Starting Lineup: Exeter’s electric Jayden Zandier ‘can take the ball to the house every play’
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. One player will be introduced each day, in random order (the players are not ranked).
This is the 11th installment in the 13-part series.
Jayden Zandier, Exeter
| 6-2 | 175 | Senior | RB/CB/KR |
BACKSTORY: Jayden Zandier admits there were times last season when he shied away from contact.
“I didn’t want to get hit,” he said.
He would bounce plays outside, find open space, then take off. The strategy worked to the tune of 1,352 yards — fourth-most in program history — and 19 touchdowns; it landed him on the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 5A All-State team.
He’s a year older now, close to 20 pounds heavier, and enters his senior season with a different mentality. Sure he’ll sprint to the outside when it’s there but he’s also ready to put his nose down and grind between the tackles.
“I’m still trying to score every time I touch the ball,” he said, “but if I need to get a couple yards for a first down I’m gonna take those yards. I’m working on finding a hole and just taking the hard yard instead of trying to make everything a touchdown.”
The 6-2 Zandier began last season as a wide receiver and a complementary piece in Exeter’s offense. Early in September he was moved to tailback and instantly became one of the most dominant players in the league.
In his first start in the backfield he scored three touchdowns and rushed for 126 yards, against Gov. Mifflin.
“Jayden’s so electric we had to figure out a different way to get him the ball,” Eagles coach Matt Bauer said. “He has the ability to take it to the house on every play.”
Zandier had a game for the ages in Week 8 against Hempfield. He rushed for 262 yards – most ever in a regular season game by an Exeter player –and scored four touchdowns, on runs of 33, 23 and 77 yards and on a 79-yard kickoff return. He also picked off a pass at the goal line to preserve a small lead in what became a 49-27 victory.
Zandier ended the season with 222 rushing yards against Hershey in the District 3 playoffs.
He’s a true triple threat – he had six pass breakups last year from his spot at cornerback and averaged 33 yards on kickoff returns — who figures to be even more of a threat this season.
“Anyone who lines up against us,” Bauer said, “the first thing they’re going to do is figure out how to take No. 2 away from us.”
Zandier realizes he’ll be a marked man after being named Berks Offensive Back of the Year and putting up those huge numbers; he’s fine with that.
“It’s definitely going to open up a lot for my teammates,” he said of the added attention he may get from opposing defenses. “I’m gonna focus on being the play-maker who sets up my teammates. As long as at the end of the game the scoreboard says Exeter’s winning I’ll be happy.”
Zandier averaged 10.7 yards per carry last season, tops in Section 2 and third-best in the 37-team league Lancaster-Lebanon League. His 19 TDs were second-most in Berks. He averaged 23.1 yards on seven catches, with three TDs.
He tuned up for this season by again dominating the Berks County Football Combine in May; he won the 40-yard dash, Vertical Leap and 3-Hop Drill and was second in the L-Cone Drill.
He had a big track season, too, qualifying for districts in the long jump and as part of Exeter’s 4×100 relay. He ran a personal best 11.36 in the 100 (and has clocked 4.48 in the 40).
“He’s gotten a little bigger and little bit faster (since last year),” Bauer said. “We’re excited to see what he’s gonna do. He’s definitely grown up a lot in a year.”
ROLE: Tailback, cornerback, kick returner.
COLLEGE PROSPECTS: Offered by Stony Brook; more Division I offers are expected.
COACH’S TAKE: “A one-cut-and-go guy; great feet and vision. Gamebreaker in run game and pass game. Probably the most explosive guy in the county.”
Starting Lineup
| Xavier Beatty | Reading High | WR/S/CB/KR | Sr. |
| Aris Drake | Twin Valley | T/DT | Sr. |
| Keyshawn Efese | Reading High | T/DE/DT | Sr. |
| Chase Eisenhower | Wyomissing | FB/LB | Jr. |
| Justic Hardy | Wyomissing | HB/WR/CB/KR | Soph. |
| Reese Hohl | Gov. Mifflin | RB/WR/CB/KR | Sr. |
| Evan Johnson | Twin Valley | RB/DB/KR | Sr. |
| Evan Myers | Twin Valley | QB/DB | Sr. |
| Luke Spotts | Schuylkill Valley | TE/LB | Sr. |
| Logan Wegman | Exeter | T/DT | Sr. |
| Jayden Zandier | Exeter | RB/CB/KR | Sr. |
