Joel Ummarino: Wyomissing Physical Therapy Player of the Week

By Mike Drago Last updated Oct 18, 2025

Exeter's Joel Ummarino tries to stop Muhlenberg's Michael Miller Jr. (Logan Gehman photo)

When Exeter coach Matt Bauer calls Joel Ummarino the quarterback of his offensive line it’s not hyperbole.

Not only does the senior center call out blocking assignments and pass protection schemes at the line of scrimmage but he has such a high football IQ that he’s been granted the freedom to change plays – generally something reserved for the quarterback.

“I’ve never given that (option) to any lineman,” said Bauer.

Ummarino’s apparently been making the right calls: The Eagles are unbeaten, scoring nearly 44 points per game, and have one of the most productive rushing games in the Lancaster-Lebanon League. Their quarterbacks have been sacked one time in seven games.

Ummarino was certainly on point Friday in a 42-12 win over Muhlenberg, a game the Eagles dominated in every aspect, especially on the line of scrimmage.

The 6-2, 273-pound Ummarino earned a 96-percent blocking grade and had three pancake blocks on offense and made five tackles on defense to earn Wyomissing Physical Therapy Player of the Week honors for the first time.

The Eagles rushed for 303 yards and, with Ummarino playing a key role at defensive tackle, became just the second team to hold All-State tailback Cameron Small under 100 yards this season.

Leo Brown accounted for 275 of those yards and now leads the league in rushing.

“He’s been fantastic for us,” Exeter offensive line coach Chris Badinger said of Ummarino. “He’s a luxury to have up front. ”

Ummarino’s not just a key to the Eagles’ high-powered offense but a stalwart on defense, where he’s a run-stuffer for a unit that ranks No. 2 in the 37-team Lancaster-Lebanon League against the rush and that has allowed fewer points per game (7.1) than any team in District 3.

He leads Exeter in tackles for loss, sacks, hurries, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. He almost had an interception Friday, breaking up a screen pass in the second quarter.

As a junior Ummarino was an all-league pick at defensive end and a second-team all-league pick at center. He’s making a case this season as the best all-around lineman in Berks.

Ummarino moved into Exeter’s starting lineup at linebacker as a freshman. He got bigger for his sophomore year and moved to the defensive line. As a junior he was a two-way starter, earning a spot at center.

“They didn’t have a center after Matt (McConnell) graduated,” Ummarino said. “They asked me if I could do it. I said, ‘Sure why not, I’ll try it. Anything to get on the field.’ Found out I was pretty good at it.”

His first year on the job he earned a 96 percent blocking grade, the highest on the team, and was credited with more than 50 pancakes blocks.

It’s because of Ummarino’s mental game, along with his physicality, that Bauer likes him at center.

“That’s essential for success,” he said of having a smart player at that position. “When a play comes in, he will survey the front, look at what the optimal place to run ball is, and make that check.”

“He’s probably the highest IQ player I have ever coached,” said Badinger. “He knows what all five linemen, plus the tight ends, are doing on every play.”

Players considered for Player of the Week honors are nominated by their coaches or by members of the MikeDragoSports.com coverage team.

This is the fifth consecutive season that Wyomissing Physical Therapy has sponsored a Player of the Week award.

Also considered for Wyomissing Physical Therapy Player of the Week: