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 annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet in March 2024. 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 – Justus Miles, Defensive End from Whitehall High School had 7 total tackles, 6 of them for a loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and scored a touchdown. His team beat William Allen High School 53-0 to start the season 1-0. Justus was nominated by his head coach Andy Marino.
Week 2 – Jake Pukszyn, a sophomore Wide Receiver at Liberty High School, had 6 catches for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had 1 rush for 14 yards. On special teams he had 2 kickoff returns for 54 yards and one punt return for 3 yards. He was responsible for 213 total yards. Liberty beat East Stroudsburg North High School 46-13. Jake was nominated by his head coach Shawn Daignault.
Week 3 – Trey Tremba, a senior from Parkland High School, rushed for 222 yards. He also scored 4 touchdowns. His team beat Liberty High School 42-14. Trey was nominated by the NFFLVC Player of the Week Committee.
Week 4 – Matt Machalik, a senior quarterback from Palmerton Area High School, rushed 15 times for 319 yards and 5 rushing touchdowns. Matt passed for 121 yards and a touchdown as well. He accounted for 6 total touchdowns in the game, 440 total yards offensively and also completed 2 – 2 point conversions. His team beat Jim Thorpe 51-41. Matt now holds the single game rushing record for Palmerton Area High School. Matt was nominated by his head coach Chris Walkowiak.
Week 5 – Cade Sawyer, a senior running back from Southern Lehigh High School, scored 4 rushing touchdowns as his team beat Blue Mountain High School 41-12. Southern Lehigh remains undefeated through week 5.
Week 6 – John Wargo, a running back for Phillipsburg High School, rushed for 143 yards on 14 carries. He scored 2 touchdowns. On defense, John had a sack and 4 tackles. His team beat Hunterdon Central 21-7.
