On Monday, May 11, 2026, New Hope-Solebury seniors Erick Mejia-Quiroz and Chase Lumio were recognized for committing to compete in football at the collegiate level. (Photos provided courtesy of Karla Donohoe)
New Hope-Solebury coach Dale Smith: “It’s exciting. We have two guys going on to play college football. It’s been a little while since that happened here. Chase is going on to play at Moravian College, and Erick will be our second player in school history to play sprint football, which is exciting. It gives some of the smaller guys an opportunity to play real college football. The schedule’s legit, playing schools like Army, Navy, Princeton, a lot of Ivy League schools.
“Both boys are two of the toughest kids I’ve ever come across. Both dealt with injuries last year, and both fought through those injuries. Chase has the ability to play multiple positions in college. The same thing with Erick because last year Erick – even though he played mainly guard – also played some tackle at times as well. There were times when I put him in the backfield to lead block.
“Chase actually came out to run some routes for us a few weeks ago, and I videotaped him so he could send it to his coach at Moravian to showcase his ability to play multiple positions at the next level. They’re both competitors, they’re both willing to do whatever is necessary.”
Chase Lumio – Moravian University (Football)
Major: “My major as of right now is finance. I’m really not sure. I might switch. I’m looking into architecture or engineering.”
Final list of colleges: Moravian, California University of Pennsylvania
Reasons for choosing Moravian: “When I went there, I fell in love with their recruiting process.
They do it a little differently. They don’t do all the social media stuff and all that. It’s more personal. They show you what you really want to see. I really liked the coaching staff there, I love the campus, and they offered the major I wanted.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “My mom wouldn’t let me play in eighth grade, so I had to wait until high school, but I started my freshman year as a receiver and then switched to quarterback my sophomore summer. I ended up playing in a few games toward the end of my sophomore year, and then my junior year, during that summer, I made the decision that I wanted to play at the next level, so I did everything in my power, getting up early in the morning to go to the gym just to make sure I had time to do my running and throwing after school to really go for it.”
About Chase:
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite movie: The Walking Dead
Favorite music: Country
Erick Mejia-Quiroz – Mansfield University (Sprint Football)
Major: Sports Management
Reasons for choosing Mansfield: “I went on a visit, and I really loved it there. It’s near the
mountains – it’s beautiful. The field we’ll play on is on a mountain, and it’s such a beautiful place.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “Mansfield wasn’t really my first choice until the coach reached out and talked to me. He told me, ‘Hey, I saw you like playing football. Would you consider playing in college?’ I said, ‘Coach, I’ll be honest – not really.” He said, ‘Come out before you commit to a school, and I’ll show you around campus, and I’ll tell you what sprint football is.’ I was like, ‘Sounds great.’
“Sprint football fits me. I’m short, not that heavy. I really wanted to play football in college, but it’s hard for me because I play O-line, so that’s already a struggle. I’m not that tall, not that strong compared to other people, and then sprint football just came out of nowhere. Sprint football is regular football with a weight limit, and I just want to show people what I can do against people my size and height.”
About Erick:
Favorite food: “My mom makes some really nice spaghetti and meatballs.”
Favorite movie: Spider-Man 3
Favorite music: E85 by Don Toliver.
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