Muhlenberg’s Gio Cavanna is Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week

By Mike Drago Last updated Aug 30, 2022

Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week

Octorara scored a first-quarter touchdown to take the lead over Muhlenberg Friday night.

The Muhls needed a fast response.

Gio Cavanna provided it.

The swift senior took the ball 75 yards on a sweep for a touchdown, providing the Muhls with a spark that helped carry them to a 25-13 season-opening victory at Atglen.

“We needed an answer (to their score),” said Muhls coach John Lorchak. “(Gio gave us) a boost of energy and enthusiasm. It was good to let them know that we were going to be able to answer anything they do did.”

Cavanna continued to energize the Muhls, adding two more touchdowns and a career-best 220 rushing yards as Muhlenberg won a season-opener for the first time since 2017.

He is the season’s first Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week. Muhlenberg didn’t have an Offensive Player of the Week selection during the 2021 season.

Cavanna had 288 total yards from scrimmage against Octorara, adding another 75-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and then a 65-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter that put the Muhls up 25-7.

The 5-11, 180-pound Cavanna got some help on his first TD run, with guard Charles Joof pulling to lead the way around the corner and tight end Wesley Cleminson adding a seal block.

“He was able to get around the corner, then he he broke two tackles,” Lorchak said. “He did some phenomenal things on his own.

“It’s like (what they used to say about Chicago Bears Hall of Fame tailback) Gayle Sayers: He just needed 18 inches of daylight.

“Gio’s an athlete who has the power to go along with the speed and athleticism. He’s not just fast, he’s a strong runner, too. He’s put on about 10 pounds since last season. He’s physically bigger and more mature.”

But still fast enough and agile enough to make plays in space, as he did last season when he caught a team-leading 21 passes as a wide receiver.

His final score came on a drag route in the flat. He was able to turn back and catch a ball thrown slightly behind him, then turned it upfield.

“It was a tremendous catch,” Lorchak said. “He took a shot from the linebacker, bounced off that, and from there he was able to out-run their safety and get down the sideline.”

Cavanna is now playing a slotback position in the Muhls’ Wing-T. No matter where he’s lined up he will be the centerpiece to the Muhls’ offense.

“We want to give Gio the ball as many ways as we can,” Lorchak said.

Cavanna was a key member of Muhlenberg’s Berks League championship baseball team in the spring. He was the starting right fielder and one of the team’s best baserunners.

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

Also considered for the Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week:

Will Hess, QB, Berks Catholic
Trey Dianna, WR, Conrad Weiser
Mason Rotelli, QB, Exeter
Jack Riffle, QB, Fleetwood
Pierce Mason, RB, Hamburg
Brenden Ackley, RB, Kutztown
Branden Reis, FB, Gov. Mifflin
Amier Burdine, QB, Reading High
Michael Goad, QB, Schuylkill Valley
Jaydon Goebel, RB, Twin Valley
Cam Jones, WR/KR, Wilson
Matt Kramer, FB, Wyomissing

Here are the players selected last season for the Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week:

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