Nate Pashley is Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week
Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week
All Nate Pashley did Friday night for Exeter was make big plays.
There was the fourth-down pass breakup in the red zone midway through the second quarter, when the Eagles led by just eight over Gov. Mifflin.
There was the interception a few minutes later.
The touchdown-saving tackle on the final play of the first half.
And finally the fumble recovery in the final minute of the third quarter, after the Mustangs had entered Exeter territory.
No wonder Matt Bauer handed him the game ball after the 36-6 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2 victory at Mifflin Stadium.
“He definitely has nose for the football,” said Bauer of Pashley, who earns Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week for spearheading the Eagles’ effort.
The Mustangs became the first team to score against Exeter’s first-string defensive when Delsin McNeil snuck in from the 1 midway through the third quarter, cutting the lead to 15-6.
Pashley’s clutch plays in the red zone made sure the Mustangs didn’t get closer.
The 6-1, 155-pound junior made a critical play when he knocked Jackson Parker out of bounds inside the 1 on the final play of the first half, after a 33-yard reception. Exeter went into halftime leading 15-0.
Pashley’s arrival last spring from Conwell Egan, where he played as a sophomore, has been a huge plus to the Eagles’ defense and special teams. He starts at safety, is averaging 19.4 yards on seven punt returns and is a gunner on punts.
He also earned a game ball following the 35-0 win over West York, when he recovered a fumbled punt for a touchdown.
“I could tell right away that he was definitely a football-first type kid,” Bauer said. “I saw how fast and agile he is. I haven’t had a lot of transfers like that that really worked out the way he has. I’m thrilled to have him; he’s such a great kid. Such a student of the game. He just plays so hard.”
Pashley also plays wide receiver. He played safety and receiver last season at Egan, helping the Eagles go 8-3 overall and 5-2 in the Catholic League.
He also competed in track and field, running the 100 and 200.
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:
- Josiah Jordan, CB, Berks Catholic
- Adam Noll, P/PK, Conrad Weiser
- Ethan Kryman, LB, Daniel Boone
- Isaiah Casseus, T, Wilson
- Ryker Jones, LB, Wyomissing
Selected earlier this season:
- Week 1: Jonathan Martin, LB, Exeter
- Week 2: Nate Capitano, S, Wilson
- Week 3: Ethan Kryman, LB, Daniel Boone
Selected last 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
- Week 14: Ty Yocum, LB, Exeter