Panthers’ Luke Spotts is Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week
Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week
At 6-2, 200 pounds, Schuylkill Valley junior Luke Spotts is strong enough to play inside linebacker and fast enough to play on the outside.
It gives defensive coordinator Jeremy Crills options and makes the Panthers defense that much better.
With their offense limited to one score Friday against Northern Lebanon Spotts and the Panthers defense had to be at their best, and they were.
They limited the Vikings to 167 total yards and one score and partially blocked a potential game-winning field goal in the final minute to preserve a 7-6 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5 victory.
Spotts recorded nine tackles, four for loss, with a sack and a quarterback hurry and has been named Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week for the first time.
“On the defensive side of the ball he just hustles,” said Panthers coach Bruce Harbach. “He’s always around the ball. That’s the mark of a good football player.
“He ran down a long run (Friday), probably 20 yards past the line of scrimmage, and made a tackle; that was a big play for us.”
Spotts’ defensive role changes depending on the opponent and the Panthers’ game plan. If they’re in an even front he’s the middle linebacker; if they’re in an odd front he’s on the outside, opposite Kowen Gerner.
“I like him on the outside because he moves really well,” Harbach said. “He’s very athletic. He and Kowen complement each other real well.”
Spotts’ best side of the ball is offense. He was an all-league, first-team pick at tight end as a sophomore when he caught a team-high 27 passes, averaging 15.9 yards per catch. He’s second on the team this season with 15 catches and two TDs.
Harbach believes Spotts has the potential to play tight end at the next level.
“I’ve had an opportunity to coach some great tight ends at (Lancaster) Catholic, at Indian River (Va.) and at Wilson,” Harbach said. “I’ll tell you, he’s right up there with them. He’s improved on his blocking, he runs great routes and has good hands.”
Spotts set up the Panthers’ lone TD against the Vikings, first with a 33-yard reception, then with a key block that sprung Cooper Hohenadel for a 39-yard scoring run.
“He’s a kid who comes to practice every day with a good attitude, good work ethic, and makes everyone else around him better,” Harbach said. “His motor doesn’t stop running.”
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:
- Luke Impellizzeri, Berks Catholic
- Sevon Parham, Conrad Weiser
- Haydn Moyer, Daniel Boone
- Logan Wegman, Exeter
- Mason Musitano, Fleetwood
- Reece Hohl, Gov. Mifflin
- Lucas Myers, Twin Valley
- Cam Zullinger, Wilson
- Drew Forrey, Wyomissing
Selected earlier this season:
- Week 1: Lucas Myers, Twin Valley
- Week 2: Michael Odeyemi, Reading High
- Week 3: Stewie Janowski, Gov. Mifflin
- Week 4: Ryker Jones, Wyomissing
- Week 5: Ethan Lafferty, Kutztown
Selected last season as Defensive Player of the Week:
- Week 1: Jonathan Martin, Exeter
- Week 2: Nate Capitano, Wilson
- Week 3: Ethan Kryman, Daniel Boone
- Week 4: Nate Pashley, Exeter
- Week 5: Nafis Blythe, Berks Catholic
- Week 6: Nick Weitzel, Wilson
- Week 7: Ryker Jones, Wyomissing
- Week 8: Drew Eisenhower, Wyomissing
- Week 9: Mason Marks, Twin Valley
- Week 10: Lucas Palange, Exeter
- Week 11: Mason Semmel, Hamburg
- Week 12: Ryker Jones, Wyomissing
