Local football scholar athletes announced, to be recognized at banquet next month
SHENANDOAH – The 64th class of football scholar athletes has been unveiled by the Schuylkill County chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
The scholar athletes demonstrated outstanding football performance, academic excellence, and school leadership, the chapter said.
Athletes were nominated from 14 schools.
They will be recognized at a banquet on Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit in Mar Lin.
Brayden Lutz, Shenandoah Valley
A four year member and three year starter of the Blue Devil football squad, Lutz is described as an exceptional leader on and off the field.
Lutz, of Shenandoah, played multiple positions including center, linebacker, defensive line, and defensive end, amassing 96 total tackles, 50 solo tackles, four sacks, 15 pancake blocks, three forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries.
He also excelled on the baseball diamond for the Devils.
Off the field, Lutz is in the top 10 of his class with a 98.85 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society.
In the community, Lutz volunteers with the Junior Blue Devils, has assisted with mulch laying at Memorial Park, and participates in class cleanup projects around town. He is also a delivery driver at Francesco’s and is a summer employee at the school district.
The son of Robert and Holly Mummey, Lutz plans to pursue a trade school education to either become a mechanic or an electrician.
Gavin Mentzer, North Schuylkill
Gavin Mentzer was a standout placekicker and punter for the North Schuylkill Spartans, starting all four years of high school and serving as a captain in his senior year.
Of Ashland, Mentzer was named to numerous All-State teams, including the Eastern PA Football All-State team three times, as well as first team all area three times and earned a spot on WNEP-TV 16’s Dream Team.
He converted 198 of 211 extra point attempts and 21 of 31 field goal attempts, including a career-long 51 yard attempt.
Mentzer’s 51-yard field goal:
On kickoffs, Mentzer recorded 114 touchbacks and self-recovered an onside kick. As a punter, he averaged 40.6 yards per punt, and 47 of 83 punts landed inside the 20.
He also converted a fake punt for a first down.
Off the gridiron and in the swimming pool, Mentzer is a three-time all-area swimmer, finishing runner-up in District 11 100-yard backstroke.
Academically, Mentzer has a 4.1 GPA and is in the Top 15% of his class.
In school, he is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, History Honor Society, and Science Honor Society, as well as treasurer for student council and an active member of Friends Forever, Pep club, Aveidum, Teens Against Tobacco, and Students Against Destructive Decisions.
He has assisted with Big Brothers Big Sisters programs and works as a lifeguard.
The son of Greg and Tara Mentzer, he has been accepted to numerous colleges and plans to continue his academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level.
Kyle Pollack, Mahanoy Area
Kyle Pollack embodies the spirit of a scholar-athlete at Mahanoy Area, the foundation chapter says, as he excels both on the football field and in the classroom.
A member of the Golden Bears football team for four years, Pollack, of Barnesville, was an integral part of the program, playing tight end, guard, offensive tackle, defensive tackle, linebacker and more, showcasing remarkable versatility.
Off the field, he is a member of the track and field team and wrestling team.
Academically, he stands at 11th in his class and is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Interact Club, Future Business Leaders of America, and Stage Crew for theater arts.
He assists with Helping Harvest and Meals on Wheels and works at Mountain Valley Golf Course and White Birch Golf Course.
The son of Marci Pehanick and Chris Pollack, he plans to attend college and major in engineering.
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