Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week: Raiders’ Drew Engle
Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week
Even through the fog that began to roll into Twin Valley Stadium obscured his vision a little sophomore tailback Drew Engle could see the end zone and “a little bit of daylight.”
Engle burst through an opening in the line and went 33 yards for a touchdown with 1:22 left in Twin Valley’s 35-34 comeback over Garden Spot in a key Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3 game.
It was his second TD of the game and topped off his career-high 230-yard performance, good enough to earn Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week honors for the first time.
“Holes will open up running behind a great offensive line,” said Engle. “I knew I was going to get the first down but on my way to the end zone I was a little bit surprised. I’ve been getting hawked down from the back recently, but I was happy it didn’t happen there.”
Engle finished the night with a career-high 23 carries and with a team-leading 1,078 yards, tops among Section 3 backs and fourth overall in the league.
He is the fourth player in program history to reach 1,000 yards, joining David Sabulsky (1,224), Nick Wilkinson (1,100) and Dominic Caruso (1,022). He is just the second sophomore, following Caruso, who did it in 2019.
Engle is part of the league’s most devastating backfield combo. He shares the tailback spot with Evan Johnson, alternating between series. Johnson has rushed for 965 yards and averages 10.6 yards per carry. Engle averages 11.2 yards per carry. They have combined for 20 rushing TDs and over 2,000 yards.
“Those two have really good feet and really good vision,” Twin Valley coach Brett Myers said. “You’ll notice now they’re doing a really good job of running between the tackles. A year ago they were speed guys. Now they trust the scheme and linemen.”
A year ago Engle got just 29 carries but showed his promise, averaging 7.4 yards per carry and scoring four TDs. His bigger contributions as a freshman came at safety and on special teams. He was an all-league second-team back as both a defensive back and kick returner.
Engle is also a standout in lacrosse. He was an all-division pick as a freshman when he scored 41 goals and was 10th in the Berks League in scoring. He led the Raiders to a 13-6 record and the District 3 Class 2A quarterfinals.
Engle opened the season with 192 rushing yards against Schuylkill Valley and has topped 100 yards in five of the Raiders’ seven games, despite having more than 18 carries just once. Only Fleetwood’s Czion Brickle has more 100-yard games.
“This was a huge win,” Engle said after the Raiders claimed sole possession of first place in Section 3. “Definitely our biggest game of the season so far. This gives us a ton of momentum and we’re excited for Ephrata.”
Johnson was Offensive Player of the Week last week following a comeback win over Solanco.
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:
- Sevon Parham, Conrad Weiser
- Czion Brickle, Fleetwood
- Blaise Ernst, Hamburg
- Alvarado, Reading High
- Kowen Gerner, Schuylkill Valley
- Madyx Gruber, 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
