Starting Lineup: Spartans fullback determined to write happy ending for final chapter
To recognize the top players in Berks County football MikeDragoSports.com has selected the “Starting Lineup,” a preseason All-Berks team that includes the top linemen, backs, receivers, linebackers, and specialists.
Players are selected based on past performance, expected performance this season and college potential. Two-way players were given special consideration.
One player will be introduced each day throughout the preseason, in random order (the players are not ranked). This is the eighth installment of the series.
Chase Eisenhower, Wyomissing
| 6-0 | 220 | Senior | FB/LB |
As Michael Jordan was building his legend at North Carolina it was common knowledge around Chapel Hill that there was only one person who could stop him from scoring: Dean Smith.
The legendary Tar Hills coach did his best to keep the reigns on a phenom who would go on to lead the NBA in scoring 10 times.
Bob Wolfrum has had the same effect on the many great backs to come through Wyomissing’s football program. He’s coached a slew of guys who could’ve gone for 2,000 yards in a season but his offense – and his team-first mentality — isn’t set up that way. There are three backs in the Wing-T, any of which can be featured at a given time. None are going to get 25 carries a week.
“In our offense we don’t care who’s carrying the ball,” Wolfrum said, “it’s whatever plays we need to run.”
Chase Eisenhower knows this as well as anyone. He was an all-league fullback and the Spartans’ lead back last year and still averaged fewer than nine carries per game. His father and older brother each played for Wolfrum; Chase gets the plan.
It seems as though he’s been around the program forever; he scored a touchdown in the 2022 season-opener as a freshman and is positioned to become the program’s all-time rushing leader. He’s not planning a huge celebration if and when that happens.
“It would definitely be pretty cool,” he said of such a record, “but at this point I’m just focused on the disappointing way we ended last year, (not getting) the sixth district ‘chip in a row, so we’re trying to get back on that road. That’s all I’m aiming for at this point.”
Eisenhower had his most productive game of the season in that stinging 30-27 overtime loss to Lampeter-Strasburg in the District 3 Class 4A title game. He carried a season-high 23 times for 170 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He was named Player of the Week for the effort. He didn’t celebrate that award, either.
Fact is, that loss still haunts him. Throughout the offseason he pulled the game tape out every couple of weeks, searching for something he or one of his teammates could’ve done to change the outcome, trying to find something they can do to get better. No matter how many times he watches the result remains the same: a season-ending loss to a team that went on to play for a state championship.
“Man, the way it ended . . . it lingered,” he said.
Eisenhower is determined to see his final season at Wyomissing have a happier ending, and he brings the tools to make that happen. He’ll again give the Spartans a dominating fullback and a fierce sideline-to-sideline tackler and leader on defense. He’s not the biggest or fastest but after starting since midway through his freshman season he’s the most prepared and experienced guy on the field.
There isn’t a football situation he hasn’t encountered.
“I feel I know the game pretty well,” he said. “Defensively, I know the reads. I watch a lot of film; I’m able to pick up on things.”
“Chase is the heart of our defense,” said line coach Steve O’Neil. “He’s not only our leading tackler but also makes sure everyone is in the right position with his deep understanding of our scheme.”
Eisenhower was the only freshman on a Wyomissing team that included J’ven Williams and Ryker Jones, won its first 13 games, and was ranked No. 1 in the state for most of the season before falling in the PIAA semifinals. He moved into the starting lineup in Week 3 because of an injury and has been there ever since.
“Once he got on the field, we weren’t getting him off,” Wolfrum said. “Right from the get-go he knew what he was doing.”
It’s the same on offense. He doesn’t possess breakaway speed but understands the offense, has the patience to wait for blocks to develop and the ability to get through the line and avoid defenders.
“I don’t know what his 40 (time) is,” Wolfrum said, “but he doesn’t get caught from behind.”
“Chase has a rare combination of size, power and agility,” O’Neill said. “He’s a physical force who moves with surprising quickness.”
Eisenhower put his knack for the game on full display in the District 3 Class 3A championship game against West Perry in 2023 when he intercepted a pass, then weaved through a gang of green jerseys on an 86-yard scoring return.
Eisenhower rushed for 1,092 yards as a sophomore and 784 last year. His average yards per carry provides a more accurate picture: 6.8 as a freshman, 7.2 as a sophomore, 7.0 as a junior.
He finished last season with 2,265 career yards and 33 touchdowns. He begins this year 851 yards behind the program record of 3,116 yards, set by Gregory Lord in 2006. He can become the third to reach 3,000, joining Lord and Kevin Neff, who finished with 3,109.
“When we’re heavy fullback (with our game plan), he carries the ball and does a great job,” Wolfrum said. “When we’re heavy with halfback he’s a blocker and he’s not complaining about that. He is a team player who will do pretty much whatever you ask him to do.”
Last year Eisenhower became one of just a few underclassman at Wyomissing to be named a captain; now he’s a two-time pick.
He was a first-team all-league pick at both running back and linebacker. He earned the same honors on the Small Team All-Berks squad. He was a second-team pick on the Pennsylvania Football News Coaches-Select Class 4A All-State team.
In March he broke a bone in his foot while working out. He spent 10 weeks on crutches and three weeks in a boot. He wasn’t running again until mid June. Think that will slow him down?
“Not at all,” he said. “I’m back to right where I was. I’m ready to play; I’m good.”
2025 Starting Lineup
| Logan Cammauf | Schuylkill Valley | RB/LB | Senior |
| Chase Eisenhower | Wyomissing | FB/ILB | Senior |
| Drew Engle | Twin Valley | RB/S/KR | Senior |
| Justice Hardy | Wyomissing | RB/WR/S/CB/KR | Junior |
| Chase Herb | Wilson | WR/S | Senior |
| Lebron Leaf | Governor Mifflin | QB/LB | Senior |
| Riley Martinez | Exeter | QB | Senior |
| Cameron Small | Muhlenberg | RB/S | Senior |
