Nick Weitzel is Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week
Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week
As a long-time track coach Doug Dahms appreciates speed.
As Wilson’s football coach he likes it, too, especially from his defensive ends. He wants them to be explosive and quick in order to chase down plays in the flats and storm the pocket.
Nick Weitzel is able to do that and, at 6-2, 210 pounds, do it with impact.
“He’s very athletic and physical off the edge,” Dahms said of his senior end. “He’s quick.”
Weitzel put those skills on display Saturday in a 32-14 win at Gov. Mifflin when he recorded 2 1/2 sacks and several hurries.
His play sparked a strong defensive effort that brought home the Gurki-Linn Trophy and earned Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The Bulldogs’ first-string defense allowed just one TD over the first three quarters.
“We played very aggressively, which I liked,” Dahms said. “We got after things. That was part of the game plan.”
Weitzel, a versatile, three-sport athlete, was a key part of that plan of attack.
The Mustangs don’t pass much — they had just six attempts among their 48 offensive snaps — but he was in the pocket on most of them.
“He goes to the side where we want the speed coming from,” Dahms said. “His role is beat the tackle, then run plays down or pressure the QB.
“They’ve got to account for him if they’re going to pass.”
For the season Weitzel has 20 tackles, including 5 1/2 for loss, second-most on the team. His 2 1/2 sacks lead the team. He also has two pass break-ups and a forced fumble.
Weitzel is Wilson’s lone return starter along the defensive line. He was part of a unit that helped the Bulldogs go 9-4, win the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 title and reach the District 3 Class 6A championship game.
Weitzel is the second Wilson player selected as Defensive Player of the Week this season, and the fourth to earn a Player of the Week honor. Nate Capitano was selected Defensive Player of the Week following a win over Central Dauphin. Cam Jones has twice been selected Offensive Player of the Week, after wins over Central Dauphin and Gov. Mifflin.
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 considered this week:
- Nafis Blythe, Berks Catholic
- Sevon Parham, Conrad Weiser
- Max Heffner, Daniel Boone
- Lucas Palange, Exeter
- Gerrell McNeil, Gov. Mifflin
- Evan Myers, Twin Valley
- Ryker Jones, Wyomissing
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, S, Exeter
- Week 5: Nafis Blythe, DE, Berks Catholic
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
