Jayden Zandier, Exeter run past Boyertown
2024 Berks football coverage
presented by UECU
By Clay Oberholtzer — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent
Jayden Zandier put on a show in front of Exeter’s home crowd in the Eagles’ home opener, scoring three touchdowns in a 49-7 non-league win over Boyertown.
Zandier showcased his abilities in the first half, rushing for 163 yards, catching a pass for 25 yards and scoring two touchdowns.
He touched the ball just once in the second half, scoring on a 67-yard. He finished with 205 yards on just eight carries.
“I really just trust my linemen, so once I got the ball, I literally just stop there for a second and let my linemen get in front of me,” said Zandier, an All-State pick after a breakout junior season.
Using patience, he waited for his lanes to open up before he used his sudden bursts to gash the Bears’ defense over and over.
“Once I see the cutback lane, I’m out,” said Zandier.
It was not entirely a one-man show.
The Eagles defense was stout. They never allowed room for the Bears’ offense to operate and forced six punts. They only allowed five plays of 10 or more yards.
The Bears’ only score was set up by a Tilman Henkey kick return in the final seconds of the half; Michael Boorse scored on a 25-yard run as time expired in the first half, which ended with Exeter leading 35-7.
The Bears 3-for-13 on third-down conversions.
The pressure created by the Eagle defense never allowed quarterback Connor Foskey room to operate. Despite only getting to the quarterback for one sack, the front seven constantly had Foskey escaping the pocket or throwing with defenders bearing down on him.
In last year’s matchup with Boyertown, the Eagles allowed 122 yards through the air. The new-look secondary allowed just 33 passing yards.
It may just be two weeks in but a defense that had some question marks at the beginning of the season, may have found the answers to success.
Though dominant, it was not a flawless game by the Eagles, who committed seven penalties for 60 yards.
“We definitely have to be more disciplined with the flags,” Zandier said. “Pick each other up as teammates, not just picking out people who make mistakes.”
Eagles junior quarterback Riley Martinez looked sharp, completing 6-of-9 passes for 95 yards. With Zandier drawing in the Boyertown defense it was easier for Martinez to navigate the Bears defense. Though he didn’t throw for as many yards as in last year’s game, Martinez improved at protecting the ball. Three of Martinez’s nine interceptions last year came against the Bears. Through the first two games, he has not thrown one on fifteen pass attempts.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Boyertown | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Exeter | 7 | 28 | 14 | 0 | 49 |
Scoring summary
| 1 | Exeter | J. Zandier, 65 run (Gaston kick) | 5:31 |
| 2 | Exeter | Stutzman, 1 run (Gaston kick) | 11:30 |
| 2 | Exeter | J. Zandier, 37 run (Gaston kick) | 8:48 |
| 2 | Exeter | Prizer, 19 run (Gaston kick) | 3:27 |
| 2 | Exeter | Redding, 12 pass from Martinez (Gaston kick) | 0:33 |
| 2 | Boyertown | Boorse, 25 run (Morgan kick) | 0:00 |
| 3 | Exeter | J. Zandier, 67 run (Gaston kick) | 8:48 |
| 3 | Exeter | Brown, 1 run (Gaston kick) | 0:22 |
Team statistics
| BOYERTOWN | EXETER | |
| First downs | 8 | 16 |
| Rushes-yards | 34-182 | 30-295 |
| Passing yards | 33 | 95 |
| Total yards | 215 | 390 |
| Passes | 4-9-0 | 6-11-0 |
| Fumbles-lost | 2-1 | 1-0 |
| Punts-average | 6-26.8 | 1-39 |
| Penalties-yards | 5-15 | 7-60 |
Individual statistics
RUSHING
Boyertown: Rotunda 7-72, Boorse 10-61, Burris 5-19, Billetta 2-11, Oakes 1-8, McCullough 2-7, Hagan 2-5, Palmiero 1-5, Foskey 4-(-6).
Exeter: J. Zandier 8-205, Alvarez 6-27, Prizer 2-27, Brown 4-23, Stutzman 2-15, Jackson 2-4 Fuller 3-0, Martinez 3-(-6).
PASSING
Boyertown: Foskey 7-11-0–33, Royce 0-1-0–0.
Exeter: Martinez 6-9-0–95, Team 0-2-0–0.
RECEIVING
Boyertown: Henley 2-17, Oakes 2-11, Boorse 2-8, Ferri 1-(-3).
Exeter: Redding 3-42, J. Zandier 1-25, Ware 1-19, Stutzman 1-9.
MISSED FIELD GOALS
Boyertown: Morgan 37.
