Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week: Jayden Zandier
Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week
Jayden Zandier’s three-touchdown performance in Exeter’s 31-9 win over Gov. Mifflin shouldn’t have come as a surprise.
The junior running back/receiver gave everyone a heads-up in May when he dominated at the annual Chris Nunn Memorial Berks County Football Combine, winning three of the six events and scoring more points than anyone.
He scored more points than anyone in the Eagles’ Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2 opener vs. Gov. Mifflin Friday with a touchdown reception and a pair of TD runs; he has been named Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week for the first time.
“I always knew he was tremendously athletically gifted and explosive,” said Exeter coach Matt Bauer after Zandier scored so well at the Combine. “I feel the Combine may have been his coming out party, so to speak. He was really ready to compete. I could see he was locked in and focused. He just put it all together.”
The Combine is often a key indicator of future success; many of the top finishers go on to earn all-league honors.
Zandier had the best time in the 40-yard dash (4.5) and the L-Cone agility drill (7.2) and the top distance in the 3-Hop drill (30 feet, 10 inches). He also scored in the Vertical Leap. He was the only athlete to finish first in more than one event.
The 6-2, 170-pound Zandier entered the season as a wide receiver but Bauer wanted to get the ball in his hands more often so he moved him into the backfield in Week 2. He had a breakout game Friday with a game-high 126 yards on 11 carries, including TD runs of 33 and 35 yards.
He continues to see time at receiver and opened the game with a 56-yard touchdown catch on a deep pass from Riley Martinez.
“It was so satisfying to hear the crowd erupt (after that score),” Zandier said.
For the season Zandier has run for a team-high five TDs and is averaging 11.4 yards on his 17 carries. He has three receptions for 110 yards, with two TDs. His seven touchdowns are tied for most in Berks.
Zandier completed a successful track season that saw him take second place in the long jump at the Shaner Meet and qualify for districts in the event. He ran an 11.53 in the 100 at the Firing Meet and was an alternate on the Eagles’ 4×100 relay team.
Players considered for Player of the Week honors are nominated by their coaches or by members of the MikeDragoSports.com coverage team.
Also considered for Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week:
- Evan Rittle, Conrad Weiser
- Czion Brickle, Fleetwood
- Grady Garner, Gov. Mifflin
- Mason Sherry, Kutztown
- Aaden Lopez, Muhlenberg
- Logan Nawrocki, Schuylkill Valley
- Drew Engle, Twin Valley
- Madyx Gruber, Wilson
- Justice Hardy, Wyomissing
Selected earlier this season:
- Week 1: Tyler Shuey, Hamburg
- Week 2: Tommy Hunsicker, Wilson
- Week 3: Dominic Giuffre, Schuylkill Valley
Players selected last season:
- Week 1: Gio Cavanna, Muhlenberg
- Week 2: Cam Jones, Wilson
- Week 3: Pierce Mason, Hamburg
- Week 4: Gio Cavanna, Muhlenberg
- Week 5: Josiah Jordan, Berks Catholic
- Week 6: Ruben Rodriguez, Reading High
- Week 7: Cam Jones, Wilson
- Week 8: Dominic Giuffre, Schuylkill Valley
- Week 9: Leland Moore, Hamburg
- Week 10: Cam Jones, Wilson
- Week 11: Pierce Mason, Hamburg
- Week 12: Evan Johnson, Twin Valley
