The awards just keep coming for Northwestern’s Eli Zimmerman.

This past Saturday, the senior standout received the prestigious 2025 Small School (Classes 1A-3A) Mr. PA Football Player of the Year.

From over 600 nominations overall being whittled down to 50 in each classification (small and big school), the field was then narrowed to 25 and finally 10.

After that process, votes from fans, high school coaches and the media were tabulated to produce a winner. Each group represented a third of the vote, and Zimmerman was tabbed the winner in the Small School Class. More than 197,000 votes were cast for the Mr. PA Football awards.

The outstanding Tiger, who was the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Football Player of the Year and also received the Lehigh Valley Small School Scholar-Athlete Award, led his team to a perfect 16-0 record and the Class 3A state title.

Zimmerman, who is headed to Bloomsburg University to continue his academic and athletic careers, has record-breaking statistics during the season. He rushed for 2,665 yards on just 248 carries for a staggering 10.7 yards per carry average, and caught 28 passes for 277 yards and four scores. Zimmerman scored a total of 38 touchdowns and 232 points. Six of those scores came on punt returns, where he averaged 34.4 yards per return.

On defense, he finished with 70 total tackles (30 solo) and a team-leading six interceptions.

Other Small School players that made the finals, and who Zimmerman beat out for the award, include Aiden Bliss, Port Allegany; Dayshaun Burnett, Imani Christian Academy; Jase Ferguson, Central Clarion; Madden Patrick, Danville; and Matt Sieg, Fort Cherry.

The speaker at the event, which was held at the Milton Hershey School, was Penn State assistant head coach Terry Smith.

In addition to Zimmerman being honored, District 11 had another person recognized. Jim Morgans, who coached at Allentown Central Catholic, Salisbury and Freedom, was named the 2025 “Mickey Minnich” Legendary Coach Award winner.

Morgans, over a 30-year career, had a career record of 283-137-1.