Peyton Falzone has been out of the headlines for several weeks now, and that’s just fine with him.
The recent Nazareth High graduate — he completed all of the required coursework in early December — was in the news often in 2025, and each time created a stir.
The highly coveted quarterback began the year having just decommitted from Virginia Tech after committing to the Hokies in the summer of 2024. After earning interest from seemingly every Division I program in the country, he committed to Penn State in April, but then flipped to Auburn in June. He was committed to Auburn until late November, when he changed back to Penn State and made his choice official Dec. 3.
While all that was going on, Falzone was primed for a big senior season playing one last time for his father, Tom Falzone.
He was on a tear through the first three games — all Blue Eagles wins.
Nazareth was leading Freedom 42-21 late in the second quarter Sept. 12 when Falzone short-armed an incomplete pass to his left side. He had suffered an injury on a run earlier in the game, and the pain intensified as the half went on. Falzone told his father at halftime that he couldn’t continue. After the game, he went to the hospital for X-rays, which revealed a fractured clavicle in his left shoulder.
In a flash, his senior season was done. His Nazareth career was also done.
But while rehabbing, Falzone remained involved with the team, and did what he could to assist and encourage his teammates, especially sophomore Cooper Madson, who replaced him at quarterback.
For his continued support as well as the poise he displayed while going through an equally exhilarating and exasperating recruiting process, Falzone is The Morning Call’s Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Football Ambassador of the Year.
Before his season ended, Falzone had thrown for 1,176 yards and passed for 12 TDs. He also had 216 rushing yards and six rushing TDs. He was on his way to better numbers than his first two seasons at Nazareth.
As a junior in 2024, he was named the EPC’s Offensive Player of the Year after he completed 146 of his 278 passes for 2,135 yards and 23 touchdowns with four interceptions. He also ran 78 times for 697 yards and eight scores
As a sophomore in 2023, he led Nazareth to a District 11 6A championship by throwing for a league-best 2,528 yards and 19 touchdowns. He had just four passes intercepted in 280 attempts. He also ran for 440 yards, averaging 6.8 yards per carry, and scored 11 touchdowns.
“It was tough because I was averaging like six touchdowns and 300 passing yards per game in my first three games,” Falzone said. “It was a lot of fun while I was out there. I’m grateful for the team I had around me. The receivers did a great job and were making plays and making life easier for me. Up front, I called protections and tried to put them in situations to be successful. We were definitely rolling as a program, and without a doubt, it was really frustrating to have to go out. But I was glad I was able to come back and help the team in any way I could.”
Falzone was especially helpful with Madson, who finished his season with 1,523 yards passing and 14 touchdowns. He threw just three interceptions in 176 attempts and helped Nazareth reach the District 11 6A semifinals.
“Like Cooper, I played my sophomore year as well,” Falzone said. “I was lucky to have a great team around me, and we won some games. It was kind of baptism by fire for Cooper. His first start was against Parkland in Week 5 when they were unbeaten, and I tried to help him out as much as I could, and he definitely got better as the season went on. I’m looking forward to seeing him compete next year because his ceiling is really high. He does a great job of listening and trying to understand as much as he can. To have a full offseason to go through and knowing he’s likely going to be the starter will make a big difference for him. I’m looking forward to seeing what he’ll produce.”
Falzone said it was a mental challenge for him to have things taken away so abruptly when they were going so well.
“I couldn’t even sit up on my own with people helping me because of the pain in my collarbone,” he said. “So, it was a great mental test because everyone is going to have to go through some tough times. I was fortunate to have great support around me. My mom [Stephanie] was with me every single day. My dad still had a team to coach, and he had to deal with not having his starting quarterback and his son. My mom was home with me through everything, and obviously, I put everyone, including my sisters, through the wringer. I’m just glad I was able to heal, and I can’t wait to get out on the field.”
In addition to the injury, Falzone is happy the recruiting process is behind him because even after he committed to various schools, the calls kept coming in.
“That’s the way college football is. … It doesn’t end until you put pen to paper, which I am thankful I have now done,” he said. “Throughout the entire process, schools will continue to reach out, and we saw this year that coaches are going everywhere, players are going everywhere, and that’s why it’s important to build relationships with people.”
Falzone’s roller coaster ride in recruiting played out on a national scale and he took his share of criticism as he committed and decommitted. But only he and his family knew how everything was unfolding behind the scenes.
“I am so proud of the individual he is because he has fought through a lot of stuff,” Tom Falzone said. “There has been a lot of adversity. He has grown so much through it, and it hasn’t been easy. College football is a business, and it’s a dirty business at times. There are a lot of things that happen behind the scenes that even the public doesn’t know about. Peyton has always tried to stay positive and do things the right way.”
And, he plans to continue to do things the right way at Penn State.
“I move in on Jan. 10, and I am excited,” he said. “I am excited about Coach [Matt] Campbell taking over. I loved watching his Iowa State stuff and I think he can bring even more to Penn State, which is exciting for both a player standpoint and a fan standpoint. They’re going to see an exciting offense and a physical defense. The team is also fortunate to have Terry Smith stay on board. He also had to go through baptism by fire and did a great job. Penn State is still Penn State. Everyone has a rough year now and then. You have to roll with the punches.”
His final thoughts on his high school career?
“I am blessed and grateful,” Falzone said. “Not everyone has had the support system I have had. I know it will remain the same in college with me staying close to home. I’ve built a lot of memories with my father and with my mom. I’ll cherish them all of my life. It was a dream come true for me to play for my father, and now it’s time to start dreaming bigger.”
