Knights’ Kayson Fritz is Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week
Kayson Fritz got plenty of on-the-job training as a junior. He started at quarterback for Reading High without ever having played in an organized football game before.
Like the rest of the Red Knights he endured more lows than highs during a 1-9 season but now seems to be the better for it.
The 6-1, 200-pound senior is off to a fast start; he both ran and passed for over 100 yards Friday in a 34-20 win over rival Muhlenberg to earn the Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week award for the first time.
“Kayson continues to get better,” said Red Knights coach Troy Godinet. “He’s a kid that has the talent, he has all the potential, and he’s putting effort into it. He’s doing a good job of day-by-day taking the steps needed to be who we want him to be.
“We found his strengths, and he’s turned his weaknesses into strengths. That’s a testament to his work ethic. We’re proud of him.”
Fritz ran 16 times for 116 yards and completed 10-of-11 passes for 128 yards against the Muhls. His 7-yard TD run in the second quarter put the Knights on top 14-7; his 24-yard TD pass to Jared Santos in the final minute of the first half put Reading on top for good.
It was Fritz’s second start and second win against the Muhls; last year he ran for a pair of scores in a 25-7 win in the “Battle of the Border” game.
“He’s a competitive kid and he wants to win,” Godinet said. “This game always means a lot to him.”
Fritz has become much more of a running threat than last season, when he gained just 84 rushing yards and scored two TDs. He’s had back-to-back 100-yard games on the ground; his 242 yards are third-most in Berks and he’s averaging 6.7 yards per carry.
“He’s a strong kid, and he’s athletic enough to take the ball and do the things we want to do with him,” Godinet said. “He has that balance in the running game (and) the pass game; that’s a good thing for us that he has that ability to do that.”
Fritz has completed 14-of-23 passes for 196 yards; he’s ranked No. 3 among passers in Section 1 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League.
“Last week (in a 41-16 loss to Phoenixville) pass plays broke down,” Godinet said. “This (week) was (more of) him staying in the pocket, the offensive line giving him the time that he needs, and he made some throws that we know he can make.
“He found a way to be successful in what we called. That’s a credit to Coach (Sean) Gaul (the Offensive Coordinator) for seeing things and attacking them and finding the diversity in the run game.”
Fritz is the first Reading High player selected for the award since Ruben Rodriguez in 2022.
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 fourth consecutive season that Wyomissing Physical Therapy has sponsored the Offensive Player of the Week award. At the end of the season an Offensive Player of the Year will be selected.
Also nominated for Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week:
- Zach Suski, Berks Catholic
- Haydn Moyer, Daniel Boone
- Jayden Zandier, Exeter
- Tristin McFarland, Fleetwood
- Grady Garner, Gov. Mifflin
- Hunter Shuey, Hamburg
- Evan Myers, Twin Valley
- Madyx Gruber, Wilson
Selected Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week in 2023:
- Week 1: Tyler Shuey, Hamburg
- Week 2: Tommy Hunsicker, Wilson
- Week 3: Dominic Giuffre, Schuylkill Valley
- Week 4: Jayden Zandier, Exeter
- Week 5: Drew Forrey, Wyomissing
- Week 6: Evan Johnson, Twin Valley
- Week 7: Drew Engle, Twin Valley
- Week 8: Jayden Zandier, Exeter
- Week 9: Czion Brickle, Fleetwood
- Week 10: Evan Myers, Twin Valley
- Week 11: Jack Riffle, Fleetwood
- Week 12: Drew Engle, Twin Valley
Players selected in 2022:
- Week 1: Gio Cavanna, Muhlenberg
- Week 2: Cam Jones, Wilson
- Week 3: Pierce Mason, Hamburg
- Week 4: Gio Cavanna, Muhlenberg
- Week 5: Josiah Jordan, Berks Catholic
- Week 6: Ruben Rodriguez, Reading High
- Week 7: Cam Jones, Wilson
- Week 8: Dominic Giuffre, Schuylkill Valley
- Week 9: Leland Moore, Hamburg
- Week 10: Cam Jones, Wilson
- Week 11: Pierce Mason, Hamburg
- Week 12: Evan Johnson, Twin Valley
Players selected in 2021:
- Week 1: Nick Singleton, RB, Gov. Mifflin
- Week 2: DeShawn Wilson, WR, Reading High
- Week 3: Nick Singleton, RB, Gov. Mifflin
- Week 4: Logan Klitsch, QB, Conrad Weiser
- Week 5: Nick Singleton, RB, Gov. Mifflin
- Week 6: Diohnny Ruiz, RB, Hamburg
- Week 7: Nick Singleton, RB, Gov. Mifflin
- Week 8: Cameron Jones, KR, Wilson
- Week 9: Trey Freeman, WR, Twin Valley
- Week 10: Jadyn Jones, RB, Wilson
- Week 11: Logan Klitsch, QB, Conrad Weiser
- Week 12: Nick Singleton, RB, Gov. Mifflin
- Week 13: Eric Nangle, RB, Exeter
- Week 14: Colin Payne, Exeter
