New Egypt’s Frimel, North Hunterdon’s Dehkes are top scholars
Whether heading north up Route 31, or southeast on Route 539, it’s fairly obvious that football players who work hard on the field and in the classroom are not confined to Mercer County.
Extending its reach beyond the county borders, the Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame will honor North Hunterdon’s Erik Dehkes and New Egypt’s Kyle Frimel at the 56th Annual George Wah Scholar-Leader-Athlete Awards Dinner. The event will be held March 11 at the Hyatt Regency in Princeton, beginning at 4 p.m.
Dehkes was a threeyear varsity performer and team captain; and also played for the North Hunterdon baseball team. A middle linebacker/tight end, he had 182 tackles and three pass deflections, along with five receptions for 70 yards and a TD. He was first-team All Group IV, All Area and All County on defense as a senior, and a two-year All-Conference selection in the Raritan Division. He helped the Lions to a North Jersey 2, Group IV title last fall.
“Erik’s statistics as player speak for themselves,” coach Jared Mazzetta said. “Defensively he was a key contributor our team’s state championship run. From his Mike Linebacker position Erik was the leader of the defense that yielded only 15 points per game. He was the ultimate example of how the position should be played, with a combination of intelligence and physicality.
“His performance on the field has set a high standard for his teammates for not only this year, but for athletes at North Hunterdon in the years to come. Erik has also been a leader in the weight room, always setting an example for the entire student body. He never missed a workout and has consistently gotten bigger, faster and stronger throughout his four years.”
A two-time member of the National Honor Society, Dehkes has a 4.0 GPA with a workload that includes 10 advanced placement courses. Erik is treasurer of the Spanish Honor Society, a Math Honor Society and Science Honor Society member, an AP Scholar, Silver Community Service Award winner and Wendy’s Heisman School winner. He is a Teen Prevention Education Program member, an Interact Enable coach, Special Olympics coach, executive member of Relay for Life and a Peer Leader.
A three-year varsity starter for New Egypt, Frimel amassed 2,000 allpurpose yards as a quarterback his junior and senior year; and made over 100 tackles as a linebacker his sophomore season. Kyle was the Warriors Defensive MVP in 10th grade and Team MVP as a junior. He was twice chosen first-team WJFL AllFreedom Division QB and named All-Freedom second-team linebacker as a sophomore; while earning second-team All-State Group I Utility honors. Kyle is also an All-Freedom pitcher on the baseball team, for which he is a three-year starter.
“It didn’t take long to notice that Kyle is a natural leader,” New Egypt coach Steve Fence said. “Kyle is a wonderful student-athlete and a respected member of the school community. He is very efficient at working through problems, evaluating his options, and completing any task he is given. I can see that he always demonstrates a mature attitude and determination to improve. His capability to balance demands from school and afterschool activities shows his understanding of the importance of education and strong work ethics.”
Headed for St. Lawrence University for football and ROTC, Frimel has a 96.6 grade point average. He is a National Honors Society member, Future Business Leaders of America officer, and a FBLA Agribusiness regional winner. With sights set on Environmental Studies, Kyle is in the Fishing & Archery Club and Environmental Club, along with the French Club. He also serves as a Student Advisor.