Ryker Jones is Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week
Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week
The best defensive player on the Lancaster-Lebanon League’s top-rated defense is often overshadowed by the huge linemen who play in front of him. Still, it’s hard to miss Wyomissing linebacker Ryker Jones.
The 6-foot, 190-pound junior is all over the field, making plays sideline to sideline and in the open field on kickoffs.
He was on the field for roughly 20 defensive snaps Saturday in a 38-7 win over Cocalico and recorded a team-high 10 tackles to earn Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week honors.
“He’s as good a hitter as we have — or we’ve ever had,” said Wyomissing coach Bob Wolfrum. “He really explodes on people, and he likes to hit. He just likes contact.”
Jones is mobile enough to play outside linebacker, or anywhere in the defensive backfield, but Wolfrum likes him in the middle of things.
“He’s closer to the action (there),” Wolfrum said. “He can run sideline to sideline from the middle.
“If we put him on one side, it’s easier (for teams) to run away from him. The (inside) linebacker’s gotta be able to run, and they’re going to get more physical contact.”
Physical contact — that’s Jones’ game no matter where he lines up. He’s a halfback with breakaway speed but Wolfrum appreciates him for his blocking ability. He’s a key part of the Spartans’ goal line package.
“He’s the motion back, kicking at point of attack,” Wolfrum said. “He’s really good at that. That job is important. He’s had sonme devastating blocks on people down there.”
Jones has 38 tackles, not a huge number for seven games, but he, like most of Wyomissing’s other front-line defenders, are out of the game once the Spartans build a 35-point second-half lead — which has been almost every week.
“Ryker’s just a football player,” Wolfrum said. “He’s a hitter on both sides of the ball. He’s one of those guys that college coaches like because when he tackles somebody they go backwards. He really is a physical football player.”
Jones’ 38 tackles are 15 more than anyone else on a unit that ranks No. 1 in the league in total defense (150 yards per game), passing defense (33 yards per game) and scoring defense (7.4). The first-string defense has allowed only 31 points (24 against Berks Catholic).
Jones also handles punting duties for the Spartans.
He’s a hitter in baseball, too. He batted a team-leading .382 as a sophomore with a team-best .545 slugging percentage and 1.015 OPS.
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:
- Devin Garcia, Berks Catholic
- Lucas Palange, Exeter
- Dakota Thomas, Kutztown
- Gabriel Laws, Reading High
- Luke Spotts, Schuylkill Valley
- Nick Weitzel, 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, S, Exeter
- Week 5: Nafis Blythe, DE, Berks Catholic
- Week 6: Nick Weitzel, DE, Wilson
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
