Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week: Drew Eisenhower
Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week
You’ve got to be careful throwing deep against Wyomissing. If senior safety Drew Eisenhower gets his hands on the ball he transforms instantly into running back mode — and that can be a dangerous thing.
Eisenhower made a leaping catch at midfield for an interception Friday at Conrad Weiser. He tucked the ball under, headed down the left sideline, picked up a nice wall of blockers and eased into the end zone with a 50-yard touchdown return.
It was his second interception of the game and second touchdown in the opening minute of the second half, helping the unbeaten Spartans pull away for a 49-10 win after allowing the first TD of the game.
Eisenhower had three tackles to go with his two picks and has been named Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week.
Eisenhower is known more for his work on offense, where he is averaging 11.8 yards per carry and has scored 11 touchdowns as part of Wyomissing’s potent offense. He also leads the team with nine receptions.
Last year he scored 19 touchdowns, including 13 rushing, three on receptions and one on a kickoff return.
The 5-10, 185-pound Eisenhower had just three carries against the Scouts Friday but finished with a game-high 88 yards, most of that on a 61-yard TD run.
On the next play from scrimmage he was back in the end zone after intercepting a pass.
“(I wanted to) go up, try to high point it and see what happens from there,” Eisenhower said of the Pick Six. “On that return it was blocked beautifully. Everyone turned around right away and hit someone. It was great.”
Eisenhower was second in Berks as a junior with four interceptions; he is tied for second in the county this season with three.
“He’s like our quarterback on defense,” Wyomissing coach Bob Wolfrum said. “He knows what’s going on and he helps everybody else out.
“At safety we can bring him down into the box when we want the extra hat (against the running game). He’s not afraid to stick his nose in for tackles in the run game; he tackles very well.”
Eisenhower was one of four freshman on a 2019 Wyomissing team that finally broke through with a District 3 championship after some tough playoff losses in the seasons before. He, like Matt Kramer, Ben Zechman and Ian Levering — the other freshmen on that squad — watched and learned and were ready when they needed to perform in moments that really mattered.
“I loved just being part of the team, being around the atmosphere,” said Eisenhower, who has helped the Spartans reach the PIAA championship game in back-to-back years. “I learned a whole bunch that year from guys like Max (Hurleman) and Jevin (Tranquillo). I think that helped me through my whole career.”
Eisenhower is well-rounded on the football field and off it: He carries a 4.0-plus GPA and is a starter on both the basketball and baseball teams. He was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year in the West Reading Summer basketball league, where he earned a spot on the All-Star team.
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:
- Kevin Olivier, FS, Berks Catholic
- Ryan Souder, LB, Daniel Boone
- Brenden Ackley, LB, Kutztown
- Luke Spotts , DB, Schuylkill Valley
- Markell Norris, Twin Valley
- Nick Crocona, LB, 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
- Week 7: Ryker Jones, LB, Wyomissing
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
