Palmerton’s Cole Serfass has been selected to the Pennsylvania Football Writer’s Class 2A All-State Team at the defensive athletic position.

Serfass, a sophomore who played middle linebacker on defense and multiple positions - including quarterback - on offense, was the only Times News area player to receive All-State honors in the Class 1A, 2A and 3A classes which were released Tuesday. The Class 4A, 5A and 6A teams were to be announced today.

The 6-2, 200-pound starter was third on the Blue Bombers with 68 total tackles and second with 38 solo tackles. He also had four takedowns behind the line of scrimmage.

On the offensive side of the ball, Serfass was Palmerton’s leading ground gainer (and fourth overall in the Times News area) with 964 rushing yards, good for 6.84 yards per carry. He also ran for 11 touchdowns. At quarterback, he completed 21 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns.

Despite a 2-4 regular season record, Serfass led the third-seeded Bombers to a 21-14 victory over Pen Argyl in a District 11 quarterfinal playoff game before they lost to Northern Lehigh in the semis.

Palmerton head coach Chris Walkowiak praised Serfass for being one of the best athletes he’s seen in his 10 years at the helm of Bomber football.

“Cole’s a very versatile player with the perfect mindset to play middle linebacker and quarterback,” said Walkowiak. “He has a tremendous football IQ, especially for being so young. Consider, too, that he missed most of his freshman season with an injury and that makes this great honor even more impressive.”

Besides playing quarterback, Serfass has been a running back and a wide receiver as Walkowiak’s game planning includes getting his star player the ball as much as he can.

“Cole will run over a tackler to get a yard, but he can take it to the house with his deceptive speed as well.”

On defense, his coach said, “he’s a hard-nosed kid” who can make the verbal calls from his linebacker position just as he can when he’s under center on offense.

“Cole is the heart and soul of our defense,” said Walkowiak. “He gets off his blocks well and is always around the football. He’s a selfless kid, too, and he makes everyone around him a better player.”

He’s “calm and cool” during the intensity of the game and according to his coach, he’s always where he‘s supposed to be after the ball has been snapped.

“Cole has great instincts. He’s a reactive player and gets to the ball carrier without thinking.”

Walkowiak believes that as Serfass continues to grow, college scouts will see him as an H-back or tight end on offense, or a linebacker or a defensive end on defense. His second-year star also has many intangibles to add to his college football recruitment resume.

“Cole brings so much to the table,” said Walkowiak. “He’s respectful. Everything is ‘yes sir or no sir.’ His work ethic is outstanding, and he’s a sponge for absorbing the more subtle parts of the game.”

Walkowiak is excited to see his “very mature” athlete get even better over the next two years.

“With more repetitions, Cole will fine-tune his skills, and once the game slows down for him, he will elevate his play and have confidence in trusting his instincts.”