Northwestern’s Eli Zimmerman, who set numerous school records and received plenty of awards throughout the football season and immediately after, received another prestigious honor this past Sunday.

Zimmerman — the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Football Player of the Year and the PFN Coaches-Select 3A Player of the Year who also led his team to a state championship — received the Edward J. Watto scholar-athlete award for small schools, which includes classes 1A-4A, at the annual National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Lehigh Valley Chapter’s Scholar-Athlete banquet.

A total of 34 high schools were represented by their named scholar-athletes, while six colleges from the Lehigh Valley were also represented at the event, which was held at the Northampton Community Banquet Center.

Other area players that were nominated by their respective schools were Jim Thorpe’s Justin Yescavage, Lehighton’s Devin Armbruster, Northern Lehigh’s Reese Lipsky, Palmerton’s Aiden Ortiz and Pleasant Valley’s Brady Cerrone.

“I would say I was pretty shocked,” said Zimmerman about winning. “Definitely when I filled out the application I didn’t expect to be the winner out of everybody, because there were a lot of academically strong people at the banquet. It was cool, though.”

The Tiger standout might have been the only one surprised, as his biography made him a definite favorite.

The 5-8, 165-pound running back and safety is in the top 20 percent of his class with a GPA of 4.0 or greater, is an Honor Roll student, a member of both the National Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society.

While his grades are solid, his extra curricular activities are also impressive as he is a member of the Leo Club, a PIAA Junior Referee and Umpire, Colonial League Leadership Representative, and participates in baseball and basketball.

He also volunteers with the Germansville Fire Company, the Northwestern Youth Athletic Association, and is active in his church.

So, how does he manage everything?

“A lot of my schoolwork stuff I just try to get done in school,” he said. “That gives me less time to have to do those things at home, so I don’t have to worry about that, and then I can just focus on the sports and the other things that I do in my life, so honestly that’s how I try to manage my time.

“My favorite class right now that I have is early childhood education. Basically I go over to the middle school and get to work with middle schoolers and social studies, so that’s probably my favorite class right now. Last semester, I had fun in prob and stats.”

Zimmerman will always have lasting memories of his senior season, which now includes a $2,000 scholarship with the latest award. The award is based on 40 percent athletic achievement, 40 percent academics and 20 percent extracurricular activities.

“Going into the season, I really didn’t expect to do as well as I did,” said Zimmerman. “I mean, we expected to have a great season as a team, but me personally, did not expect the type of numbers that I put up.”

Those numbers included 2,665 rushing yards, a 10.7 yard per carry average, 38 touchdowns, 232 points, 620 punt return yards and six punt return touchdowns.

Zimmerman will be taking his talents to Bloomsburg University, and maybe someday he’ll be teaching a future football player and scholar-athlete.

“I’ll be majoring in education, not sure if it’s going to be elementary or high school or middle school yet. I think Bloom has a pretty good program there, so I can kind of make my path the way I want it to be, which is also going to be pretty nice.”

Bios of the other local players are as follows:

Justin Yescavage, Jim Thorpe

A 6-2, 200-pounnd wide receiver, Yescavage ranks in the top 20 percent of his class, with a GPA of 4.0 or greater. He is an Honor Roll student, served as a team captain, and is a Class Officer. He earned All-League Second-Team offensive honors. He is a member of Student Council, the Rotary Club, Spanish Club, and participates in track and field. He is a Special Needs Student volunteer and is active in his Church.

Devin Armbruster, Lehighton

A 5-8, 175-pound tight end and linebacker, Armbruster ranks in the top 28 percent of his class, with a GPA of 3.60. He is an Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society. He participates in various school sponsored clubs and activities. He is active in his community.

Reese Lipsky, Northern Lehigh

A 5-10, 175-pound wide receiver and defensive back, Lipsky ranks in the top 15 percent of his class, with a GPA of 4.0 or greater. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, and served as a team captain. He is a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions. He volunteers with youth baseball camps and assists at the Elementary School. He plans to attend college and major in Business Management.

Aidan Ortiz, Palmerton

A 5-9, 160-pound linebacker and wide receiver, Ortiz ranks in the top 15 percent of his class, with a GPA of 4.0 or greater. He is an Honor Roll student and served as a team captain. He volunteers with the Bo Tkach Foundation Turkey Day Trot, Operation Santa Claus Toy Drive, Palmerton youth football and wrestling camps, and the Community Clean-Up. He is employed at Country Junction in Lehighton.

Brady Cerrone, Pleasant Valley

A 6-0, 200-pound center, Cerrone ranks in the top 12 percent of his class, with a GPA of 4.0 or greater. He is an Honor Roll student, National Honor Society member, Distinguished Honor Roll student, and an EPC Scholar Athlete nominee. He participates in the Mini THON/Leo Club, Aevidum, and helps run assemblies and student sections at sporting events. He volunteers with Special Olympics, the Food Pantry, American Legion, Valor House, Ronald McDonald House, youth sports camps, and various church activities.