Ty Yocum is Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Year
His coach calls him “Mr. Everything,” and that pretty much sums up Ty Yocum’s impact on the football field. The rugged 6-foot, 220-pound senior is a powerhouse, whether he’s playing inside linebacker, lined up at tight end or coming out of the backfield to lead running plays or catch the ball.
He brings sheer physicality to every play and set the tone for Exeter in its run to its first District 3 Class 5A championship and an appearance in the PIAA semifinals.
“He is the heart and soul of of this team,” said Exeter head coach Matt Bauer. “He’s the toughest, most blue-collar kid I’ve ever coached, and the kids just rally around him.”
Yocum was named Linebacker of the Year in Berks County and in Section 1 of the Berks Football League and is the inaugural recipient of the Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Year. He received a plaque of recognition last week from Dr. Randy Yocum, Director of Physical Therapy at Body Zone Physical Therapy.
“On behalf of Body Zone Physical Therapy, I would like to congratulate Ty on being chosen as the 2021 Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Year!” Randy Yocum said. “We are very excited to sponsor this award and are committed to supporting high school sports. Our mission is to provide the most advanced sport specific rehab to our athletes, allowing them to safely return to their sport as soon as possible.”
Each week throughout the season Berks coaches nominated players for Defensive Player of the Week. There were 14 weekly recipients. Yocum received the award once, for his play in a 31-28 victory over Gov. Mifflin in the district title game. No player received the weekly award more than once.
All nominated players received points based on being nominated or on being selected Lineman of the Week. The top vote-getters behind Yocum were: Jack Miller, Wyomissing; Ryan Souder, Daniel Boone; Brett Organtini, Conrad Weiser; Eden Johnson, Gov. Mifflin; Josiah Jordan, Berks Catholic; Nevin Carter, Wyomissing; and Cameron Jones, Wilson.
Yocum had a team-leading 105 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two blocked punts, one sack and five hurries. He had 16 receptions and scored 14 touchdowns. He was next-to-impossible to stop in short-yardage situations even though everyone knew he was getting the ball.
On a critical fourth-and-1 late in the district championship game against Gov. Mifflin Yocum suggested a change-up. Rather than him getting the carry he suggested it go 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 Yocum.
“Ty’s football IQ is so high,” Bauer said. “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.”
Yocum signed earlier this week to play football at Merrimack College.
Weekly selections this season for Body Zone Physical Therapy 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
- Week 14: Ty Yocum, LB, Exeter
