Jason Plylaharn, Nick Moyer named Bert Moore Scholarship recipients
2025 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
Jason Plylaharn of Reading High and Nickolas Moyer of Schuylkill Valley are the 2025 recipients of the Bert Moore Memorial Scholarship awards, presented annually by the Reading Football Officials Association.
The award, now in its ninth year, is named in honor of Moore, a long-time Berks football official and past president of the organization.
It is awarded to Berks senior football players pursuing education beyond high school. Each recipient receives a $1,000 scholarship.
An RFOA committee reviews applications and selects recipients based on sportsmanship, teamwork, community service, and citizenship.
Plylaharn, a quarterback and linebacker, led Reading High in community service hours, was a team leader, and set the tone when it came to sportsmanship.
“Jason held his teammates to a standard of respect and accountability when it came to the way we want to build this football program,” said Reading coach Troy Godinet. “He was always encouraging and positive to his teammates, coaches, staff and faculty.
“Once, another player from the opposing team was getting mouthy and going at it with one of his teammates. Jason (stepped in and) talked to both players in between plays (to calm them down) and they ended up tapping each other’s helmet and showing one another love.”
Plylaharn works at the concession standing during Red Knights basketball games to raise funds for the football program. He is a member of the Link Crew, which is involved in mentorship and guidance of younger students. He is a member of the Gate Program, which provides challenging and enriched learning experiences through advanced texts, complex discussions, and higher order thinking activities.
“No matter the trials and tribulations this young man faced away from football,” Godinet said, “he always put his teammates first and battled through it to be the best version of himself.”
Moyer, a two-way lineman, was a captain and “the backbone of our football team,” according to head coach Bruce Harbach.
“Nickolas embodies the ethics of playing by the rules, honoring both teammates and opponents, and exhibiting grace whether in victory or defeat,” Harbach said. “He always displayed integrity and ethical behavior, not just when it’s convenient, but consistently, regardless of the stakes.
“He acknowledged great performance from competitors, offered encouragement to teammates, and handled all interactions — with referees, coaches, or spectators — with politeness and respect. Nick always maintained a positive attitude, staying composed when decisions did not favor him, and always strived to bring out the best in himself and others around him.”
Moyer has a 3.92 GPA and has been on the BCFCA All-Academic Team for three years. He is president of the Schuylkill Valley Strength Club. He volunteers for the Special Olympics, for the “Fly Conner Fly Foundation” (which honors the late Conner Kleffel, a Schuylkill Valley junior high football player), and assists with the Northern Berks ambulance service during WWII weekends.
“Nickolas possesses the qualities and traits that make him an ideal teammate,” Harbach said. “He is unselfish; he doesn’t care who gets the credit and knows the star of the team is ‘THE TEAM.’ He roots for, supports, and cheers for everyone on the team.”
Last year the recipients were Bryce Gumby of Berks Catholic and Logan Nawrocki of Schuylkill Valley.
