Among high school football fans, some of these juniors are already well-known. Others are about to make significant breakthroughs.
These 38 juniors, listed alphabetically, are expected to have a big influence this fall.
Juniors to watch
LB Jonathan Ayache, Catholic of Bethlehem
In recent seasons, Bethlehem Catholic has relied a lot on the Ayache family. Jonathan recorded 50 tackles last autumn, including 3.5 sacks and 4.5 TFLs. He has played both on the line and at the second level.
WR/DB Drew Boyd, Green Pond, Notre Dame
Boyd used the secondary to intimidate opposing quarterbacks. He recorded five interceptions (one pick-six) and forty-four tackles. In addition, he caught 26 passes for 281 yards and four touchdowns. He was selected to the All-Colonial first team.
Allentown Central Catholic quarterback Patrick Cahill
Cahill is starting his second season as the quarterback for Central Catholic. He completed 79 of 133 passes for 779 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore. On 99 carries, he gained 364 rushing yards.
Palisades WR/DB Lincoln Cook
As an underclassman, Cook led the Pirates in receiving. He caught 49 passes for 627 yards and five touchdowns. He kicked the house back as well. On defense, Cook contributed four interceptions and 29 tackles.
RB/DB Croizier Lukas, Lehighton
As a sophomore, Croizier, a District 11 2A wrestling medalist, led Lehighton’s ground offensive. He took 146 carries for 703 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, he was selected to the All-Colonial second team.
Zyaire Davis, WR/DB, Liberty
Davis’ strong finish to his sophomore campaign is encouraging. In Week 10 versus Freedom, he caught four passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns. In the end, he caught 17 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns.
WR/DB Dieruff and Derwyn Deris
For the Huskies, Deris is a versatile weapon. On the ground, in the air, and on kickoff and punt returns, he located the end zone. Last fall, Deris caught a spectacular late-game touchdown pass against E.S. North.
Tanner Dogmanits, QB/DB, Whitehall
During his first season as a Whitehall starter, Dogmanits was a dual threat. He gained 1,562 yards and eight touchdowns on 129 of 201 passes. On 102 carries, he also ran for 418 yards and nine touchdowns.
RB/WR/DB Northern Lehigh’s Chris Frame
Frame is a playmaker with several uses. He caught 22 passes, gaining 623 yards and seven touchdowns. He scored six touchdowns and gained 523 yards. He has eight interceptions in two seasons on defense. Last fall, he was named to the All-Area second team.
Allen and TeShon Gaynair, TE/DL
In his second season, Gaynair was one of the region’s top sackers. In addition to his 46 total tackles and 11 tackles for loss, he recorded six sacks. In addition, Gaynair caught 11 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown.
Gregory, RB Jeziah, Whitehall
Gregory, who led Bethlehem Catholic in rushing the previous year, has switched to Whitehall. As a sophomore, he caught 146 passes for 931 yards and nine touchdowns. He also added 32 yards from six receptions.
OL/DL Gretz, Dylan, Southern Lehigh
Gretz is among the Spartans’ impressive array of returning talent in the trenches. Last fall, he recorded two sacks, 5.5 TFLs, and 45 tackles. On offense, he was selected to the All-Colonial third team.
Johnson, Wilson, RB/LB
The previous two seasons, Johnson led the Warriors in tackles. In 2024, he recorded two sacks and 92 tackles. He rushed for 231 yards and a touchdown on offense. He was selected as an honorable mention for the entire area.
Lashawn Johnson, RB/LB, Freedom
Following a successful season finale, Johnson is expected to return as Freedom’s bell cow. Last fall, he carried 36 times for 309 yards and five touchdowns, including four in the last three games for Freedom.
DB Karetsky, Colin, Northern Lehigh
Karetsky finished among the regional leaders in interceptions in 2024. The Bulldog snared five interceptions as a sophomore. He also had 49 tackles. He was an All-Colonial third-team selection.
WR/LB Michael Lagowy, Northwestern Lehigh
Lagowy made three receptions in the state final last season for the Tigers. He totaled 11 receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Lagowy added 43 tackles and two interceptions.
RB/LB TJ Lawrence, Parkland
Lawrence is the region s most productive member of the Class of 2027. He rushed for 1,151 yards and 13 touchdowns last fall. He paced Parkland with 82 tackles (seven TFLs). He was an All-Area first-teamer.
WR/DB Kolton Maney, Hackettstown
Maney had a productive season on both sides of the ball as a sophomore. Maney made 15 receptions for 292 yards and four touchdowns. He accumulated 43 tackles, including three tackles for loss, on defense.
QB Jack Mitchell, Stroudsburg
Mitchell split time under center for the Mountaineers last season and posted a solid TD-to-INT ratio. The signal-caller completed 68 of 117 attempts for 911 yards with nine touchdowns and just two picks.
DB Alexander Moren, Salisbury
Moren was the area s leading ballhawk as a sophomore, grabbing eight interceptions. He added 26 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He was an All-Area honorable mention selection.
WR/DB Zachary Paseler, North Warren
Paseler was North Warren s leading receiver in 2024. He made 18 catches for a team-best 343 yards and two touchdowns. Paseler also paced the team with three interceptions on defense. He threw a TD, too.
TE/LB Alex Perez, East Stroudsburg South
Perez scored on both sides of the ball during his sophomore campaign. He grabbed 25 receptions for 255 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, he had 45 tackles (four TFLs) and recovered a fumble for a TD.
QB/P Aiden Reilly, Catasauqua
Reilly s time as a starter got off to a sizzling start with four TD passes in the opener. He finished 88-for-158 with 1,306 yards and 12 touchdowns. He rushed for 234 yards and two scores on 73 carries.
QB/DB Braden Rohn, Saucon Valley
Rohn is a critical piece on O and D. Last year, he was 86 of 141 for 1,283 yards and 18 TDs. He ran for 491 yards and six TDs. He had 46 tackles and two INTs. He was an All-Area honorable mention pick.
QB Colton Sams, Southern Lehigh
Sams had a record-setting sophomore campaign en route to the PIAA semifinals. He threw for a program-best 2,999 yards and 34 TDs on 183 of 288 passing. He was an All-State selection in 2024.
RB/LB Jay Santos, Emmaus
Santos will help the Green Hornets replace a 1,300-yard rusher. Santos tallied 413 yards and five touchdowns on 53 carries last season. He added 21 tackles, including four tackles for loss, on defense.
DL Joshua Scherer, Notre Dame-Green Pond
Scherer battled well at the line of scrimmage as an underclassman. He registered 55 tackles (32 solo), including seven tackles for loss and a sack, in 2024. He was an All-Colonial second-team selection.
DL Billy Slattery, Northern Lehigh
Slattery was another component of Northern Lehigh s youth movement last season. He accumulated 55 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, as a sophomore. He tied the team lead with three sacks.
QB Garrett Smoyer, Northern Lehigh
Smoyer took a significant step forward during his second varsity season with the Bulldogs. He completed 71 of 128 passes for 1,253 yards and 12 touchdowns. He rushed for 74 yards and four touchdowns.
WR/DB Jonathan Striba, Notre Dame-Green Pond
Striba excels in the backfield or out wide. He had more than 1,000 all-purpose yards, with 320 yards and eight TDs rushing and 753 yards and six TDs receiving. He was an All-Area honorable mention pick.
RB/DB Naquan Thomason, Parkland
Thomason was a secret weapon on special teams, blocking three punts during his sophomore season. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Offensively, he took 80 carries for 441 yards and four scores.
WR/DB Carter Vassa, Bethlehem Catholic
Vassa has posted 42 receptions in each of the last two seasons. He has 1,379 career receiving yards. Vassa added 34 tackles and two interceptions on defense last fall. He was an All-Area third-team selection.
RB/DB Jacob Walkowiak, Palmerton
Walkowiak was third on his team in tackles from his free safety spot in 2024. He made 57 stops, including four tackles for loss. Walkowiak also forced a pair of fumbles and recovered a fumble.
RB/LB/P Chris Ward, Pleasant Valley
Ward was a bright spot during a difficult season for the Bears. He was an All-Eastern Pennsylvania Conference second-team pick as a punter. Ward was a Monroe Division all-star at punter and linebacker.
OL/DL Mason Weber, Emmaus
Weber, who is 6-foot-2 and 265 pounds, was part of an offensive line that cleared the way for 2,678 yards and 38 touchdowns on the ground last fall. He was an All-Area honorable mention selection.
ATH/DB Elijah White, Belvidere
White made 19 catches in 2024 and 11 were for TDs. He finished with 421 receiving yards. He also took a kickoff for a score. Defensively, he had 42 tackles and three INTs. He was an All-Area second-teamer.
RB/LB Brady Zimmerman, Northwestern Lehigh
Zimmerman received All-State honors during his first season as a starter. He made 129 tackles, including seven TFLs and three sacks, for the PIAA champs. He added three fumbles recoveries and three INTs.
WR/DB Lance Zuercher, Nazareth
Zuercher had a very productive debut season, amassing 67 tackles (30 solo) for the Blue Eagles. He had a gigantic game in a win over Liberty, making 16 tackles, recovering a fumble and snaring two picks.
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Kyle Craig may be reached [email protected].
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