Terrence McDowell of Tamaqua, Lukas Croizier of Lehighton and Chase Sukanick of Northwestern are featured in our cover story. Here are 13 other players from around the Times News area to keep an eye on this fall.

BRADY ZIMMERMAN, NORTHWESTERN

Senior • WR/LB

Few returning players in the area bring a résumé quite like Zimmerman’s. He caught 45 passes for an area-leading 956 yards last season and scored 20 total touchdowns on his way to being named the Times News Wide Receiver of the Year. Zimmerman earned Football Writers All-State honors at wide receiver and PFN Coaches Select First Team recognition at slot/H-back. This season, he’ll also move back to middle linebacker, where he’ll call the Tigers’ defense.

MICHAEL LAGOWY, NORTHWESTERN

Senior • WR/DB

An impact player on both sides of the ball, Lagowy earned Times News Defensive Back of the Year honors after helping anchor the Tigers’ secondary. He intercepted six passes and was also Northwestern’s leader in receptions with 48 for 704 yards. Lagowy was a Football Writers All-State defensive back and a PFN Coaches Select First Team safety, giving the Tigers another highly decorated senior leader.

BILL SLATTERY, NORTHERN LEHIGH

Senior • DL

Slattery established himself as one of the area’s premier defensive linemen last season, collecting 91 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and seven sacks. His production earned him Times News Defensive Lineman of the Year honors as well as a spot on the PFN Coaches Select First Team at nose guard. Slattery will be a key piece of Northern Lehigh’s new 4-3 defensive front.

CHRIS FRAME, NORTHERN LEHIGH

Senior • RB/WR/DB

Frame’s versatility makes him valuable wherever Northern Lehigh puts him. He rushed for 496 yards and also caught 26 passes for 450 yards last season while earning Times News All-Star recognition in the defensive backfield. Frame was also selected as a PFN Coaches Select First Team cornerback. He figures to again contribute in multiple roles for a veteran Bulldogs team.

DOMINICK RODINO, MARIAN

Senior • OL/DL

At 6-foot-2 and 227 pounds, Rodino provides experience and physicality along both lines for the Colts. He was a Times News All-Star offensive lineman last season and also earned PFN Coaches Select Second Team honors at defensive tackle. Marian coach Billy O’Gurek believes the defense can be a strength this season, with Rodino anchoring an experienced front.

TYLER PRICE, MARIAN

Junior • RB/LB

Already an accomplished two-way player, Price earned Times News All-Star honors in the secondary and PFN Coaches Select Second Team recognition as a defensive athlete as a sophomore. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior will take on an expanded role this season, moving to middle linebacker while also becoming Marian’s featured option in the backfield.

CARLOS MALDANADO, PANTHER VALLEY

Senior • OL/DL

Panther Valley expects its experienced lines to be among the team’s biggest strengths, and Maldanado is right in the middle of that group. He earned Times News All-Star recognition on both the offensive and defensive lines last season. Panthers coach Mark Lavine believes Maldanado has the ability to be one of the better players in the league this fall.

CHASE McARDLE, PANTHER VALLEY

Junior • WR/DB

McArdle already owns an impressive amount of varsity experience entering his junior season. He caught 54 passes for 455 yards as a sophomore and earned Times News All-Star honors at both wide receiver and defensive back. His experience should be especially valuable this fall as he gives first-year starting quarterback Cy Maynard an established target in the passing game.

PRESTON DiGRAZIA, LEHIGHTON

Senior • LB/TE

Lehighton coach Tom McCarroll refers to DiGrazia as the Indians’ “quarterback on defense,” a reflection of the leadership he provides from his inside linebacker position. A Times News All-Star linebacker last season, DiGrazia helps get the defense aligned before the snap and provides an experienced presence in the middle. He’ll also contribute at tight end this fall.

SPENCER GOTHARD, JIM THORPE

Junior • WR/DB

Gothard emerged as a big-play option for the Olympians as a sophomore, catching 21 passes for 380 yards and five touchdowns — an average of more than 18 yards per reception. His performance earned him Times News All-Star recognition at wide receiver. Now a junior, Gothard returns as an important part of Jim Thorpe’s receiving corps while also contributing at cornerback.

BEN NEGLEY, PALMERTON

Junior • WR

Negley established himself as Palmerton’s leading receiver during his sophomore season, finishing with 26 catches for 320 yards and earning Times News All-Star recognition. Bombers coach Chris Walkowiak has praised Negley’s hands and ability to win contested catches. With experienced quarterbacks TK Gursky and TJ Weller returning, Negley should again be a prominent part of Palmerton’s passing game.

CHRIS WARD, PLEASANT VALLEY

Senior • RB/OLB

Ward made his presence felt in multiple phases last season. He led Pleasant Valley with 577 rushing yards on just 73 carries — an impressive 7.9 yards per attempt — and scored 11 total touchdowns. Ward also caught 20 passes for 217 yards and earned Times News All-Star recognition as both an athlete and linebacker. He returns as one of the Bears’ most experienced playmakers.

ACE SCHICKRAM, TAMAQUA

Junior • QB/DB

Schickram moves into a new role after earning Times News All-Star recognition as an athlete during his sophomore season. After playing receiver last fall, the 6-foot-1 junior takes over at quarterback and gives Tamaqua another athletic presence in the backfield. Coach Sam Bonner has praised Schickram’s offseason work, which included adding size and strength as he prepared for the move under center.