FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — You could call it “Kings of the Hill.” The competition is intense, but it’s all in good fun.

With camaraderie at the forefront, young football players gathered to compete while supporting a good cause — the Schuylkill County United Way.

All 14 high schools from Schuylkill County and the surrounding area took part in the ninth annual Schuylkill United Way High School Football Challenge, which has become a summer tradition. Players grunted, threw, raced and showcased their strength and agility throughout the day.

Tamaqua High School raced through one event in hopes of adding points to its total.

An up-and-coming Panther Valley squad put its strength on display during the bench press competition.

Marian players relaxed between events while looking ahead to the upcoming football season.

More than anything, the event gave players a chance to get to know opponents without football helmets on. With the summer solstice approaching and preseason practice just 60 days away, the atmosphere was competitive but friendly.

Several notable guests attended, including former North Schuylkill standout Terry Rakowsky, who went on to play football at Penn State under legendary coach Joe Paterno.

Rakowsky excelled in four sports at North Schuylkill — football, basketball, baseball and track and field. Standing beneath the west end zone goalposts at Spartan Stadium, where quarterbacks were throwing passes to receivers, he reflected on his own playing days before becoming a Nittany Lion.

“This is so neat for all the players,” said Rakowsky, a retired dentist. “I’m living in the Hellertown area, and I wanted to get back to doing things like this. I enjoy golfing as much as possible and fishing.”

Rakowsky said the event gives players an opportunity to connect away from the intensity of game day.

“When I was in high school, we never saw much of the other players. We only saw them wearing helmets,” he said. “The only time we got to know the other guys was after high school.

“We had strong rivalries with Mount Carmel, Shenandoah, Blue Mountain, Mahanoy Area and Panther Valley. It was different. This event lets players get to know each other, and it’s a lot of fun.”

Rakowsky has spent more time around the Penn State program since retiring and said he hopes to bring members of the football program to the event in the future.

“I’ve been going to State College more now that I’m retired, and I’m going to try to get some of the coaching staff and maybe some players to come to this event next year,” he said.

Rakowsky’s nephew, Matt Smarkanic, and his brother-in-law, Dr. Andrew Smarkanic, are heavily involved in organizing the event. In fact, Dr. Smarkanic founded it.

Dr. Smarkanic said the idea began at his kitchen table after a challenge from United Way board member Jack Bartolett. He sought advice from his son, Matt, a former standout athlete at North Schuylkill.

“One of our United Way board members, Jack Bartolett, challenged me,” said Smarkanic, the retired North Schuylkill superintendent. “Jack asked, ‘Mr. Superintendent, how are we going to get the kids involved in this?’ I took it as a challenge, went home and talked to Matt, who had just finished a football combine. I asked him if we could put together a football challenge.”

The idea took off.

What started with a handful of teams has grown to include approximately 660 players.

Ty Wartman, a former Mahanoy Area basketball standout who is now principal at Schuylkill Haven, served as the event announcer.

“Oh, this is so much fun. I enjoy the heck out of it,” Wartman said. “I love it, and the kids are having a great time.”

Tamaqua quarterback Ace Shickram, who hopes to help lead the Blue Raiders this season, had just completed a sprint event when he spoke about the day.

“It’s nice to get out here with all the guys, and it’s good to compete,” said the junior. “But we’re all having fun.”

Panther Valley seniors Spencer Black and Jerry Harrison, both linemen, displayed their toughness throughout the competition.

“It’s fun competition, and our guys are just trying to get better,” Harrison said.

For Black, the day carried extra significance. He is returning from a season-ending knee injury and offseason surgery.

“I’m all healed up and looking forward to the season,” Black said. “This is such a great time. We all look forward to doing it for a good cause.”

Matt Smarkanic summed up the purpose of the event.

“My dad wanted to put this on because he wanted the kids to understand the sense of community and that the work is bigger than themselves,” said Smarkanic, who has been involved since the event’s inception.

The competition featured eight events: passing, sled pushing, tire flip, broad jump, farmer’s carry, shuttle relay, bench press and a kickoff competition held at halftime.