The Schuylkill County Chapter No. 25 of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame recently announced its 65th Annual Football Scholar-Athlete Banquet, to be held on Sunday, Feb. 15 at Schuylkill Intermediate Unit #29 in MarLin, Pennsylvania. Doors will open at 4 p.m., with the banquet beginning promptly at 5 p.m.

For more than six decades, this distinguished event has celebrated the very best of Schuylkill County high school football — recognizing student-athletes who exemplify excellence on the field, in the classroom, and within their school communities. The banquet honors Football Scholar-Athletes from 14 county schools, each selected for their exceptional athletic performance, strong academic achievement, leadership, character, and citizenship.

“These young men represent the highest ideals of the National Football Foundation,” said the Schuylkill County Chapter. “They are leaders among their peers, dedicated students, and committed athletes whose hard work and integrity set a standard for our schools and communities.”

Each honoree has met the rigorous qualifications established by the National Football Foundation and will represent their respective school’s football program at this prestigious countywide celebration. The annual banquet serves not only as a recognition of individual accomplishment, but also as a testament to the enduring values of discipline, teamwork, scholarship, and service fostered through interscholastic football.

Players from the Times News area that were named their team’s Scholar-Athletes included Jah Bushati (Marian), Gavin Yuricheck (Panther Valley) and Luke Frohnheiser (Tamaqua). Bios on each player follow below:

Jah Bushati, Marian Catholic

6-0, 180 lbs; OL/LB/K

4-Year Member, 4-Year Starter,

4-Year Letterman

Bushati was a standout two-way player and senior captain for the Marian Catholic Colts during his four-year varsity football career. Excelling at offensive guard, linebacker and kicker, Jah earned Times News All-Star linebacker; Standard Speaker First Team Linebacker, Second Team Kicker; T102 Sports Now Tremendous 33 All-Star Linebacker; Morning Call Honorable Mention Linebacker; SCFCA Second Team Linebacker, and Honorable Mention Kicker honors; along with two T102 Defensive Player of the Game awards. His leadership helped guide the Colts to a District 11 runner-up finish in 2025.

Jah also competed in varsity wrestling, reaching the Schuylkill League Finals and earning District 11 placewinner status.

Academically, Jah is an exceptional student, ranking first in his class of 64 with a 4.1 GPA. He has completed AP coursework in Calculus, Government, and English Literature, is a Distinguished Honors recipient, and serves as President of the National Honor Society and Academic Team. He is also active in Catholic Athletes for Christ and FBLA. His community service includes volunteering at the Food Truck Drive, Marian Colts Youth Summer Camp, and Youth Leadership Summit, where he mentors younger students.

Jah has been accepted to Seton Hill University, Ursinus College, and Bloomsburg University, receiving scholarships from Seton Hill and Ursinus, and plans to major in biology. He is the son of Beke and Servete Bushati and resides in Summit Hill.

Gavin Yuricheck, Panther Vy.

6-4, 200 lbs; WR/S/CB

4-Year Member, 3-Year Starter,

3-Year Letterman

Yuricheck was a versatile three-year starter and two-year captain for Panther Valley, contributing at wide receiver, safety, and cornerback. He earned Second Team All-State honors at wide receiver, Times News All-Star wide receiver; First Team All-Area recognition at wide receiver from both the Standard Speaker and SCFCA; and Second Team All-Area honors as a defensive back from the Standard Speaker and SCFCA. Gavin was also honored with Panther Valley’s Captain Award, named the team’s Most Outstanding Back, and selected to the All-Academic Gold Team from 2022–2025.

A multi-sport athlete, Gavin also served as a captain on the baseball team and is a member of the track and field squad.

Academically, Gavin maintains a 4.0 GPA, ranking third in a class of 94, and has completed AP coursework in Physics, Calculus, U.S. History, and English. He is active in National Honor Society, Envirothon, Student Council, and Student Forum. His community involvement includes volunteering at a local nursing home, assisting elementary teachers, helping organize school events, and staying involved in his community. He balances his community involvement with work experience at Panther Valley School District and Summit Hill Borough.

Gavin has been accepted to Alvernia University and Alfred University and plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. He is the son of Ronald and Tara Yuricheck and resides in Summit Hill.

Luke Frohnheiser, Tamaqua

5-10, 180 lbs; C/LB

4-Year Member, 4-Year Starter,

4-Year Letterman

Frohnheiser was a two-year captain and dominant presence in the trenches for the Tamaqua Blue Raiders, anchoring the offensive line at center while excelling defensively at inside linebacker. During his senior season, Luke earned SCFCA All-County First Team honors at both center and linebacker, Standard-Speaker All-Area First Team selections at both positions, was named Times News Linebacker of the Year, and received Morning Call All-Area Honorable Mention recognition. As a junior, he earned SCFCA All-County Second Team honors at center and Standard-Speaker All-Area recognition, contributing to an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Championship for the Blue Raiders. He is also a four-year selection to the All-Academic Gold Team.

In addition to football, Luke competes in basketball, serving as a senior captain, and is a three-year starter on the baseball team, helping secure two Schuylkill League Championships and a PIAA District 11 runner-up finish.

Academically, Luke maintains a 99.894 GPA, ranking third in a class of 176 students. He has completed an extensive AP curriculum including Calculus, Biology, U.S. History, English Language and Composition, Statistics, Spanish, U.S. Government, Physics 1, and Physics 2, along with dual-enrollment College English courses. His leadership roles include Class Treasurer, Treasurer of the National Honor Society, President of the Physics Club, and active membership in the National English Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National Spanish Honor Society, and National Science Honor Society. He is also a four-year member of Student Government Association and Ski Club, and a member of FBLA, which earned a regional first-place finish in Organizational Leadership.

Luke’s community involvement includes volunteering with the non-profit Sweet Inclusion, which supports employment opportunities for young adults with special needs. He has also completed service hours through the National Honor Society and Big Impact Group, and gained work experience as a summer employee for the Tamaqua Area High School grounds crew.

Luke has earned a National Army ROTC scholarship, which he plans to use upon enrolling in college, and intends to major in Mechanical Engineering. He is the son of Anne Frohnheiser and resides in Tamaqua.

Remaining Scholar-Athletes

Dylan Foose (Blue Mountain), Kyler Quick (Mahanoy Area), Matt Dube (Minersville), Colt Mason (Nativity), Cadyn McGraw (North Schuylkill), Robert Brown Jr. (Pine Grove), Juleon Bainbridge (Pottsville), Niko Carestia (Schuylkill Haven), Samuel Mentusky (Shenandoah Valley), Maxwell Masser (Tri-Valley), Quin Smeltz (Williams Valley).