Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week: Saints’ Nafis Blythe
Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week
Nafis Blythe has moved around a lot in his three seasons of high school football. He played at Upper Dublin as a freshman and at West Catholic in Philadelphia last year before transferring to Berks Catholic for his junior year.
With the Saints he’s moved around a lot, too, seeing time at outside linebacker, inside linebacker and in pass converage as a hybrid strong safety/linebacker.
Needing a better pass rush the Saints tried him at defensive end last week against Donegal. After recording three sacks in the 21-9 win he’s unlikely to move again.
“I found a permanent home,” said Blythe, who made 12 tackles and recovered a fumble to earn Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week.
“He might be the only guy I’ve ever coached who’s played all three levels of our defense,” said Berks Catholic coach Rick Keeley, the dean of Berks football coaches.
Blythe saw limited practice time at defensive end last week, when he was still working as a linebacker, as well. That will change this week.
“I think he’s found a home at D-end,” said Keeley. “He really, really (stood out) there.
“He’s physical enough to stop that off tackle play, but at the same time he’s our perimeter rusher, where you’ve gotta keep the quarterback inside you.
“He was just blowing past that tackle and getting right to the quarterback. He’s a good speed-rusher from end spot.”
Blythe was a key part of a defensive effort that limited Donegal to 109 total yards and helped the Saints earn their first win of the season.
“I’m definitely trying to turn the season around and pick up my team,” Blythe said. “(We’ll) just keep working at practice every week and we’re not going to stop. We just kept focused on defense because defense wins championships.”
Keeley knew right away in the summer after Blythe joined team workouts that he’d help the Saints somewhere this season. He’s 6-2, 205 pounds, fast and strong. Those are the right ingredients for the Wing-T fullback spot, where he’s been splitting time.
It took a little longer to find the right fit on defense.
“He is a gifted athlete,” Keeley said. “We knew he was gonna play somewhere.”
Blythe leads the team with 40 tackles and three sacks.
“I love Berks Catholic,” Blythe said. “I’m having a great year. I’m really proud to be a Saint.”
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:
- Jayden Zandier, DB, Exeter
- Owen Kotsch, LB, Fleetwood
- Chase Rapp, DB, Gov. Mifflin
- Charlie Zettlemoyer, LB, Hamburg
- Logan Cammauff, DB, Schuylkill Valley
- Ben Spiri, DB, Twin Valley
- Nick Weitzel, DE, Wilson
Selected earlier this season:
- Week 1: Jonathan Martin, LB, Exeter
- Week 2: Nate Capitano, S, Wilson
- Week 3: Ethan Kryman, LB, Daniel Boone
- Week 4: Nate Pashley, Exeter
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
