Exeter’s Jayden Ware picks off Body Zone Physical Therapy POW honors

By Mike Drago Last updated Dec 4, 2024

Jayden Ware showed his potential for making big plays in big spots as a freshman when he came off the bench during Exeter’s run to the PIAA Class 5A basketball championship game.

Two years later he’s doing the same on the football field. He had a pair of interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, in a district playoff win over South Western Friday to earn Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week for the first time.

“He has a knack every time he touches the ball to do something special,” said Eagles coach Matt Bauer.

Both of Ware’s interceptions came in the first half, helping the Eagles to a fast start in their 56-3 opening-round romp.

The first came when he knocked a ball away from a receiver and into the air, then reached up with one hand and snatched the ball as he was falling to the ground.

“Playing receiver, it’s really just second nature for me,” he said of his impressive one-handed grab.

The second interception came later in the half when he dropped back in coverage and picked off an overthrown pass. He said film study and preparation during the week helped him read the quarterback and make the play.

“We knew where he was going (with his passes),” Ware said of South Western’s Bryce Graham. “He wasn’t looking anybody off.”

Ware corralled the ball at the South Western 36, then took off down the left sideline and picked up a couple of blocks on his way to his first Pick-Six, diving at the pilon to complete the play.

That was one of four interceptions for the Eagles; Carter Redding also had two, and took one back 85 yards for a score.

“We work really hard on takeaways and winning the turnover (battle),” Bauer said. “And we worked very hard this week on getting our hands up in the passing lanes. We tipped a couple balls (at the line), guys came down with them and we were able to swing momentum in our favor. We have pretty fast kids in the secondary and they can take it the distance on any play.”

The way All-State tailback Jayden Zandier dominates in the running game Ware, a wide receiver, doesn’t get many touches on offense, especially with starting quarterback Riley Martinez sidelined by a lower leg injury.

He’s hoping to get more chances with the ball next season when he’ll be a senior and one of the key guys expected to fill the void of Zandier, the program’s all-time leader in rushing yards, touchdowns, and point.

“He’s the future of this program,” Bauer said of Ware. “He’s definitely stepping into a huge leadership role for us (next season).”

Ware shares the team lead in interceptions with Redding, each with three. He is tied for second on the team with 15 receptions and tied for the team lead with six touchdown receptions; his 18.3 yard-per-catch average is tops on the team.

Ware is the first Exeter player to earn Defensive Player of the Week honors this season. Jonathan Martin, Nate Pashley and Lucas Palange each earned it in 2022. The Eagles’ Ty Yocum was Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.

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.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Body Zone Physical Therapy is sponsoring the Defensive Player of the Week. At the end of the season a Defensive Player of the Year will be named.