The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame announced Tuesday that former River Hill lineman Max Coale was one of five winners of the 2010 National High School Scholar-Athlete Award.

The award is given to the student who best balanced football and academics in five different geographic regions. Coale was the recipient of the award for the East region.

Coale, a three-year starter at offensive and defensive tackle at River Hill, guided the Hawks to Class 2A state championships in 2007 and 2008, and a Class 3A state semifinals appearance as a senior in 2009. River Hill went 40-1 during Coale's time on the Hawks' offensive line.

Coale, a Baltimore Sun first-team All-Metro performer, was a team captain for the Hawks and a standout on River Hill's lacrosse team. He was named the school's top male athlete last spring.

Coale, who now plays football at Princeton, carried a 4.0 grade-point average in high school and earned valedictorian honors in his class of 342.

"Max was a three-year starter for us on the offensive line," River Hill coach Brian Van Deusen said in a news release. "During his time here at River Hill, we won 40 consecutive games, three regional championships and two state championships. Max worked extremely hard in the weight room to improve himself, and he ended up being one of our strongest kids and in the 1,000 pound club. His teammates selected him as a team captain because of his strong work ethic and outstanding leadership qualities.

"Max's accomplishments in the classroom and community are just as impressive. He was a pleasure to coach and is a great role model for the younger players in our program. I think that Max is a perfect example of a scholar-athlete; he focused on academics first and was also able to excel in all of his extra-curricular activities. He is a very intelligent, dedicated, well-balanced individual that is an excellent candidate for this scholar-athlete award."

Baltimore Sun photo of Max Coale by Kenneth K. Lam / Oct. 6, 2009