Exeter, Mifflin lead historic haul on Class 5A All-State team

Exeter’s never had a football season quite like 2021. The Eagles reached their first district championship game. They won their first District 3 title. They played in the PIAA semifinals for the first time. And now they’ve got more All-State picks than any Class 5A team in the state.

Linebacker J.R. Strauss is a repeat pick and one of five Eagles selected for the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 5A All-State team. He’s joined by linebacker Ty Yocum, offensive lineman Kyle Helm, running back Eric Nangle and tight end Joey Schlaffer.

“It was a special group, no question about it,” said Exeter coach Matt Bauer. “It was a spectacular season with a spectacular group of kids. Hopefully it sets a benchmark for the program.”

The five Eagles are part of the largest contingent of Berks players ever to earn All-State honors in one classification, with 11 players selected.

Gov. Mifflin earned four spots on the team, including Player of the Year for running back Nick Singleton. He is joined by linebacker Trey Rock, defensive back Eden Johnson and offensive lineman Jonah Naugle.

Tanner Maddocks becomes the first Fleetwood player ever chosen; he was selected as a defensive back.

Nate Millard becomes Daniel Boone’s first All-State pick in 12 years; he was selected as a specialist.

“It’s very enlightening, to show what Berks County football is about,” said Bauer.

There are six linebackers on the 39-member team and half of them are from Berks. Seeing teammates such as Strauss and Yocum picked at the same position on an All-State team is rare.

“It’s hard to get one from a team, let alone two,” said Bauer. “They both deserved it.”

Singleton, a three-time All-State pick, rushed for 2,059 yards and scored 44 touchdowns in 11 games. He went for 330 yards in a district quarterfinal vs. Warwick and led Berks in rushing for four straight seasons. He also returned kicks and played linebacker and cornerback. He is committed to Penn State.

Strauss, a two-time pick, had 77 tackles for a defense that allowed just 244 yards per game and came up with a huge effort to end Mifflin’s perfect season. The 6-3, 210-pound senior also played tight end and H-back and had 28 receptions, with eight TDs. He is committed to Villanova.

The 6-foot, 220-pound Yocum was Linebacker of the Year in Berks and in Section 1 of the Berks Football League. He had a team-leading 105 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two blocked punts. He also started at H-back and scored 14 TDs. He is committed to Merrimack College.

Schlaffer, a 6-6, 210-pound junior, was co-Receiver of the Year in Section 1 of Berks Football League. He led the District 3 champs with 48 catches, averaged 17.1 per catch and scored 10 TDs. He is committed to Penn State.

Helm made remarkable strides in his senior season after missing time the last two seasons due to injuries. The 6-2, 315-pound center was a huge presence in middle of an O-line that was the key to District 3 championship team. He earned a 94 percent blocking grade, the highest in 30 years of tracking such things at the school.

“Him doing what he did in one season, that’s very impressive,” said Bauer. “That’s definitely making the most of your season.”

Nangle ran for a program-record 1,814 yards, more than 900 of it over four district playoff games. He went for 332 yards and six TDs vs. Cedar Cliff in the semifinals and for 225 yards and the clinching score vs. Gov. Mifflin in title game. He scored 23 TDs and averaged 7.1 yards per carry.

Rock, a 6-1, 215-pound senior, led the Mustangs with 111 tackles, forced three fumbles, had four sacks and seven tackles for loss. He also rushed for 451 yards.

Johnson, a 5-11, 195-pound senior, was Defensive Back of the Year in Berks and set the tone defensively with his big hits. He also quarterbacked the team to 10-1 record and averaged 7.4 yards per carry.

Naugle, a 6-2, 300-pound senior, was Offensive Lineman of the Year in Section 1 of the Berks League. He helped the Mustangs rush for 375 yards per game and average 47.5 points.

Millard was an All-Berks punter and all-league placekicker. He hit 4-of-7 field goal attempts with long of 46. He was good on 23-of-25 PATs, with 19 touchbacks in 10 games. He averaged 44.3 yards on his punts.

Millard is the first first-team pick at Daniel Boone since 2009, when both quarterback Jon Monteiro and defensive lineman Mitchell Stead were selected.

Maddocks, a 6-1, 172-pound senior committed to Villanova, was a true lock-down cornerback. Had seven interceptions and took three back for scores. He also started at quarterback and led the Tigers to seven wins, second-most in program history, and to the Eastern Conference championship. He threw for 1,520 yards and 14 TDs and ran for 624 yards.

John Ruane of PIAA champion Penn-Trafford was named Coach of the Year. His team had three All-State selections, including running back Cade Yacamelli.

Imhotep Charter, which reached the PIAA championship game, had four All-State selections, including defensive lineman Enai White, who is committed to Texas A&M. He is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the state by some recruiting websites.

---

Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 5A All-State

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nick Singleton, Gov. Mifflin 

COACH OF THE YEAR: John Ruane, Penn-Trafford 

Offense

Quarterback 

Bobby McClosky, East Stroudsburg South — 6-2, 180 Sr. 

Brad Birch, Gateway — 6-0, 190 Soph. 

Colin O’Sullivan, Upper Dublin — 6-0, 185 Jr. 

Carter Green, Penn-Trafford — 5-10, 170 Sr. 

Running Back 

Eric Nangle, Exeter — 5-10, 175 Sr. 

Dayshawn Jacobs, West Chester Rustin — 5-9, 175 Sr. 

Nick Singleton, Gov. Mifflin — 6-0, 218 Sr. 

Cade Yacamelli, Penn-Trafford — 6-0, 205 Sr. 

Jontae Morris, Cedar Cliff — 5-10, 160 Sr. 

Zyree Brooks, Spring Grove — 5-8, 170 Sr. 

Wide Receiver 

Patrick Body, Gateway — 6-2, 175 Sr. 

Cooper Eckert, Warwick — 5-9, 170 Sr. 

Jeff Nyamekye, Red Lion — 6-0, 170 Sr. 

Tight End 

Joey Schlaffer, Exeter — 6-6, 210 Jr. 

Offensive Line 

Trent Fraley, Moon Area — 6-3, 290 Sr. 

Declan Ochendowski, Penn-Trafford — 6-3, 240 Sr. 

Jonah Naugle, Gov. Mifflin — 6-2, 300 Sr. 

Caden Pustelak, Cathedral Prep — 6-4, 305 Sr. 

Kyle Helm, Exeter — 6-2, 315 Sr. 

Brandon Lawhorn-Moore, Kiski Area — 6-6, 295 Sr. 

Athlete 

Michael Parks, Cathedral Prep — 5-8, 164 Sr. 

Brett Gerlach, Central Mountain — 6-0, 180 Sr. 

Defense

Defensive Line 

Anthony Smith, Shippensburg — 6-7, 275 Sr. 

Enai White, Imhotep Charter — 6-5, 235 Sr. 

Ben Bladel, Moon Area — 6-0, 235 Sr. 

Keon Wylie, Imhotep Charter — 6-3, 220 Sr. 

Linebacker 

Jeremiah Hasley, Pine-Richland — 6-3, 225 Sr. 

Ty Yocum, Exeter — 6-0, 220 Sr. 

Trey Rock, Gov. Mifflin — 6-1, 215 Sr. 

Maurice Beverly, Imhotep Charter — 6-0, 215 Sr. 

Micah Walizer, Central Mountain — 5-11, 225 Sr. 

J.R. Strauss, Exeter — 6-3, 210 Sr. 

Defensive Back 

Tanner Maddocks, Fleetwood — 6-1, 172 Sr. 

Jamir Reyes, Imhotep Charter — 6-0, 185 Sr. 

Eden Johnson, Gov. Mifflin — 5-11, 185 Sr. 

Robert Dickerson, North Hills — 6-0, 190 Sr. 

Specialist 

Nate Millard, Daniel Boone — 5-10, 150 Sr. 

Athlete 

Parker Lawlor, Red Land — 6-0, 175 Jr. 

DaMario Crawford, Cathedral Prep — 5-10, 158 Jr.