Mason Semmel is Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week
Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week
His team gave up 23 first downs, 35 points and allowed Upper Dauphin to score a pair of early touchdowns to take a 14-point lead, but still Hamburg coach Matt Hoffert felt his defense played well Friday in a District 3 Class 3A playoff win on Hawk Hill.
The Hawks forced five punts, were strong on third downs — the Trojans converted just 5-of-13 — and made enough key defensive plays to hold on for a 49-35 win.
No one made more big plays than junior linebacker Mason Semmel. He had 11 tackles, including a pair of sacks, and has earned Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week.
He’s the first player from the offensive-minded Hawks to win the award this season.
“Mason is one of our captains and one of our most consistent guys week in and week out on both sides of the ball,” said Hoffert. “He made some big plays on Friday night in important situations to help us get the win.”
Each of Semmel’s sacks came early in the second half, helping the Hawks break from a 14-14 halftime tie. They had the first three scores of the third quarter and held the lead the rest of the way.
Semmel had a sack for a 7-yard loss on Upper Dauphin’s first play of the second half. He also had a sack on the opening play of the Trojans’ next drive.
“He moved off the line (after) last year and has done a great job at outside ‘backer,” Hoffert said. “He’s a guy we can move just about anywhere on the defense and he makes plays. He has a nose for the football.”
The 6-3, 210-pound Semmel is the Hawks’ top-rated defensive player. He leads team with 40 solo tackles and with with five sacks, is second with 16.5 tackles for loss and with 64 total tackles. He has forced two fumbles and has two pass break-ups.
Semmel also had three receptions against Upper Dauphin and, as H-back, was a key blocker in a rushing attack that netted 376 yards — 268 of it courtesy of Pierce Mason.
“He’s a team player and will do anything to help the team be successful,” Hoffert said of Semmel. “He will be very important to us going into next year not only as a returning captain but as a playmaker on both sides of the ball.”
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 for Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week:
- Nafis Blythe, DE, Berks Catholic
- Luke Imellizzeri, LB, Berks Catholic
- Conner Pennington, LB, Berks Catholic
- Cohen Correll, S, Hamburg
- Derek Ruiz, CB, Hamburg
- Cooper Hohenadel, CB,Schuylkill Valley
Selected earlier this season:
- Week 1: Jonathan Martin, LB, Exeter
- Week 2: Nate Capitano, S, Wilson
- Week 3: Ethan Kryman, LB, Daniel Boone
- Week 4: Nate Pashley, S, Exeter
- Week 5: Nafis Blythe, E, Berks Catholic
- Week 6: Nick Weitzel, E, Wilson
- Week 7: Ryker Jones, LB, Wyomissing
- Week 8: Drew Eisenhower, SS, Wyomissing
- Week 9: Mason Marks, DB, Twin Valley
- Week 10: Lucas Palange, LB, Exeter
Selected last season as Defensive Player of the Week:
- Week 1: Brett Organtini, LB, Conrad Weiser
- Week 2: Eden Johnson, S, Gov. Mifflin
- Week 3: Josiah Jordan, CB, Berks Catholic
- Week 4: Matt Kramer, LB, Wyomissing
- Week 5: Ryan Souder, LB, Daniel Boone
- Week 6: Nevin Carter, CB, Wyomissing
- Week 7: Nate Goodman, E, Gov. Mifflin
- Week 8: Sam Orzolek, T, Exeter
- Week 9: Cam Jones, CB, Wilson
- Week 10: Aaron Shuker, LB, Muhlenberg
- Week 11: Mitchell Watt, E, Hamburg
- Week 12: Tyler Givens, E, Berks Catholic
- Week 13: Jack Miller, LB, Wyomissing
- Week 14: Ty Yocum, LB, Exeter
