The Schuylkill County Football Scholar Athletes banquet will be held on Sunday, April 7 at 5 p.m. at Hillcrest Hall in Minersville.

Schuylkill Chapter 25 of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame will honor 14 student athletes this year.

Three area football players — Zach Boyer of Marian, Chris Hoover of Panther Valley and Matt Amodea of Tamaqua — will be representing their schools at the event.

Following are the bios of the local scholar athletes:

Zachary Boyer,

Marian

A 5-10, 190-pounder, Boyer played fullback, noseguard, linebacker and special teams for the Colts. Boyer recorded 104 tackles his senior year and was selected a Time News All Star linebacker.

Vice President of the National Honor Society, he has a 98 academic average, and has highest average awards in math, science, English, social science, and Spanish.

Boyer is also a member of the Spanish National Honor Society and the Future Business Leaders of America. He received the Outstanding Service Award from St. John XXIII Parish on Tamaqua, where he serves as a Eucharistic Minister.

He will attend Catholic University on a full scholarship with a dual major in Criminology and Political Science.

The son of Bill and Lori Boyer of Tamaqua, Boyer also has future plans to enroll in Law School.

Christopher Hoover,

Panther Valley

Hoover is a 6-1, 230-pounder who played offensive guard and defensive tackle for the Panthers, leading the team in tackles and interceptions.

An excellent student with a 95 academic average, Hoover ranks ninth in his class and received the Merit Presidential Scholarship.

Hoover is a member of the National Honor Society, and takes Advanced Placement classes in chemistry, literature, U.S. history, and computer science.

Hoover is a member of the Student Council, the Recycling Club and is a volunteer at the firehouse.

The son of Melissa Hoover of Lansford, he plans to attend Moravian College or Penn State University.

Matthew Amodea,

Tamaqua 

A 6-2, 235-pound, three-year starter and letterman for the Blue Raiders, Amodea played offensive and defensive tackle and defensive end.

Among the football awards Amodea received this season were: Times News Lineman of the Year, WPPA Lineman of the Year, SCFCA Offensive Lineman of the Year, and Schuylkill League Offensive Lineman of the Year.

In addition to football, Amodea is a standout member of the Tamaqua track team, where his career highlights include a first-place finish in the shot put at the Breslin Relays, and third-place finishes in the shot put at both the Breslin Invitational and the Schuylkill League championships.

Amodea also excelled in the classroom, where he ranks third in a class of 141. He is a member of the honor society in English, math, science, and Spanish. In addition, he captured first place at both the Tamaqua High School and Penn State science fairs. Amodea is also a volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

A member of the National Honor Society, President of the Science Honor Society, and class treasurer; the son of Jason and Lydia Amodea has been offered a scholarship to attend Penn State Hazleton, where he plans to major in Robotic Engineering.