Their play spoke volumes during the season.

Week after week, they dominated with their production on the field.

Jim Thorpe senior Dylan Dailey and Tamaqua junior Nate Boyle were hard to miss in 2018.

They garnered more attention when the 2018 Pennsylvania Football Writers All-State teams were released on Friday when both were selected to the Class 3A squad.

Dailey (defensive line) was honored for the second straight year, while Boyle (athlete) was selected to the all-state team for the first time.

“I’m extremely proud of Dylan,” said Olympians’ head coach Mark Rosenberger. “It doesn’t surprise me because of all the hard work that he puts into being a superior athlete. He’s extremely dedicated to the weight room. He’s the first in the weight room, last one to leave type of kid. He really puts the time in during the offseason to perfect his craft of being a football player.”

Raiders’ mentor Sam Bonner was equally as lavish in his praise of Boyle.

“It’s well-deserved,” said Bonner. “I’ve been saying all year that he’s an all-around type of player that’s done everything for us, and he’s been doing it for the last three years.”

Both Boyle and Dailey were phenomenal in 2018.

Boyle led the area with 27 touchdowns. He was fifth in the area with 899 yards rushing on 105 carries, averaging 8.56 yards per carry.

The junior had 22 rushing touchdowns. He added 615 yards receiving on 41 catches with four scores. Boyle also had a 60-yard punt return for a score in Week 4 against Panther Valley.

“I thought he had a real special year,” said Bonner. “Everything from extra points, to leading the team in receiving, to almost having 1,000 yards (rushing) as not our feature back. He was kind of our power-reverse guy, but he got some carries down on the goal line and stuff like that.

“Also breaking the school record for touchdowns (in a season). The kid had a great year. The best thing is, we have him back (next year).”

Boyle also led a Tamaqua defense, which started the season with five straight shutouts and allowed just 8.5 points per game, with 77 tackles, including five for loss. He also had three interceptions, which was tied for the team lead.

“Aside from kicking extra points (49-for-53), catching the ball, running the ball, and leading the team in tackles, he also long snaps on punts,” said Bonner. “And he goes down and led the team in special teams tackles.

“In the last game, I said. ‘Did you come off the field this game?’ He said, ‘Coach, I haven’t come off the field for the last 10 weeks.’ And you wouldn’t know it. He never complains about it.”

Boyle wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It means a lot. I try to work very hard all the time,” he said. “The team had a great season this year. It’s great that I can contribute to the team.

“I always will do what the team needs me to do, and what coach asks me to do.”

Dailey was again dominant for the Red Swarm, racking up 63 total tackles. He had 25 tackles for loss, which led the Olympians. Dailey also led the team with 11 quarterback hurries and four fumble recoveries.

The senior also handled punting duties for the Olympians, pinning six inside the 20-yard line and averaging 36.8 yards per punt with a long of 48.

“He brings the presence of a strong work ethic,” said Rosenberger. “When one of the top players on your team is also one of the hardest workers on your team, it makes it pretty easy for coaches to get kids to buy into the program, and what you’re doing. On top of that, he’s an outstanding leader and works extremely hard in the classroom. He’s a very respectful and polite young man. He’s just a great character kid on and off the field.

“He loves defense. When it comes time for the defensive practice, he’s the loudest one. He’s the first one there, and he’s ready to go. He brings that intensity each and every day at practice.”

One of the team’s captains, Dailey was the linchpin on a Jim Thorpe defense that allowed an area-best 6.1 points per game. The Olympians gave up just 114.8 yards per game, which also led the area. JT, which opened the year with four straight shutouts, gave up just 403 rushing yards, again tops in the area.

“Our defense stood out because every single person was getting after it,” said Dailey. “We worked really hard all summer, just pushing each other.”

Jim Thorpe and Tamaqua both finished the season 9-2, and advanced to the semifinals of the District 11 Class 3A playoffs.