‘Dynamic’ Panther earns Mini Max Award

John Eatherton is one of 55 players from Pennsylvania selected for the coveted honor. Players were nominated by their coaches and evaluated based on criteria that includes football performance, academics, and community service.
Posted on 02/06/2023
John Eatherton holds a Quakertown football helmet and stands with Coach George Banas at the Mini Max Awards dinner. By Gary Weckselblatt

As a seventh grader, John Eatherton would be at Alumni Field on Friday nights in the fall watching Quakertown Community High School football. Just about every tackle in those days was made by linebacker Noah Wood, one of John’s early heroes. And when Noah won the Mini Max Award, John made earning that trophy a goal of his own.

Five years later, that dream became a reality as the QCHS senior is one of 55 players from Pennsylvania selected for the coveted honor. Players were nominated by their coaches and evaluated based on criteria that includes football performance, academics, and community service.

“I couldn’t believe it,” John said when learning of his award. “Oh my God, no way. This is about everything, football, education, community service. It’s crazy, a great feeling.”

John and Coach George Banas attended the awards dinner for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware players on Sunday, Feb. 5 at the Drexelbrook Catering Events Center. “It was fun,” John said. “I got to talk to a lot of good players and got to know them a little bit.”

Maxwell Football Club President, Mark Dianno, said “This is another exceptional class of student-athletes who will represent the Mini Max Award very well. During their high school careers, they had to contend with circumstances of the pandemic impacting their families, communities, schools, teachers, academics, practices, coaches, and games; yet they consistently rose to meet those challenges and performed extraordinary feats on the fields, in their classrooms, and in their respective communities.”

A 6-foot-0, 180-pound athlete, John was named to the Surbuban One League first team as a defensive back and second team as a running back in both his junior and senior years. He scored 26 touchdowns the last two seasons, rushing for 1,201 yards (6.2 yards per carry) and piling up 796 yards receiving. On defense, he picked off eight passes and had 51 tackles.

The numbers are impressive, even more so when one considers he persevered through an injury-riddled senior campaign. “I could have not asked anyone to handle it any better,” said Coach Banas, who nominated John for the Mini Max Award. “John was our emotional leader off the field when injured and on the field when playing. He has a tremendous skill set accompanied by a phenomenal personality. He can be the most caring individual you know and the most intense competitor when on the field. John will be missed for both aspects very much.”

The coach described John as a “top 10 kid” and “dynamic” as a player. “He made so many dynamic plays for us,” Mr. Banas said. “He made other teams gameplan for him whether he was playing or not.”

John’s versatility will serve him well as he considers among Ithaca and Holy Cross as his college choices. “He’s a high-ceiling player and he’ll come into his own and be really dynamic at the next level,” Coach Banas said. “He can help at so many different positions. Running back, slot, outside. Defensively as a safety, corner, return specialist. You can put him on the field at so many places. He’s a special kids with so much versatility.”

Besides football, John is a member of the Best Buddies Club and mini-THON. He carries a 3.3 grade point average and has shown exceptional leadership skills during his time as a Panther.

“John has always been a leader both on and off the field, whether it be by commanding the team on a Friday night or coordinating efforts at a community outreach project,” Mr. Banas said. “There has never been a question in regards to what kind of individual John is becoming.”

John is humble when he hears such compliments. “I’m just so thankful to be in Quakertown,” he said. “It’s the best community. Everyone is so supportive. I wouldn’t want to play anywhere else.”

Gary Weckselblatt, QCSD Director of Communications, writes about the people and the programs that impact the Quakertown Community School District. He can be reached at 215-529-2028 or [email protected].
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