The 54th annual Schuylkill County Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Banquet will be held Sunday, April 12, beginning at 5 p.m. at Hillcrest Hall, Minersville.
Tickets for the event cost $25 per person and are available by calling chapter members Dave Holley at (570) 385-3509, Tim Demko at (570) 205-7580, Jim Miller at (717) 647-2722, Andy Smarkanic at (570) 874-0483 or Mike Hromyak at (570) 668-0201.
Here’s a look at this year’s scholar-athletes:
Christian Gosch
Blue Mountain
Gosch, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound running back/linebacker, helped the Eagles capture the 2014 Eastern Conference Class AAA championship.
A two-year starter, Gosch averaged 5.5 yards per carry during his senior season and scored seven touchdowns. He was also a four-year member of the wrestling program and participated in track and field for one year.
A student council representative and class president for four years, he was also a member of the history, language and English honor societies. He was a member of the Varsity Club and participated in the Lions Club litter cleanup, Orwigsburg food pantry, Make-A-Wish benefit dinner and toy drive.
The son of Doug and Heather Gosch, Orwigsburg, Christian is ranked in the top 17 percent of his class and will attend the United States Coast Guard Academy to major in engineering.
Corbin White
Mahanoy Area
A 6-2, 175-pound wide receiver, linebacker and defensive end, White was a three-year member of the Golden Bears’ program.
White was selected to the 2014 SCFCA North all-star team. He is also a four-year member of the wrestling program.
An honors student, White is a four-year member of the INTERACT and Spanish clubs, participated in the Meals on Wheels program and is enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves.
The son of Michael and Ioana White, Barnesville, Corbin ranks in the top 18 percent of his class. He will attend Wilkes University on a presidential scholarship to major in accounting.
Matthew Karnish
Marian
Karnish was a two-year starter and four-year member of the Colts’ program, playing wide receiver and defensive back for the District 11 Class A runners-up.
The 5-9, 150-pounder was an Anthracite Football League second-team selection at defensive back and selected to the 2014 SCFCA North all-star team. He was also a four-year member of the basketball team and participated in track for three years.
A distinguished honors student, Karnish is the class vice president, a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Green Club and student council, and is a peer tutor.
The son of Gary and Kristen Karnish, Nesquehoning, Matthew is ranked first in his class. He has been accepted to Villanova University and will major in engineering.
Thomas Moran
Minersville
A 6-3, 280-pound lineman, Moran was a two-year starter and four-year member of the Battlin’ Miners’ program, never missing one practice.
A team captain, Moran was honored by his coaches with the Iron Miner Award. He also participated in basketball for one year and was a three-year member of the track and field team.
An honors student, Moran is the class president, a member of the Academic League team, Leo Club, Prom Committee and school choir, is a peer tutor and has participated in the school’s annual musical for four years. He also participated in the Relay for Life, Sock It to Sarcoma and is a church and SPCA volunteer.
He ranks in the top 12 percent of his class, received the presidential award for excellence and the Minersville Area High School Academic Achievement Award and is a member of the 1,700 club.
The son of Thomas and Sharon Moran, Minersville, Thomas will attend Susquehanna University on a presidential scholarship.
Gino DiNicola
Nativity
The 6-foot, 170-pound DiNicola was a running back, receiver, linebacker and defensive back for the Green Wave. He was a three-year starter and four-year member of the program.
The team captain, DiNicola was honored as the 2014 Pottsville Lions Club MVP, was an All-American Football Conference first-team selection at defensive end and received AAFC honorable-mention honors at slotback. He was also a four-year member of the Nativity basketball and baseball teams.
DiNicola is a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, student council, Science Club, INTERACT Club and Math Club and is an outstanding student ambassador. He volunteered in the Giving our Gift program, the annual Rhoades Race, Assumption BVM, St. Patrick’s Church and Llewellyn Fire Company.
The son of Gino and Lorna DiNicola, Pottsville, Gino ranks in the top 15 percent of his class. He has been accepted to Penn State and Wilkes universities and plans to major in pre-med.
Nathan Gadinski
North Schuylkill
A 6-2, 260-pound offensive and defensive lineman, Gadinski was a three-year starter and four-year letterwinner for the Spartans, helping them reach the Eastern Conference title game as a junior and the District 11 Class AA title game as a senior.
A team co-captain, Gadinski was named to the WNEP Dream Team, was the Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association Offensive Lineman of the Year amd T102 Lineman of the Year, and was a first-team selection to The Republican-Herald All-Area Team, Hazleton Standard-Speaker All-Area Team, PA Football News all-star team, Eastern PA Football all-star team and Anthracite Football League all-star team.
A four-year member of the wrestling program, Gadinski was the Schuylkill League champion at heavyweight as a senior. He is a member of the National Honor Society, student council, SADD, TAT and North Schuylkill’s President’s Club.
The son of Robert and Kathleen Gadinski, Ashland, Nathan ranks in the top 22 percent of his class. He plans to attend Bloomsburg University to play football and major in finance or marketing.
Ethan Vermillion
Panther Valley
Vermillion, a 6-1, 160-pound wide receiver and defensive end, was a first-year member of the Panthers’ program. He was also a four-year member of the Panther Valley basketball team and played two years of baseball.
A member of the National Honor Society, Vermillion took part in student forum for four years, possesses the Life Rank as a member of the Boy Scouts of America, is an altar server at St. Katherine Drexel Church and is a junior member of the Summit Hill Shade Tree Commission.
The son of Dr. Richard and Dr. Jennifer Vermillion, Summit Hill, Ethan ranks in the top 6 percent of his class. He plans on attending the University of Pittsburgh to major in engineering.
Scott Werner
Pine Grove
Werner was a three-year starter and four-year member of the Cardinals’ football team, blocking for three 1,000-yard rushers during his career.
The 6-1, 250-pound offensive guard and defensive tackle was named the WNEP Dream Team Scholar-Athlete and was a Mini-Maxwell Award winner. A co-captain, he was named the SCFCA South and Tri-Valley League’s Offensive Lineman of the Year and was a first-team selection to the SCFCA all-star team, Republican-Herald All-Area Team and Tri-Valley League all-star team. He was a PA Football News second-team pick.
Werner was also a four-year member of the track and field team and a two-year member of the wrestling team.
An honors student, Werner was a four-year member of student council, Future Business Leaders of America, Varsity Club, the Pine Grove Area marching and concert bands and wood shop. He served as class vice president for four years, the FBLA regional president for two years and vice president of the band for one year.
The son of Richard and Beth Werner, Pine Grove, Scott ranks in the top 6 percent of his class. He has been accepted to and received scholarship offers from Lebanon Valley College, Lycoming College and Susquehanna University. He plans to major in history or political science.
Aaron Mickonis
Pottsville
The 6-foot, 180-pound Mickonis was a fullback, tight end and linebacker for the Crimson Tide. He was a three-year member of the varsity team and was a starter his senior year, when he led the Tide with 111 tackles and was a team captain.
Mickonis was a Republican-Herald All-Area Team second-team selection and a Berks Football League Section 1 second-team selection. He was honored as Pottsville Area’s Lineman of the Year.
An honors student, Mickonis has been a four-year member of the Spanish Club and Students Against Destructive Decisions, participated in the Leo Club for two years and has been a member of the Spanish National Honor Society and National Honor Society for two years. He also served as the Spanish National Honor Society’s treasurer his senior year, participated on the school’s math team and is an altar server at Holy Cross Church.
The son of David and Sandee Mickonis, New Philadelphia, Aaron ranks first in a class of 252 students. He will attend Penn State’s main campus to major in chemical engineering.
Ryan Fink
Schuylkill Haven
A 5-9, 205-pound quarterback, running back, linebacker and defensive back for the Hurricanes, Fink is the third member of his family to be honored as Schuylkill Haven’s football scholar-athlete.
A four-year starter for the Hurricanes, Fink combined to rush for 3,231 yards and scored 35 touchdowns while passing for 849 yards and eight touchdowns during his junior and senior years. He recorded 134 tackles and helped Schuylkill Haven win the 2013 District 11 Class A title.
Fink was a first-team selection to the SCFCA Dream Team, SCFCA South all-star team and Republican-Herald All-Area Team. He is also a four-year member of the baseball team, helping Haven win the 2014 District 11 Class A championship and reach the PIAA Class A state semifinals.
Fink is a member of the Biology Club and participated on the Veterans Committee and with Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He has volunteered with Schuylkill Haven Midget Football, Schuylkill Haven Little League, Hurricane Youth Football Camp and Borough Day cleanup.
The son of Dennis and Kimberly Fink, Schuylkill Haven, Ryan is ranked in the top 24 percent of his class. He has been awarded a Lebanon Valley College scholarship, where he will major in business administration.
Nicholas Gurski
Shenandoah Valley
Gurski, a 6-2, 230-pound fullback, tight end and linebacker, was a four-year starter for the Blue Devils, leading the team in tackles his senior year.
Gurski was a Hazleton Standard-Speaker honorable-mention selection at linebacker. He was also a four-year starter on the baseball team and played one year on the basketball team.
The president of the National Honor Society, Gurski has attained perfect honors during high school. He was awarded the National Honor Society silver and bronze awards.
The son of John and Rayaire Miller, Gurski ranks second in a class of 76 students. He will attend Wilkes University to major in pharmacy.
Trevor Skripko
Tamaqua
A 5-10, 210-pound fullback, tight end and linebacker, Skripko was a three-year starter and four-year member of the Blue Raiders’ program.
Skripko led Tamaqua in tackling in both his junior and senior years with 188 tackles and was twice named the Tamaqua Area Linebacker of the Year. He was named to the Anthracite Football League first team and SCFCA Dream Team at tight end, and was a Lehighton Times-News Area all-star at tight end and linebacker.
Skripko also participated in basketball for three years and was a four-year member of the track and field team. He was honored as the 2014 Capt. Jeffrey Bnosky Memorial Award recipient.
An honors student, Skripko is a four-year member of the Spanish National Honor Society and a two-year member of the Mathematics National Honor Society. He participated in the biology and drama clubs, and volunteered at the Tamaqua youth basketball camp and the Junior Raider Biddy Basketball Tournament.
The son of John and Patty Skripko, Brockton, Trevor ranks in the top 10 percent of his class and has been accepted to East Stroudsburg University.
Hunter Harner
Tri-Valley
Harner was a 6-foot, 160-pound quarterback, linebacker and defensive back for the Dawgs, leading them to the 2014 Eastern Conference Class A championship.
During his junior and senior years, Hunter rushed for 2,640 yards and totaled 33 touchdowns. He finished with more than 100 tackles and had 12 interceptions. Harner was a Republican-Herald first-team selection and a SCFCA first-team selection on offense.
Harner was also a four-year member of the Tri-Valley wrestling team and qualified for the PIAA Class AA Wrestling Championships three times. He has been a four-year member of Future Farmers of America and a two-year member of Future Business Leaders of America, was a volunteer at the Manor at Susquehanna Village, assisted kids day at the Sacramento Fire Company and has assisted with elementary wrestling practice sessions.
The son of Cliff and Melissa Harner, Pitman, Hunter ranks in the top 40 percent of his class. He has been accepted at Widener University and plans to major in physical therapy.
Cody Miller
Williams Valley
A 5-10, 185-pound wide receiver and defensive back, Miller was a two-year starter and four-year member of the Vikings’ football program.
A team captain, Miller was a two-time Tri-Valley League first-team selection at wide receiver and a 2013 first-team selection to The Republican-Herald All-Area Team. He was also a four-year member of the Williams Valley basketball team.
A distinguished honor roll student, Miller was honored with the DAR Good Citizenship award and Woodmen of the World American History Award, is a member of the Williams Valley National Honor Society and was a Porter Rotary Student of the Month for October.
The son of Roy and Diane Miller, Tower City, Cody ranks in the top 10 percent of his class. He plans to attend Williamson Trade School for power plant technology.