geiser, Jim Thorpe (K); Seth Kern, Northwestern (K); Chase Moffit, No. Lehigh (K); Micheal Yeakel, Lehighton (P).

Defensive Lineman of the Year

Noah Rosahac, Jim Thorpe (Sr.)

The 6-5, 260-pound All-State selection is set to enroll at Syracuse University, where he will compete for the Orange on the offensive line. The senior was once again a monster at defensive tackle for the Olympians this season. On defense, Rosahac totaled 66 tackles, an impressive 25 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Coach’s Quote: “Noah dominated three straight years for us on the defensive line. It’s very rare that you see a player with his size, explosion and athleticism. When a player has all three of those things, you get a special player, the caliber of Noah. He’s a hardworking kid, does everything right and has been so reliable and dependable for the program. He’s just a great leader and an even better young man.” – Jim Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger.

All State Defensive Linemen

Bryer Reichard, Northwestern; Ben Walters, Northwestern; Logan Anthony, Palmerton; Jackson Huber, Northwestern; James Rodino, Marian; Michael Geltako, Marian; Wyatt Scherer, Lehighton; Bradley Whalen, Tamaqua; Reese Balk, Lehighton; Zack Anthony, Palmerton; Alex Konze, Palmerton; Sam Frame, No. Lehigh; Michael Styka, Tamaqua.

Linebacker of the Year

Blaine Snyder, Northwestern (Sr.)

Snyder has been as steadfast as they come in his career for Northwestern and once again was a tackling machine for the District 11 3A champions this season from his linebacker position. Snyder finished the season collecting 132 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one interception.

Coach’s Quote: “Blaine had yet another tremendous season for us. He has been a three-year starter for us at linebacker and he calls our defense out on the field for us. His football IQ and communication has been as good as it gets. He has always been very consistent and is always involved in the play. He hardly ever misses tackles. He is just a really good football player.” – Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder.

All Star Linebackers

Shane Hulmes, Northwestern; Dalton Clymer, Northwestern; Jesse Rodino Marian; Devon Hildebrand, Northwestern; Ty Sander, Palmerton; Emilio Gonzalez, Palmerton; Bailey Smith, No. Lehigh; Luke Kane, Tamaqua; Brad Jones, Panther Valley; Nick Schwartz, Jim Thorpe; Michael Antignani, Jim Thorpe.

Defensive Back of the Year

Eli Zimmerman, Northwestern (Jr.)

An All-State selection, Zimmerman was an absolute ballhawk from his safety spot for the District 11 3A champion Tigers. He finished the season 10 interceptions, 11 passes deflected, and two fumble recoveries. The junior defensive back also had 63 tackles, including three tackles for loss.

Coach’s Quote: “Eli really came out of his shell coming into the season and hit the ground running. He plays with ultra-confidence and physicality. You can tell he plays the game with a chip on his shoulder. He led the state in interceptions this season and many times he made a play during a game that changed the momentum in that game for us. He just made big plays for us all year.” – Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder.

All Star Defensive Backs

Matt Machalik, Palmerton; Daniel Jenkins, Northwestern; Brandon Klitsch, Marian; Damon Sell, Tamaqua; Josh James, Jim Thorpe; Michael Yeakel, Lehighton; Chris Frame, No. Lehigh; Brennan Kunkle, Panther Valley.