Its the final Friday before the PIAA high school football season kicks off, and that feels like the perfect time to reveal lehighvalleylive.com s Must-See 23.
The preseason watch list highlights the returning players that fans should buy a ticket for this fall.
There are deserving players outside this countdown, of course, and new stars will make their presence felt shortly.
Until then, here are standouts we think will thrive under the varsity lights.
23.
So.
RB/LB TJ Lawrence, Parkland 2023 stats: 41 carries, 321 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs; 68 tackles, 6 TFLs, 1 INT.
Few freshmen have the physicality to play linebacker in the EPC; even fewer could lead the EPC South Division champion in tackles.
Thats exactly what Lawrence did in his debut campaign.
Hes part of Parklands small group of returning starters and should see an increase in his offensive duties.
22.
Sr.
WR/DB Felix Matos, Phillipsburg 2023 stats: 19 carries, 129 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs, 15 receptions, 203 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD; 34 tackles, 3 INTs.
Matos had a very nice spring on the baseball diamond and will trying to carry that momentum into his second and final season at Maloney Stadium.
He transferred to Pburg from Bergen Catholic prior to last fall, but hes all garnet and gray now and should serve as a two-way playmaker.
21.
Sr.
LB Carlos Perez, Bethlehem Catholic 2023 stats: 93 tackles, 5 sacks.
Listed at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Perez packs a punch at linebacker that belies those measurements.
He was selected to the first-team defense by the EPC South Divisions coaches.
Perezs sack numbers are impressive considering hes coming from the inside and not the edge.
19.
Jr.
RB Gabe Green, Liberty 2023 stats: 178 carries, 826 rushing yards, 11 rushing TDs; 13 receptions, 111 receiving yards.
Green announced his presence last fall with nearly 200 rushing yards in a season-opening win over Dieruff.
He wont sneak up on any opponent this year.
With four starting offensive linemen (and a tight end) returning, however, Green is in position to improve upon his sophomore campaign.
20.
Sr.
WR/DB Jack Robertson, Saucon Valley 2023 stats: 19 carries, 102 rushing yards, 40 receptions, 594 receiving yards, 10 receiving TDs; 50 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 3 INTs; 1 punt return TD.
Whether its the basketball court or football field, Robertson is dangerous with the ball in his hands.
He has more than 1,100 career receiving yards for the Panthers and can make an impact in the return game, too.
Hes also a ball hawk on defense with nine career picks to his name.
18.
Jr.
OL/DL Logan Anthony, Palmerton 2023 stats: 59 tackles, 16 TFLs, 4 sacks, 3 PBUs.
Anthony was a big very literally piece of Palmertons 12-win season in 2023.
The 6-foot-4, 315-pound lineman registered 61 pancake blocks on offense and was an All-Colonial League first-team pick on defense last fall.
Anthony holds scholarship offers from Temple and Kent State.
17.
Jr.
QB Shane Leh, Northwestern Lehigh 2023 stats: 127-for-202 passing, 1,811 passing yards, 24 passing TDs, 62 carries, 406 rushing yards, 9 rushing TDs.
Quarterbacking your team to an appearance in the state final is no small task for a sophomore.
Leh was excellent during his first campaign as a starter and had a stellar TD-to-INT ratio (24 to 7).
The signal-caller is also a threat with his legs, particularly around the goal line.
16.
Sr.
WR/DB Jasir Frutchey, Easton 2023 stats: 34 receptions, 476 receiving yards, 6 receiving TDs; 36 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 INTs.
At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds Frutchey has been a gigantic cornerback for the Red Rovers.
His knack for forcing fumbles can probably be attributed to ball-carriers not expecting to take such a wallop on the perimeter.
At wide receiver, hes a serious matchup problem for opposing defenses.
15.
Sr.
OL/DL Bryer Reichard, Northwestern Lehigh 2023 stats: 86 tackles, 10 sacks, 1 INT.
Reichard drew a laundry list of accolades for his role in Northwesterns run to the PIAA final.
The 6-foot-4, 270-pound lineman led the area in sacks and was named to the lehighvalleylive.com All-Area first team and the 3A All-State squad.
Hes invaluable for the Tigers in the trenches.
14.
So.
WR/DB Carter Vassa, Bethlehem Catholic 2023 stats: 42 receptions, 792 receiving yards, 8 receiving TDs; 1 INT.
Vassa set a District 11 freshman record with his 792 receiving yards.
The old mark was held by Jahan Dotson you know, the guy who plays for the Washington Commanders now.
Vassa doesnt have to worry about chemistry with his QB since his older brother, Cayden, is under center for BC.
13.
Jr.
QB Cayden Vassa, Bethlehem Catholic 2023 stats: 90-for-208 passing, 1,529 passing yards, 18 passing TDs, 7 INTs; 68 carries, 378 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs.
Probably best not to keep the brothers too far apart on this list.
The older Vassa took the reins of the Golden Hawks as a first-year starter and opened the season with a five-game winning streak.
He threw three touchdowns in Becahis victory over rival Central in the D-11 4A final.
12.
Sr.
WR/DB Rafael Terrero, Emmaus 2023 stats: 31 receptions, 389 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs; 47 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 5 INTs.
Terrero was hampered by a leg injury at the start of last season but still managed to be productive for the Green Hornets.
His five interceptions were tied for the most in the EPC South Division.
The senior committed to Kent State, where hell play linebacker, during the offseason.
11.
Sr.
WR/LB Justin Peluso, Freedom 2023 stats: 18 receptions, 323 receiving yards, 4 receiving TDs; 60 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 2 INTs.
Peluso showcases his athleticism from his outside linebacker spot.
The Patriot has the speed to rush off the edge or drop into coverage, and he has the strength to deliver a big hit.
He was an EPC South first-team all-star.
Hes another piece of Lafayette Colleges local recruiting boom.
10.
Sr.
RB/LB Carter Troxell, Whitehall 2023 stats: 98 carries, 496 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs; 92 tackles, 18 TFLs, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 scoop-and-score, 1 INT.
Whitehall uses the hashtag #ZephyrTough on social media and that definitely describes Troxell .
The 5-foot-11, 210-pound linebacker is approaching 200 career tackles.
Hes not just a thumper, however.
The senior has seven career interceptions.
Hes also tough to bring down on offense.
9.
Sr.
QB Jett Genovese, Phillipsburg 2023 stats: 88-for-160 passing, 1,351 passing yards, 14 passing TDs, 4 INTs, 54 carries, 186 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs.
Genovese accumulated nearly identical statistics during his first two seasons as the Stateliners starting quarterback.
A healthy senior campaign should yield bigger outputs since Pburg has the personnel to create explosive plays.
The Liners are 20-3 in games where Genovese has played.
8.
Jr.
WR/DB Jake Pukszyn, Liberty 2023 stats: 45 catches, 545 receiving yards, 7 receiving TDs.
Pukszyn made an immediate impact when he returned to the gridiron as a sophomore.
The Hurricane, who also shines on the basketball court, is a quarterbacks dream with his ability to make contested catches and attack the ball in the air.
Expect an increase in production this fall.
7.
Sr.
RB/DB Eli Zimmerman, Northwestern Lehigh 2023 stats: 52 carries, 490 rushing yards, 6 rushing TDs, 5 receptions, 45 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs; 57 tackles, 11 PBUs, 2 fumble recoveries, 10 INTs, 1 pick-six, 1 punt return TD.
Why, you may ask, did quarterbacks continue to throw the ball anywhere in Zimmermans direction? Thats a fine question, but one we cant answer.
Zimmerman intercepted a pass in 10 of the Tigers 16 games.
He can also create a spark out of the offensive backfield or as a returner.
6.
Sr.
WR/DB Caleb Newsome, Nazareth 2023 stats: 30 receptions, 564 receiving yards, 8 receiving TDs; 22 tackles, 5 PBUs, 1 INT.
The speedy Newsome can challenge any defense vertically, which he displayed by averaging 18.8 yards per catch.
With the graduation of Nazareths all-time leader in receiving yards, Newsome will have many, many more targets heading his direction.
Hes committed to Lafayette College.
5.
Sr.
OL/DL Braheem Battles, Allentown Central Catholic 2023 stats: 32.5 tackles, 1 sack.
Battles statistical output doesnt appropriately quantify his defensive effect.
Hes certain to consistently draw extra attention from opposing offensive lines.
Hes also the lynchpin of the Vikings O-line.
The 6-foot-3, 325-pound lineman is committed to the University of Maryland.
4.
Jr.
RB/DB Marquez Wimberly, Nazareth 2023 stats: 115 carries, 642 rushing yards, 10 rushing TDs, 12 receptions, 147 receiving yards; 66 tackles, 13 PBUs, 1 INT.
Wimberly reportedly had a very successful offseason in the weight room.
He added muscle for the increase in touches hell see this fall.
As his tackling numbers indicate, the junior isnt a cornerback whos afraid of contact.
He has Power 4 offers from West Virginia and Syracuse.
3.
Sr.
WR/DB Matthew Scerbo Jr., Phillipsburg 2023 stats: 45 receptions, 718 receiving yards, 6 receiving TDs, 1 kickoff return TD.
Scerbo had a fantastic basketball season, becoming a member of the five-person All-Area hoops first team.
If he shows similar growth on the gridiron, defenses wont be able to contain him.
The 6-foot-2 wideout wont lose many jump-balls.
Scerbo has a handful of Division I FCS offers.
2.
Jr.
QB Peyton Falzone, Nazareth 2023 stats: 171-for-280 passing, 2,528 passing yards, 19 passing TDs, 4 INTs, 65 carries, 440 rushing yards, 11 rushing TDs.
Falzone wowed local fans during his sophomore year and then impressed college coaches during the offseason camp circuit.
The result was a commitment to Virginia Tech.
Now, the 6-foot-5 mobile gunslinger will have to lead a Blue Eagles team thats very short on experience.
1.
Sr.
WR/DB Andrew Olesh, Southern Lehigh 2023 stats: 53 receptions, 973 receiving yards, 10 receiving TDs; 45 tackles, 2 PBUs, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 INTs.
Its not often that recruits from the Colonial League or this section of the state draw the sort of interest that Olesh garnered.
The 6-foot-5 Michigan commit has a unique skill for his size.
The word mismatch is an understatement.
Hes very valuable for the Spartans defense, too.
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