Starting Lineup: Raiders’ versatile Aris Drake could show up just about anywhere
To recognize the top players in Berks football MikeDragoSports.com has selected the “Starting Lineup,” a preseason All-Berks team that includes the top linemen, backs, receivers, linebackers, and specialists.
Players were selected based on past performance, expected performance this season and college potential. Two-way players were given special consideration.
A college coach’s evaluation is included in each story.
One player will be introduced each day, in random order (the players are not ranked). This is the seventh installment of the series.
Aris Drake, Twin Valley
| 6-5 | 290 | Senior | T/DT |
BACKSTORY: Aris Drake is the Bugs Bunny of the Twin Valley Raiders offensive line.
No, he doesn’t have Bugs’ hare-like speed but he does have his athletic versatility. Fans of the classic Looney Tunes cartoon may recall Bugs being the multi-positional star of the baseball team. He was in the starting lineup at catcher . . . pitcher . . . left field . . . right field . . . third base. Well, everywhere actually.
The 6-5 Drake is sort of like that, only on a much, much larger scale. He could start at tackle for the Raiders. Or guard. Or center. Or tight end.
“He plays every position (on the line),” says Twin Valley coach Brett Myers. “He’s that athletic of a kid that it’s not a big deal for us to have him pull and lead on sweeps or anything else that we do.
“He’s a nice player to have; he’s smart enough and athletic enough to handle all the spots. You don’t get many (like that), guys who athletically can do it all.”
College coaches noticed. A dozen or so offered scholarships to the 290-pound lineman. In late June he decided he was looking for a career, not just a chance to play football at the next level, and committed to the U.S. Naval Academy.
That’s something Drake didn’t see happening a few years ago when he broke into the Raiders’ starting lineup a couple weeks into his freshman season. The then 14-year-old was hoping to someday play college ball, but not necessarily at a military academy.
“It didn’t seem interesting at first,” Drake said. “It’s something I had to look at. Once I got to the Naval Academy and got around (offensive line) Coach (Jay) Guillermo I got really excited for it.”
He has this special opportunity because of his physical prowess, the hard work he’s put in off the field, and his diligence in the classroom.
“Aris always took his academics seriously,” Myers said. “I can’t remember him missing a practice or a weight lifting session. I don’t remember him being out of school. He’s always doing what he’s supposed to do.”
For the intermediate future Drake will be dropping anchor at Twin Valley, the most important cog on an offensive line set to spring Evan Johnson and Drew Engle loose on Section 4 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League.
Each of them rushed for over 1,000 yards last year as the Raiders shared the Section 3 title with Ephrata and Garden Spot. Drake was a big reason why. Myers called him the Raiders’ most consistent offensive linemen and a key part of the equation that saw them rank No. 1 overall in the league in total offense and rush for a league-high 324 yards per game. Drake earned second-team all-league honors for his dutiful work in the trenches.
He’s easily the most experienced lineman in Section 4, and one of the biggest. A couple weeks into his freshman season there was an injury and they plugged him in at left tackle. He’s been there ever since.
“It was awesome to be that young and be on the field, but it was intense at times,” he said. “I was one of the youngest (players) on the field.”
Drake is more than just a behemoth; he’s an all-around athlete. He played lacrosse in junior high and continues to play basketball. He started as a junior and will be one of the more imposing centers in the Berks Conference next season.
Even though he realized at an early age that football was his meal ticket he never wanted to give up his time on the court. He enjoys it too much.
“Basketball helps with my foot speed, and helps me with football, so I always stuck with it,” he said.
With H-back Ean Winchester now off to George Mason, where he’s wrestling, the Raiders have an opening in their goal-line package. Winchester filled the “Jumbo” fullback role last season and plunged into the end zone 11 times. Maybe the versatile Drake – who played quarterback in junior high — can add that spot to his resume?
No thanks, he said of the suggestion.
“I’m gonna (keep) paving the way,” he said. “That’s what I enjoy most.”
ROLE: Offensive tackle, defensive tackle.
COLLEGE PROSPECTS: Committed to play at U.S. Naval Academy. Received offers from Lehigh, Richmond, Cornell, Maine, Massachusetts, Dartmouth, Colgate and the U.S. Military Academy, among others.
COACH’S TAKE: “Can come off the ball and get movement at the point of attack. Covers linebackers up pretty quickly at the second level. Good feet when he pulls. He will fit well in the Navy system.”
| Xavier Beatty | Reading High | WR/S/CB/KR | Sr. |
| Aris Drake | Twin Valley | T/DT | Sr. |
| Chase Eisenhower | Wyomissing | FB/LB | Jr. |
| Reese Hohl | Gov. Mifflin | RB/WR/CB/KR | Sr. |
| Evan Myers | Twin Valley | QB/DB | Sr. |
| Luke Spotts | Schuylkill Valley | TE/LB | Sr. |
| Logan Wegman | Exeter | T/DT | Sr. |
