Once again, Eagles’ Kyle Lash is Diamond Credit Union Lineman of the Week
Diamond Credit Union Lineman of the Week
It was easy to see Kyle Lash making plays on defense for Exeter Friday night. He seemed to be in the Manheim Central backfield as often as the Barons’ backs, especially in the final minute when he made a pivotal stop for a loss.
He was just as good on the offensive end where he graded out at 90 percent, scored three pancake blocks and didn’t allow a sack in the Eagles’ pulsating 21-17 victory at Manheim, which locked up a perfect season and the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2 title.
For the second straight week the 6-1, 210-pound senior has been named Diamond Credit Union Lineman of the week.
The offensive guard helped the Eagles control the game with their strong running attack, which netted 253 yards, 144 of it courtesy of Richie Karstien.
“He exploded off the ball to create seams and had good pull blocks in creating an edge,” Exeter coach Matt Bauer said of Lash.
Lash spearheaded a game-saving goal-line stand, starting it with a tackle for a 3-yard loss after the Barons had a first down at the 2.
Lucas Palange followed with a second-down sack and Nate Pashley sealed it with a third-down interception.
“We just needed to make a play (and) somebody needed to step up,” Palange said of his sack. “Kyle got through and made the first hit, I came in and finished him.
” It was just a great series of events to end the game.”
Lash made eight tackles, had a sack and three hurries in helping the Eagles limit the high-scoring Barons to just one offensive touchdown. They had been averaging 55.7 points per game, second-highest in the state.
The Barons rushed for just 67 yards on 26 attempts.
Lash is a two-year-, two-way starter. He was a second-team all-league pick on offense at guard as a junior and has been a vital part of an Eagles line that has dominated play every week.
The unbeaten Eagles are ranked No. 2 in the state, behind Upper Dublin, by PennLive.com. Lash was a key part of Exeter’s first District 3 championship team last season.
“Kyle’s motor is second to none,” Bauer said. “He just plays the game at such a high level, and at such a fast pace. I just love the way he approaches the game. He is so intense and so physical and never takes a play off.”
Lash is second on the team with 13 tackles for loss, second with 4 1/2 sacks, third with 64 tackles and fourth with nine hurries.
Lash transferred from Wilson before his sophomore year and moved into the Eagles defensive rotation midway through his first season at Exeter.
He is getting colleg looks from Pennsylvania Conference programs, according to Bauer.
Lash attends Antietam and plays for Exeter under the PIAA’s joint cooperative sponsorship program.
He is Exeter’s fourth pick this season for Lineman of the Week honors, following Palanage in Week 1 and Anthony Caccese in Week 8.
Players considered for Player of the Week honors are nominated by their coaches or by members of the MikeDragoSports.com coverage team.
Also nominated for Diamond Credit Union Lineman of the Week:
- Paul Engleman, Schuylkill Valley
- Logan Kurzweg, Wilson
- Pacen Ziegler, Wyomissing
Selected earlier this season:
- Week 1: Lucas Palange, G, Exeter
- Week 2: Jack Gartner, G, Wyomissing
- Week 3: Jven Williams, G/DT, Wyomissing
- Week 4: Anthony Caccese, T/T, Exeter
- Week 5: Charles Sheppard, T/T Hamburg
- Week 6: Jackson Haas, G, Berks Catholic
- Week 7: Tyler Hallock, T/T, Kutztown
- Week 8: Anthony Caccese, T/T, Exeter
- Week 9: Kyle Lash, G/T, Exeter
Selected for Diamond Credit Union Lineman of the Week last season:
- Week 1: Tyler Hallock, T, Kutztown
- Week 2: Lucas Palange, G, Exeter
- Week 3: Colin Leahy, T, Daniel Boone
- Week 4: Josh Pazdrick, TE, Conrad Weiser
- Week 5: Nate Goodman, Gov. Mifflin
- Week 6: Jven Williams, G, Wyomissing
- Week 7: Kyle Pry, T, Boyertown
- Week 8: Lucas Palange, G, Exeter
- Week 9: Jon Ramsey, G, Wilson
- Week 10: Jack Durning, C, Wilson
- Week 11: Dominic Memmo, DT, Wilson
- Week 12: Kyle Lash, T, Exeter
- Week 13: Anthony Caccese, T, Exeter
- Week 14: Jven Williams, G, Wyomissing
