Ryker Jones is Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive POW for third time
Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week
It took a while for Wyomissing’s top-ranked defensive unit to adjust to the varied sets West Perry displayed and to the unusual footspeed of quarterback Marcus Quaker. He zipped around right end for a 12-yard gain on his first run of the District 3 Class 3A championship game Saturday, setting up a score on the Mustangs’ opening drive.
The Spartans adjusted quickly. Inside linebacker Ryker Jones was the first to do so. He sprinted to the sideline the second time Quaker took off and knocked him out of bounds after a minimal gain. On West Perry’s next series Jones, along with Jven Williams, ran Quaker down for a sack.
That was one of a team-high 10 tackles in yet another standout performance by the Spartans junior, who has been named Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week following the 63-7 victory. Jones was selected for the third time this season and second straight week.
“Ryker’s a heckuva defensive football player,” said Wyomissing coach Bob Wolfrum. “He’s got really good speed and he’ll figure things out as the game goes on.
“He’s fast enough to catch a kid like (Quaker). Not every inside backer is gonna catch that kid out on the sideline.”
Jones can run down just about any play. A week earlier, in a 49-14 win over Hamburg, he made a team-high 11 tackles and helped put the clamps on one of District 3’s highest-scoring teams and one of the best backs in the Lancaster-Lebanon League, Pierce Mason.
“Ryker’s strength is how well he moves,” said Wolfrum of the 6-foot, 190-pound Jones.
The Spartans defense always rallies multiple players to the football; Jones is often the first to get there. He leads the team with 66 tackles — 20 more than any other player. With Jones it’s not just quantity but quality — he makes an impact when he makes a tackle.
“He’s as good a hitter as we have — or we’ve ever had,” Wolfrum said. “He really explodes on people, and he likes to hit.”
Jones also handles punting duties — though with Wyo’s offense, he doesn’t get much work — and is a backup running back. He’s a fierce blocker, often utilized in goal-line situations. He averages 7.8 yards per carry and showed off both his power and speed against West Perry, taking his only carry 44 yards for a touchdown.
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 for Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week:
- Miles Brant, LB, Exeter
- Kyle Lash, T, Exeter
- Lucas Palange, LB, Exeter
- Ethan Brower, DB, Wyomissing
- Drew Forrey, LB, Wyomissing
- Colin Niedrowski, LB, 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, E, Berks Catholic
- Week 6: Nick Weitzel, E, Wilson
- Week 7: Ryker Jones, LB, Wyomissing
- Week 8: Drew Eisenhower, SS, Wyomissing
- Week 9: Mason Marks, DB, Twin Valley
- Week 10: Lucas Palange, LB, Exeter
- Week 11: Mason Semmel, LB, Hamburg
- Week 12: 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, E, Gov. Mifflin
- Week 8: Sam Orzolek, T, Exeter
- Week 9: Cam Jones, CB, Wilson
- Week 10: Aaron Shuker, LB, Muhlenberg
- Week 11: Mitchell Watt, E, Hamburg
- Week 12: Tyler Givens, E, Berks Catholic
- Week 13: Jack Miller, LB, Wyomissing
- Week 14: Ty Yocum, LB, Exeter
