For Immediate Release: Each week the National Football Foundation – Lehigh Valley Chapter, selects a high school football player of the week from its 34 local high schools. Players are listed below and will be our guests at the 65th Annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet on March 2, 2025. Head Varsity Coaches are encouraged to nominate players worthy of P.O.T.W consideration to the NFFLVC by Monday 5:00pm each week.
WEEK 1 – Matt Bodnar, a Junior Quarterback from Notre Dame Green Pond High School, had 37 completions on 49 attempts for 604 yards passing and 7 touchdowns. In addition, he rushed for an 8th touchdown. All statistics are school records. His team beat Garden Spot 71-64. Matt was nominated by his head coach, Phil Stambaugh.
WEEK 2 – Eli Zimmerman, a Senior Running Back and Safety for Northwestern Lehigh High School rushed 2 times for 89 yards for 2 touchdowns. He added 1 reception for 9 yards for a touchdown. He had 1 punt return for 43 yards and resulted in a touchdown which ties him with Northwestern Lehigh’s all-time record holder, Coach Josh Snyder, with 3 career total punt returns for touchdowns. On defense he had an interception. The interception (14th overall) ties him with Coach Josh Snyder for second place on the all-time Northwestern Lehigh records list. Eli only played in the 1st Quarter and the first play of the 2nd Quarter and did not re-enter the remaining part of the game. Northwestern Lehigh High School beat Wilson Area High School 47-0. Eli was nominated by his head coach, Josh Snyder.
WEEK 3 – Peyton Falzone, a Junior Quarterback from Nazareth Area High School, threw for 255 total yards and 4 touchdowns. Touchdown passes were from 52, 66, 35, and 43 yards. In addition, he ran for 79 yards with 1 rushing touchdown. The touchdown run was from 50 yards. While punting, his best was for 64 yards. His team beat Wilson High School (West Lawn) 35-31 to move to 3-0. Peyton was nominated by assistant coach Rob Petrosky.
WEEK 4 – Ivan Laubach, a Junior Quarterback from East Stroudsburg South High School, completed 14 passes for 278 yards on 21 attempts for 3 touchdowns. His longest was 44 yards. His team beat William Allen High School 54-20. East Stroudsburg South improved to a 3-1 record. Ivan was nominated by the NFFLVC Committee.
WEEK 5 – Will Day, a Senior Running Back/Defensive Back from Easton Area High School, rushed 23 times for 156 yards and 1 touchdown. Will also added 3 receptions for 24 yards and 1 touchdown. On defense, he had 3 solo tackles, 2 assisted tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, and 1 interception that stopped Emmaus High School in overtime. Easton moved to 4-1 and his team beat Emmaus 28-21 in overtime. Will was nominated by the NFFLVC Committee.
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters in 47 states, NFF programs include the selection and induction of members of the College Football Hall of Fame; the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta; Future For Football; The William V. Campbell Trophy; the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments; the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Award; and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. The Lehigh Valley Chapter is the 3rd oldest in the United States while receiving its chapter charter in 1961.
