Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week: Ty Yocum of Exeter
Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week
It only figures that in the most important football game Exeter has ever played Ty Yocum was at the forefront on both sides of the ball.
He made a key call on offense that led to the biggest play of the game and was a bedrock on defense, recording a team-high nine tackles and forcing a fumble in the Eagles’ 31-28 win over Gov. Mifflin in the District 3 Class 5A championship game.
That effort has earned Yocum Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week honors.
“Ty’s our heart and soul,” said Eagles coach Matt Bauer. “He’s such a blue-collar, throwback type kid. You just don’t see a lot of those. He is our leader on and off the field. He’s like a player-coach.”
With his team down four points and facing a critical fourth-and-1 at the Mifflin 31 with 9 1/2 minutes left, Yocum suggested a change-up. Rather than him getting the carry, as he has on practically every short-yardage call this season, he suggested to give it to Eric Nangle, figuring the Mustangs would be looking for him.
His call was right: Nangle took it to the house, helped in large part by a freeing block at the line of scrimmage from the 6-1, 225-pound Yocum.
“There’s no person I’d rather go to war with than Ty Yocum, for sure,” said Bauer.
Yocum, the Linebacker of the Year in Berks, leads the Eagles with 98 tackles and is tied for the team lead with three interceptions and two forced fumbles.
The second of those fumbles came in the first half against Mifflin, setting up a short field that the Eagles turned into a touchdown and 21-7 lead.
Yocum is a three-year starter at linebacker; he also starts on offense, alternating between fullback and tight end.
“Ty’s football IQ is so high,” Bauer said. “He’s literally our defensive coordinator on the field. He aligns everyone. He knows everyone’s position. You can breath a little bit easier when he’s out there.”
This is Yocum’s first selection as Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week. He becomes the eighth Exeter player to receive MikeDragoSports.com Player of the Week honors. Colin Payne and Eric Nangle have been picked as Offensive Player of the Week. Sam Orzolek has been selected Defensive Player of the Week. Lucas Palange, Anthony Caccese and Kyle Lash have each been named Lineman of the Week. (Palange was selected twice.)
Players considered for Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week honors are nominated by their coaches or by members of the MikeDragoSports.com coverage team.
Also nominated this week:
- Lucas Palange, LB, Exeter
- J.R. Strauss, LB, Exeter
- Mykell Ford, T, Gov. Mifflin
- Eden Johnson, S, Gov. Mifflin
- Trey Rock, LB, Gov. Mifflin
- Rory Filoon, LB, Wyomissing
- Aiden Mack, DE, Wyomissing
- Ja-Mhi Jackson, DE, Wyomissing
Selected earlier this season as Defensive Player of the Week:
- Week 1: Brett Organtini, LB, Conrad Weiser
- Week 2: Eden Johnson, S, Gov. Mifflin
- Week 3: Josiah Jordan, CB, Berks Catholic
- Week 4: Matt Kramer, LB, Wyomissing
- Week 5: Ryan Souder, LB, Daniel Boone
- Week 6: Nevin Carter, CB, Wyomissing
- Week 7: Nate Goodman, DE, Gov. Mifflin
- Week 8: Sam Orzolek, T, Exeter
- Week 9: Cam Jones, CB, Wilson
- Week 10: Aaron Shuker, LB, Muhlenberg
- Week 11: Mitchell Watt, DE, Hamburg
- Week 12: Tyler Givens, DE, Berks Catholic
- Week 13: Jack Miller, LB, Wyomissing
