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.
WEEK 6 – Jack Robertson, a Senior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back for Saucon Valley High School, had 3 receptions for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 62-14 win vs Catasauqua. Jack only played in the 1st and 2nd quarters and did not reenter the game. Jack broke 3 career records at Saucon Valley High School and is now the all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in a career. Jack serves as the team’s leading receiver, leader in interceptions, kick/punt returner, kicker, and punter and is an integral part of the team starting 5-1. Jack was nominated by his head coach Anthony Brinkley.
WEEK 7 – Ryan Roeder, a Senior Outside Linebacker from Freedom High School, had 8 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, and a safety in their game vs. Bethlehem Catholic High School. Freedom won 24-3 and move to a 7-0 record and ranked 6th in Pennsylvania. Ryan was nominated by the NFFLVC Committee.
WEEK 8 – Felix Matos, a Senior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back for Phillipsburg High School, had 6 total touchdowns, 5 were from rushing on 12 carries for 168 yards and 1 on a fumble recovery on a field goal block. In addition, he had 4 receptions for 61 yards. Phillipsburg (5-1) beat St. Joseph’s – Metuchen (previously undefeated) 49-14. Felix was nominated by the NFFLVC Committee.
