On Tuesday, June 7, 2016, Abington seniors Jake Hural, Lee Markman, Alvin Melhado and Luke Werner were recognized for committing to continue their football careers at the collegiate level. (Photo provided courtesy of Abington High School)
“When Luke, Alvin and Jake were sophomores, they got to experience when we went to the semifinals of the playoffs – Markman wasn’t on the team (when he was a sophomore),” former coach Tim Sorber said. “Luke, Alvin and Jake really showed a lot of maturity. To experience that kind of success early on and to have the disappointing season we had last year, I think it shows a lot of character. They could have bagged the season, but all three of them came out and had a great attitude, gave a great effort, and I really admire that. It’s really easy to be a good character kid when things are going well, and it’s a real test when things aren’t going well.”
Jake Hural – Chestnut Hill College (Sprint Football)
Most memorable moment of the season: “Touchdown at CB South”
Favorite class: Social Studies
Career: Teacher
Coach Tim Sorber says: “As a sophomore, Jake was mainly a jayvee player, and his junior year he was a jayvee player. He really stepped up his senior year where he was a reliable starter and had about three touchdown passes. He also was our long snapper. He really matured as a young man with football and learned little things like work ethic. I think he’ll have a nice career at Chestnut Hill.”
Lee Markman – Ursinus College (Football)
Final list of colleges: Ursinus, Millersville
The scoop: All-SOL National Conference
Coach Tim Sorber says: “Lee originally came in as a quarterback and was playing basketball. I think his focus was mainly basketball his sophomore and junior years. He didn’t play his sophomore year. He primarily was a punter and special teams kid his junior and senior years. He really worked hard in the summer – he went to several punting camps and developed into a very reliable, steady punter for us. Obviously, he’s going to a really good academic school. Lee is my fifth kid to go on to Ursinus. We’ve had three kids who’ve played significantly. (Coach) Pete Gallagher has a really good program, so Lee is going into a successful program.”
Luke Werner – United States Military Academy at West Point (Sprint Football)
The scoop: Team captain and won Trenchman and Brian Gerber ‘Spirit’ Award. Honorable Mention All-SOL National Conference at defensive tackle.
Coach Tim Sorber says: “Luke was a two-year starter. He’s one of those real try-hard kids who was kind of undersized playing offensive and defensive line. He was the epitome of the kid you would expect to be going to West Point. He’s a tremendous leader, he gave tremendous effort and is an overachiever.
“Luke’s brother, Christian, played for me, and he is now playing lacrosse at Albright, and his little brother has been a ball boy. Luke’s freshman, sophomore and junior years he played lacrosse, and this year he played football and wrestled and did really well for a first-year wrestler. He has a 4.2 GPA and had a ton of honors courses. I’m very proud to have been associated with him in football.”
Alvin Melhado – Chestnut Hill College (Sprint Football)
Coach Tim Sorber says: “Alvin was a two-way starter on offense and defense. He actually got injured early on in the season and then came back and played. It’s a shame because the injury kind of lingered, and I don’t think he had the year he should have because of the injury. He really worked hard to make his way back towards the end of the year. He was an undersized offensive lineman in our conference, and I think that’s going to be very beneficial because now he’s going to be going against kids his own size on the offensive and defensive lines. I think he’s really going to excel there.”
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