The Oscars ceremony may be coming up this Sunday night, but the local high school football version of the Oscars ceremony was held at the Northampton Community Center the Sunday night before, and some of the area's brightest stars were in attendance. He left with a prestigious award in hand.
At the 64th National Football Foundation and University Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Banquet, Nazareth's Sean Kinney receives the Michael “Coach Gaut” Gardiner Award as the area's most outstanding lineman and Palmerton's Matt – Machalik was selected by Edward J. Watteau Small. School Scholar Athlete and Trey Tremba of Parkland was the Albert M. Benek Big School Scholar Athlete Award recipient.
Kinney, Machalik and Tremba were all-state selections by the Penn State football writers. Kinney heads to Lafayette this weekend in Hershey for his third PIAA wrestling title. Macharik, a record-breaking quarterback, will commit to Lehigh, and Tremba will leave Army West Point at the end of June.
Macharyk will face both Kinney and Tremba this season. Lehigh opens the season at Army on Aug. 30 and will face Lafayette on Nov. 23 in the 160th edition of college football's most played rivalry.
All three shine in their respective programs and in their respective communities.
“This is a very prestigious award and winning the Small School Scholar-Athlete Award is very special. I could not have won this award without my coaches, family, and teammates. . They're all great people' and great role models for me,” Machalik said. “They all push me so hard every day to be the best version of myself. I wouldn't be where I am today without them.”
Macharyk said he loves sports and wouldn't mind moving on to the next sport. He just finished his amazing basketball career of finishing with his 1,604 points.
Each award is based on 40% academic and athletic performance and 20% on extracurricular activities and leadership.
“You have to give back to the community,” he said. “They support you every day. Every Friday night, every game in the gym. Their support is through the roof. You have to give back to them. Academically, work hard in the books. You just have to put in the effort and have the same mindset you have on the football field or the basketball court. Your work ethic is important.”
Machalik finished his football career with 6,055 passing yards and 5,457 rushing yards, becoming the first player in state history to reach 6,000 passing yards and 5,000 rushing yards. He scored 95 career touchdowns, which ranks fourth all-time in District 11. In 2023, Machalik had 76 carries for 2,251 yards, 12.8 yards per attempt, and 35 rushing touchdowns. He completed 103 of 210 passes for 1,529 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Macharyk was an honor roll student and captain of both the basketball and football teams. He is a member of the student council, treasurer of the gridiron club, and a member of America's Future Business Leaders. He volunteers with the Bo Tkach Turkey Day Trot, youth summer camps, coaches youth soccer, and Trees in the Park.
He led the Blue Bombers to their first undefeated regular season since 1951 and the first 10-0 regular season in school history. They lost to state finalist Northwestern Lehigh in District 11 3A, finishing 12-1.
Parkland also finished 12-1, thanks in large part to Tremba's stellar performance as a senior. The Trojans won the EPC South and didn't lose until a thrilling 24-17 game against Nazareth in the District 11 6A final.
Tremba, voted EPC South Division Offensive MVP by the coaches, rushed for 1,844 yards, received 407 yards and scored 30 touchdowns (25 rushing, four receiving, and one punt return). He was awarded first-team EPC South All-Star and Special Teams MVP honors.
His big school honor capped off a great week for Parkland athletics as the Trojans' teams won the District 11 boys and girls basketball championships and swimming championships.
“I'm proud to be here, and of course my coaches and teammates have supported me and helped me a lot, and my parents have helped me get here,” Tremba said. “They inspired me to be a great student and athlete. I'm grateful to the National Soccer Foundation because this is a great event.”
Tremba's father, Matthew Tremba, is a former state police trooper and lieutenant, and her mother, Kelly, is a teacher and professional development facilitator at Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21.
“They both really inspired me,” he said. “They taught me to donate. I love doing things like Special Olympics and working with kids like that.”
He is scheduled to leave for West Point on June 30th, and while he knows it won't be easy, he's ready for the challenges ahead.
Kinney, who was dominant on both sides of the ball for District 11 6A champion Nazareth, has a more immediate challenge ahead. He took one night off from wrestling and then went back to preparing for a state championship appearance.
“I am honored that people think so highly of me and that I was chosen for this award.” [Gurdineer] This award is truly an honor,” Kinney said. “It was really cool to see all of these players. I haven't seen a lot of football players since the season ended. I played against Trey twice last season, but it's not going to be fun to play against Matt for the next four years. And they're obviously great players. It was really cool to see the talent that's in this room. I'm just grateful for everything Nazareth has done for me and I'm excited to go to College Hill. I’m really looking forward to that.”
Kinney's future college coach, John Troxell of Lafayette, was named Patriot League Coach of the Year and was the guest speaker at the banquet. Troxell led the Leopards to a 9-3 record, a co-championship in the Patriot League and a berth in the NCAA FCS playoffs.
Kinney, Tremba and Machalik were among 34 area high school candidates chosen by their respective coaches.
Other award winners included:
Jackson Matos-Baez, Allen. Nathan Schultz, Allentown Central Catholic; Noah Hillis, Bangor. Sammy Ayache, Catholic of Bethlehem. Ian Juica, Katasakua. Jordy Guzman, Dear Ruff. Aiden Perez, East Stroudsburg North; Jeremiah Delival, East Stroudsburg South. Colin Torres, Easton; Mario Landino, Emmaus. Ackylis Oyola, Executive Education; Gabriel Scott-DeCesare, Free. Noah Rotherhack, Jim Thorpe. Dylan Moyer, Leighton. Silas Risco, Liberty. AJ Slivka, Northampton. Chase Michael Moffitt, Northern Lehigh; Devon Hildebrand, Lehi Northwest; Danny Dano, Notre Dame – Green Pond. Kyle Kirsch, Palisades. Cale Elias Grimm, Penn Argill. Great Xavi, Phillipsburg. Aaron Roerig, Pleasant Valley; Ethan Jen, Pocono Mountain East; Ryder Bray, Pocono Mountain West. George Spann, Salisbury. Prince Alice, Saucon Valley. Jack Inglis, Southern Lehi; Stony Fuller Bay, Stroudsburg. Trey Dogmanitz, Whitehall and Marcel Days, Wilson area.
Candidates from local universities included Darin Blackwell of East Stroudsburg University; Tyler Holley, Kutztown University; Justin Mitala, Lafayette; Jalen Burbage, Lehigh; Colin Conway of Moravian and Griffin Zobel of Muhlenberg.