Diamond Credit Union Lineman of the Week: Kyle Lash of Exeter

By Mike Drago Last updated Nov 16, 2021

Diamond Credit Union Lineman of the Week

A lot of people were stunned by the way Exeter plowed through Manheim Central last week in a District 3 Class 5A quarterfinal, with Eric Nangle running for three first-quarter touchdowns as the Eagles built a 36-point first-half lead.

They shouldn’t have been too surprised. The highest-scoring Exeter team in history has been doing that to teams all season and it starts up front, where the Eagles have three all-league picks on the offensive line.

Junior guard Kyle Lash was one of the guys leading the way during Nangle’s career-best performance, with five pancake blocks. The 6-1, 210-pound Lash earned a 96-percent blocking grade — and Diamond Credit Union Lineman of the Week honors, as well.

“Kyle has a relentless motor,” said Exeter coach Matt Bauer. “He is tremendously explosive and agile, which pairs well to being a guard in our offense. He gives everything he has on every play and is constantly striving to get better.”

Bauer said Lash was particularly effective at getting to the second level, where he was credited with five downfield blocks (10 or more yards past the line of scrimmage). That was a key as Nangle rushed for 230 yards and topped 1,000 for the season.

Lash, a first-year starter at guard, leads the team with more than 30 pancake blocks.

“He’s strong, explosive and athletic,” Bauer said. “He can adjust on the fly for trapping.”

The Eagles are averaging 40.3 points per game, on pace for a program record. Their best scoring average for a full season is 36.5, in 2015.

Lash is the Eagles’ third Diamond Credit Union Lineman of the Week pick this season, and their fourth Player of the Week selection. Lucas Palange has been named Lineman of the Week twice; Sam Orzolek was selected as Defensive Player of the Week.

Exeter faces Cedar Cliff Friday in a district semifinal; a win will send the Eagles to their first district championship game and give them three playoff victories in the same season for the first time.

Also nominated for Diamond Credit Union Lineman of the Week:

Jackson Huddleson, T, Berks Catholic
Jose Landrom, G, Gov. Mifflin
Jacob Lopez, C, Gov. Mifflin
Clay Reynolds, G, Gov. Mifflin
Charles Sheppard, DT, Hamburg
Jon Ramsey, G/DE, Wilson
Aiden Mack, TE/DE, Wyomissing
Preston Aikman, T, Wyomissing

Selected for Diamond Credit Union Lineman of the Week earlier this 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, Wyomissing
Week 7: Kyle Pry, 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.