Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week: Stewie Janowski
Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week
It’s a well-worn cliché to say a player has “a nose for the ball” but in Stewie Janowski’s case it seems to apply.
The Gov. Mifflin defensive end was in the right spot at the right time Friday, covering a blocked punt in the end zone and recovering a fumble to set up a score in a 35-16 win over Boyertown.
Linemen rarely get to touch the ball but the 6-3, 225-pound senior chased it down for his first touchdown after Brandon Jones’ first-quarter punt block.
“I played football for 12 years,” said Mifflin coach Jeff Lang, “never got to score a point my entire life. For him to be able to do that, that’s pretty neat; that’s something he’ll remember forever.”
Janowski was in on five tackles and was credited with 1 ½ sacks in the Mustangs’ second straight win to earn Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week for the first time.
“He’s very, very coachable, he’s a good technician and he’s smart,” said Lang. “He’s not the biggest kid, he’s not the strongest, he’s not the fastest, but his technique is so good and he’s able to transfer what we coach him. He gets the job done and does a nice job at it.”
Janowski’s hustle and awareness set the Mustangs up for their second touchdown. When Ismael Ayala Vargas knocked the ball loose from a Boyertown ballcarrier it squirted forward and Janowski covered it at the Bears’ 41. One play later Grady Garner powered his way into the end zone for a 14-0 lead.
Jones’ punt block came on the Bears’ next series; Janowski’s score made it 20-0 with 5:19 left in the first quarter.
“He’s not a flash in the pan,” Lang said, “we get good play out of him every week. He’s doing what we coach him to do and he’s successful at it.”
Janowski also starts at right tackle on offense. He earned an 81 percent blocking grade and, along with tackle Kabine Toure, guards Dylon Worley and Presley Rinker and center Gavin Kelly, paved the way for 223 first-half rushing yards.
Mifflin led 35-0 at halftime. The game was suspended during halftime and completed Saturday morning.
Janowski is the first Mifflin player selected for this award this season; none were selected last season.
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:
- Connor Reed, Daniel Boone
- Aidan Dauble, Exeter
- Lucas Spotts, Schuylkill Valley
- Lucas Myers, Twin Valley
- Collin Niedrowski, Wyomissing
Selected earlier this season:
- Week 1: Lucas Myers, Twin Valley
- Week 2: Michael Odeyemi, Reading High
Selected last season as Defensive Player of the Week:
- Week 1: Jonathan Martin, Exeter
- Week 2: Nate Capitano, Wilson
- Week 3: Ethan Kryman, Daniel Boone
- Week 4: Nate Pashley, Exeter
- Week 5: Nafis Blythe, Berks Catholic
- Week 6: Nick Weitzel, Wilson
- Week 7: Ryker Jones, Wyomissing
- Week 8: Drew Eisenhower, Wyomissing
- Week 9: Mason Marks, Twin Valley
- Week 10: Lucas Palange, Exeter
- Week 11: Mason Semmel, Hamburg
- Week 12: Ryker Jones, Wyomissing
