Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week: Exeter’s Jayden Zandier
Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week
Jayden Zandier was an easy choice for Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week. The Exeter junior rushed for a career-high 262 yards and scored four touchdowns in a 49-27 win over Hempfield.
He could also have been considered for Defensive Player of the Week after intercepting a pass at the goal-line to prevent a touchdown and shutting down Hempfield’s Micah Gates in the second half after a defensive switch.
He would’ve been in contention for Special Teams Player of the Week, too, after returning a kickoff 79 yards for a score.
“Jayden was neat to watch tonight,” said Exeter coach Matt Bauer.
Zandier began the season as a wide receiver but started to get some looks out of the backfield in Week 3 against West York. He had a breakout game the following week in the league opener against Gov. Mifflin, rushing for 126 yards on 11 carries and scoring three touchdowns.
He has rushed for over 100 yards five straight games.
His 262 yards Friday are the most ever by an Exeter back in a regular season game.
The program record of 332 yards was set by Eric Nangle in a 2021 district playoff against Cedar Crest.
Zandier scored on runs of 33, 23 and 77 yards. He has scored TDs in seven straight games.
He credited the big guys in front of him for giving him running room.
“I love my line,” he said. “They show up to practice and work so hard every day, and it pays off in the games when they open up big holes for our backs.”
Zandier’s most impactful play against Hempfield may have come on defense. With the Eagles clinging to a 35-27 lead late in the third quarter Zandier outleaped Gates on a deep fade and came down with the ball at the 1.
Gates tormented the Eagles’ defense in the first half, with six receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. At halftime Bauer switched Zandier onto the wide receiver; he was limited to two catches for 1 yard in the second half.
Zandier leads Exeter in rushing with 757 yards and in touchdowns with 11. He’s second among Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2 backs in rushing, trailing only Manheim Central’s Bryce Armold (1,266 yards).
Zandier is averaging 11.8 yards per carry. Over the past five games he has rushed for 689 yards.
This is Zandier’s second selection this season as Offensive Player of the Week. He was also selected in Week 4 following his performance against Gov. Mifflin. His is the first player this season to be selected twice.
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:
- Michael Bradley, Berks Catholic
- Sevon Parham, Conrad Weiser
- Dean Rotter, Daniel Boone
- Mason Musitano, Fleetwood
- Grady Garner, Gov. Mifflin
- Brendan Ackley, Kutztown
- Kowen Gerner, Schuylkill Valley
- Tommy Hunsicker, Wilson
Selected earlier this season:
- Week 1: Tyler Shuey, Hamburg
- Week 2: Tommy Hunsicker, Wilson
- Week 3: Dominic Giuffre, Schuylkill Valley
- Week 4: Jayden Zandier, Exeter
- Week 5: Drew Forrey, Wyomissing
- Week 6: Evan Johnson, Twin Valley
Players selected last season:
- Week 1: Gio Cavanna, Muhlenberg
- Week 2: Cam Jones, Wilson
- Week 3: Pierce Mason, Hamburg
- Week 4: Gio Cavanna, Muhlenberg
- Week 5: Josiah Jordan, Berks Catholic
- Week 6: Ruben Rodriguez, Reading High
- Week 7: Cam Jones, Wilson
- Week 8: Dominic Giuffre, Schuylkill Valley
- Week 9: Leland Moore, Hamburg
- Week 10: Cam Jones, Wilson
- Week 11: Pierce Mason, Hamburg
- Week 12: Evan Johnson, Twin Valley
