5 TDs, in 5 different ways, a feat likely never matched in Reading High football history

The show DeShawn Wilson put on Friday night at Lebanon was nothing new to his Reading High teammates and coaches.

“What he did Friday he does every day at practice,” said Red Knights coach Andre Doyle after Wilson scored five touchdowns, in five different ways, in a 44-22 non-league victory. “One-handed catches, interceptions, or making some kind of dynamic move.

“These are things that he does ever single day. When he did them, no one was surprised on the sideline. We know what type of player he is.”

Wilson scored on a running play, a reception, an interception return, a kickoff return and a punt return. It’s a rare feat that may have never been accomplished in 127 previous seasons at Reading High.

Wilson, a 5-9, 170-pound senior scored, in order on a:

• 68-yard interception return
• 74-yard reception
• 97-yard kickoff return
• 70-punt return
• 85-yard run

All told, he had 192 yards from scrimmage and 266 yards of returns.

“I knew that DeShawn is extremely capable of explosive plays,” Doyle said. “When he was on the field it was just electric, a little bit different. It was definitely special”

There are only six possible ways to score a touchdown. The only way he did not score was on a fumble return.

Each of his scores were critical in the Red Knights’ first victory since Oct. 25, 2019, when they beat Muhlenberg 34-0. They had lost eight straight, including all five in the spring.

Each of Wilson’s first three scores gave Reading the lead.

“For him to do it on a Friday night, it was incredible,” Doyle said. “He kept the sideline energized and spirited.”

Wilson is the first Red Knight to score five TDs in a game in over 15 years, and just the seventh overall with five or more touchdowns in a game.

Malcolm Williams was the last Reading High player to score as many as five touchdowns in a game; he had six in a 62-8 win over Ballou High in 2005.

The other most-recent such event came in 2001 when Sam Bryant scored five times in a 57-27 win vs. Pottsville.

Three other Red Knights accomplished the feat over 100 years ago. The program — and Berks — record is seven touchdowns in a game, by John P. Charlton vs. Allentown in 1913.

Wilson’s interception return put the Red Knights up 6-0 in the first quarter. He was playing safety and swooped in on a screen pass intended for the running back.

“He read it perfectly,” said Doyle. “He just has a knack of knowing where to be on the field all the time. He just understands the game of football. Every year you can tell the game has slowed down for him more. Friday was evidence that the game is just a little bit slower for him. He understands the dynamics of what he’s supposed to do.”

Wilson’s touchdown reception snapped a 12-12 tie in the second quarter. He generally lines up at wide receiver but on that play he came out of the backfield and took a swing pass.

“He put his foot in the ground and turned up field and it was history,” Doyle said. “We move him around because of how dynamic he is. We put him wherever gives us the best opportunity to give him the ball in space.”

Wilson’s kickoff return came late in the first half, after Lebanon had taken a 20-18 lead, and gave Reading the lead for good.

“When DeShawn gets himself in space, it’s extremely electrifying, to say the least,” said Doyle.

Wilson’s final TD gave Reading a 36-22 lead late in the third quarter.

Wilson played for the Red Knights as a sophomore, then transferred to a Florida school last year when the Reading School District went to virtual learning. He and his family wanted him to have in-person schooling.

He is a strong student getting looks from several Ivy League schools.

Wilson returned to Reading early this year and re-joined the basketball team in time to help with its run to the District 3 Class 6A and PIAA championships.

He didn’t play football during the Red Knights’ spring season, and was missed, Doyle said.

“He brings a different element to our team that we didn’t have in the spring,” Doyle said. “DeShawn 100 percent leads by example. When he’s on the field, there’s always a play that he can make, without a doubt.”