Starting Lineup: Spartans don’t expect to miss a beat with Matt Kramer in backfield
To recognize the top players in Berks football MikeDragoSports.com has selected the “Starting Lineup,” a preseason All-Berks team that includes the 12 top linemen, backs, receivers, linebackers and specialists.
“Starting Lineup” is presented by GoBigRecruiting.com.
Players were 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, in random order (the players are not ranked 1 thru 12). Former NFL lineman and recruiting expert Ross Tucker offers comments on each selection.
Matt Kramer, Wyomissing
| 6-1 | 215 | Senior | FB/LB |
BACKSTORY: When Bob Wolfrum casually mentions that Matt Kramer is “sort of like Tommy,” that’s saying a lot. Tommy Grabowski was a cataylst for state finalist Wyomissing last season, earning All-State recognition at running back, all-league honors at linebacker and leading the Spartans in rushing and scoring.
Kramer, a senior and a two-year starter on defense, moves into the fullback spot this season — the lead role in the Spartans’ Wing-T offense. Wolfrum, the longtime Spartans coach, said he doesn’t expect much of a dropoff.
The 6-1, 215-pound Kramer — up 20 pounds since last season — has the power, speed and experience to handle the job.
Most of Kramer’s time on the field to date has come at outside linebacker, where he’s been a standout against the run and in pressuring the pocket.
He had four sacks and six hurries last season to go with nine tackles for loss for a defense that gave up fewer points than every Class 3A team in the state save for PIAA champ Central Valley.
He didn’t get any kind of postseason recognition because he was somewhat overshadowed by some top-flight seniors — the Spartans had three All-State picks on defense, alone. He easily could have earned postseason honors for his play.
Kramer’s physical enough to switch to inside ‘backer but Wolfrum doesn’t want to move him. He’s too valuable on the edge.
“He really understands leverage and made a lot of great plays (outside),” said the Spartans coach. “He can set the edge in the run game and rush the quarterback in the passing game.
“He’s a good combination of being very sharp (mentally) and having the quickness. He’s a good, (physically) solid kid, (and) he can take people on. He was all over the field in the state championship game.”
The Spartans didn’t need Kramer in any critical spots last season but he was available at quarterback, where he was No. 2 on the depth chart.
Kramer showed off his athletic skills at the Chris Nunn Memorial Berks Combine in the spring where he won the Pro Agility run, placed among the top finishers in the bench press and finished in the Top 10 overall.
He was also a standout for the Spartans in baseball, earning all-division honors after going 4-2 with a 2.24 ERA and batting .362 with a .982 OPS.
ROLE: Starting fullback and linebacker and key special teams player.
COLLEGE PROSPECTS: Getting looks from Division 2 and 3 programs.
TUCKER’S TAKE: “Played his biggest in the biggest games with a game-breaking play against Southern Columbia and a dominant performance in the state championship game. Extremely powerful young man. Has waited patiently for his turn as the featured fullback in the Wing-T.”
Starting Lineup 2022
| Cam Jones | Wilson | WR/CB/KR/LS |
| Josiah Jordan | Berks Catholic | HB/CB/KR |
| Matt Kramer | Wyomissing | FB/OLB |
| Ayden Martin | Gov. Mifflin | RB/S |
| Xander Menapace | Hamburg | QB |
| Lucas Palange | Exeter | G/LB/DE |
| Jven Williams | Wyomissing | G/T/DT |
The “Starting Lineup” team was selected by MikeDragoSports.com, with input from Berks coaches and Ross Tucker, co-founder and CEO of GoBigRecruiting.com and a former NFL lineman. Tucker, who played at Wyomissing, has deep contacts throughout college football and remains dialed into Berks football.
After the “Starting Lineup” team has been announced MikeDragoSports.com will present the “Berks Watch List,” which will include 50 more other top players to watch this season.
