Montgomery Named National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award Finalist

IRVING, Texas- Freshman quarterback Austin Montgomery (Bedford, Pa./Bedford Area HS) has been named a finalist for the National Football Foundation High School Scholar-Athlete Award. Montgomery is one of 37 players from Division I, II, III, NAIA, and junior colleges.

Montgomery was nominated by the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Football Foundation. Montgomery is one of six nominees from the East Region and one of two from a Division III school. One finalist from all five regions (East, Northeast, Midwest, South, and West) will be announced on October 3.

The five honorees will travel to New York City to be honored during the NFF Chapter Awards Luncheon, presented by Under Armour, on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. First bestowed in 1991, the NFF National High School Scholar-Athlete Awards have become one of the most prestigious high school honors in the country. Criteria for the award include but are not limited to academic achievement, athletic accolades and community involvement.

East Region Nominees

Sonny Abramson from Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta, N.J. Nominated by the NFF Greater Morris County (N.J.) Chapter and currently playing at the University of Virginia.

David Cooper from Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Va. Nominated by the NFF National Capital (D.C.) Chapter and currently playing at the United States Military Academy.

Justin Covington from Cardinal Hayes High School in New York City. Nominated by the NFF New York City Chapter and currently playing at Villanova University.

Christopher "C.J." Markisz from West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North in Plainsboro, N.J. Nominated by the NFF Delaware Valley (N.J.) Chapter and currently playing at Bowdoin College (Maine).

Austin Montgomery from Bedford High School in Bedford, Pa. Nominated by the NFF Central Pennsylvania Chapter and currently playing at Juniata College (Pa.).

Stephen Spanellis from The Gilman School in Baltimore, Md. Nominated by the NFF Greater Baltimore Chapter and currently playing at the University of Michigan.