The awards keep coming for Matt Machalik.

The acclaimed Palmerton football and basketball superstar recently received the Edward J. Watto Small School Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award at the 64th annual National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame banquet held at the Northampton Community Center.

The award was based 40% each on academic and athletic achievement, and 20% for extracurricular activities and leadership.

“This award is very prestigious to me,” said Machalik. “Because it’s not just about what I did on the football field. It’s recognition for what I did in the classroom and in the community. You have to put the same effort in your school work, and to help the people in your community as you do on the football field and the basketball court.”

Along with Parkland’s Trey Tremba (Big School Scholar-Athlete) and Nazareth’s Sean Kinney (Lineman Scholar-Athlete), Machalik was a Pennsylvania Football Writers All State selection for 2023. This past season, the senior quarterback led his Palmerton Blue Bombers to a 10-0 regular season, the first in school history, and to the District 11 3A championship game.

“Of the so many athletic talents Matt has demonstrated over the past four years, his ultra -competitiveness is at the top of the list,” said Palmerton football head coach Chris Walkowiak. “He just does not want to lose, and he brings that competitive edge to the field on every single play.”

Walkowiak also touted Machalik’s other high-level skills: speed, strength and his ability to make the big play at the biggest moment of a game.

“On offense, Matt wants the ball in his hands with the game on the line,” said Walkowiak. “On defense, he wants to be the difference-maker and get a big stop. Matt has ice in his veins. There is no situation too big for him on the football field, and he can take over a game at a moment’s notice.”

Not only did Machalik spearhead an undefeated regular season at Palmerton, he reached a milestone that no other player has ever achieved in the history of Pennsylvania football. He is the first player to have 6,000 passing yards and 5,000 rushing yards. In his Bombers’ career, he scored 95 touchdowns, which is fourth all-time in District 11. This year, he averaged nearly 13 rushing yards per carry, scoring 35 TDs on the ground and throwing for 17 more in the air.

He’s also brought his athletic skills to the hardwood, having scored over 1,600 points in his basketball career at Palmerton.

“The confidence he has in himself is something you don’t see in every athlete,” said Walkowiak. “He makes his teammates better players. Matt’s not a rah-rah leader. He leads by example, and what an example he has been.”

Machalik said that his success has much to do with the work he puts into being the best he can be.

“I put in the time so I can reach my best potential,” he said. “I want the ball in my hands at the biggest moments in the game. I want to be the difference for my team to win.”

He explained that a supporting cast is necessary for any athlete to reach a high level of excellence.

“I wouldn’t be able to do what I did without my family, my coaches and my teammates,” he said. “They all have pushed me to be the best version of myself.”

The captain of the football and basketball teams at Palmerton, he’s also an honor roll student, a student council member and Future Business Leaders of America member. He has also volunteered for several community events, including working at a youth summer camp and serving as a youth football coach.

“Our coach does a great job of giving back to the community, and our players take pride in giving back to the community because of their support on Friday nights,” Machalik told the Times News at his letter of intent signing. “It’s an honor to play under that. Having that support makes us better. I enjoy it so much.”

Machalik’s trophy room is busting at the seams with awards. Besides the NFF Scholar Athlete Award, he’s a two-time Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Football Player of the Year, two-time Morning Call POY, a WNEP POY and a BRC 13 Athlete of the Year just to name a few.

Machalik now sets his sights on academic achievement and football success at Lehigh University, where he will play quarterback or receiver.

With the determination that has made him one of the greatest high school athletes in area history, for this young man, the best may still be yet to come.