Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week: Muhlenberg’s Gio Cavanna
Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week
Gio Cavanna is a throwback type football player.
A few weeks ago, after a big performance in a season-opening win over Octorara, Muhlenberg coach John Lorchak threw out a Gale Sayers reference to describe his play. Friday, following a five-touchdown performance in a win over Lebanon, Lorhak compared him to Gordie Lockbaum, the two-way standout at Holy Cross during the mid-1980’s.
“There’s nothing he can’t do,” Lorchak said of Cavanna. “Gio continues to find a way into the end zone and to utilize his abilities to move this team forward.”
The senior running back scored on runs of 65, 7, 56 and 23 yards and also took a kickoff back 90 yards for a score. He rushed 16 times for a career-best 240 yards to earn Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this season.
Muhlenberg didn’t have an Offensive Player of the Week selection during the 2021 season.
Cavanna has been the centerpiece of the Muhls’ success this season; in addition to his big night on offense and special teams he also had an interception.
Muhlenberg is 2-2 after its 47-25 win over Lebanon, matching its win total from the last four seasons.
“The biggest thing about Gio is, he is so selfless,” Lorchak said. “He would play any position that we would ask him so that he is able to help his teammates and get a victory. It’s all he’s concerned about.”
“It’s a good confidence-booster for us and a good momentum shift, especially for our program,” Cavanna said after the win. “Recently, we haven’t been winning a lot of games so coming into this game, we wanted to come out strong. And obviously we did. It was great. I just come out and work my hardest to get wins.”
The 5-11, 180-pound Cavanna had 288 yards from scrimmage in a 25-13 win over Octorara to earn his first Player of the Week award.
Lorchak said a strong offseason in the weight room has given Cavanna extra power and burst.
“Gio’s an athlete who has the power to go along with the speed and athleticism,” he said. “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.”
Jason Reinhart is the only Muhlenberg player to score six touchdowns in game; he did that in 1998 against Schuylkill Valley. Reinhart also scored five TDs in three other games that season: against Hamburg, Holy Name and Twin Valley.
Three other Muhlenberg players have scored five TDs in a game: Ben Ortiz did it twice in the 2013 season, Brad Swartz in 2003 and Eric Veal in 2000.
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 Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week:
- Nafis Blythe, RB, Berks Catholic
- Donovan Gingrich, QB, Conrad Weiser
- Max Heffner, WR, Daniel Boone
- Joey Schlaffer, WR/TE, Exeter
- Mason Musitano, WR, Fleetwood
- Pierce Mason, RB, Hamburg
- Ruben Rodriguez, WR, Reading High
- Dominic Giuffre, RB, Schuylkill Valley
- Evan Johnson, RB, Twin Valley
- Cam Jones, KR/RB, Wilson
- Drew Eisenhower, RB, Wyomissing
Players selected earlier this season:
- Week 1: Gio Cavanna, RB, Muhlenberg
- Week 2: Cam Jones, RB, Wilson
- Week 3: Pierce Mason, RB, Hamburg
Players selected last season:
- 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
