Five Berks Player of the Year candidates (not named Nick Singleton)

It’s pretty much assumed Nick Singleton will be named Berks Player of the Year again. No one’s cast a ballot yet for that award but it seems about as inevitable as nightfall.

The Gov. Mifflin senior is considered by many to be the best running backs in the nation. He’s the No. 1 player on the No. 1 team in the state. He owns just about every rushing record out there, so what’s not to like?

Let’s say for a minute Singleton’s not in the equation; let’s say he skipped his senior year entirely and went straight to Penn State and never played a down for the Mustangs. Who’s your Berks Player of the Year then?

Naturally you’d think someone from Wyomissing would be on the short list, but who? The unbeaten Spartans don’t revolve around one guy. That’s one of the qualities that makes them so good.

Richmond recruit Aiden Mack is a devastating blocker at tight end and a pass-rushing defensive end who seals the edge. But tight ends aren’t exactly game-changers at this level.

Jven Williams is one of the most highly recruited players in Berks and he’s a bulldozer of a blocker who’s only touching the tip of his potential. But again, offensive linemen are rarely considered for MVP awards, much as they should be.

Tommy Grabowski is the Spartans’ leading tackle and leading rusher but in the fabric of their team just one square of their quilt, not an MVP type.

There are a dozen other names you could make a case for. We’ll narrow it down to five (in no particular order). Here goes:

Eden Johnson, Gov. Mifflin: Hard to say where this 5-11, 195-pound senior makes a bigger impact: offense or defense. He runs the option toss as well or better than anyone the Mustangs have ever had, making Nick Singleton even more dangerous. If he keeps it, he’s a big threat, too; he averages 7 1/2 yards a carry.

Johnson’s a huge presence in the secondary at safety. He’s strong in coverage but a real threat as a hitter, either coming up on the run or blasting receivers once they make the catch. Not too many guys want to make a return trip through his zone after being laid out.

Brings all the intangibles, too, with leadership qualities and a deep desire to play the game.

Tanner Maddocks, Fleetwood: There’s not a more versatile player in the county, or for miles beyond. This 6-1, 172-pound senior literally does it all: He throws and runs as a quarterback, plays lock-down defense at corner, comes up and plays the run, punts, kicks off and handles placements.

A true throwback.

The Tigers won seven games this season, and it all starts and ends with Maddocks. The Villanova recruit passed for over 1,500 yards and 14 TDs. . . was an adept runner, turning potential sacks into first down. . . and led the county with seven interceptions.

Logan Klitsch, Conrad Weiser: People throw around the term “dual-threat quarterback” loosely, but not with Klitsch. He’ll beat you with his arm or his legs, and usually with both. He set the Berks record for touchdowns scored by a quarterback with 20 in 11 games, most in the first half of the season before an ankle injury that reduced his mobility. At full strength he was able to break out of the pocket and run the length of the field at any time.

That mobility helped the 6-3, 190-pound senior as a passer, as he was able to avoid sacks, throw on the run and extend plays. It all added up to one of the great quarterback careers in Berks history, with nearly 5,200 passing yards and 51 TDs over three seasons.

Ty Yocum, Exeter: His head coach calls him “Mr. Everything,” and that about covers it. The bullish, 6-foot 220-pound senior is a powerhouse, whether playing inside linebacker, lined up at tight end or coming out of the backfield. When it’s fourth-and-short you’re pretty sure the ball is going to end up in his arms, and he’s going to covert.

On the other side he brings sheer physicality to ever play. He leads his team in tackles, but is so much more than that. If you’re looking for someone to set the tone in your huddle and keep things rock-steady this is the guy.

Cam Jones, Wilson: This 5-11, 175-pound junior dominates in two of the three phases the game: On defense, where he’s a lock-down corner, and on special teams, where he’s literally a threat to take anything kicked in his direction back to the house. He also contributes on offense as a receiver and occasional Wildcat QB.

Teams don’t often throw in his direction, and for good reason: Why challenge the best athletes on the field? He’s fast, athletic and has a knack for the ball.

Teams don’t kick in his direction too often, either, and for good reason: He’s taken 13 kicks back to the house. Thirteen! Now, six of them have been called back, but seven weren’t and many of them were game-changers. Few teams have a weapon at their disposal like that.