Wyo’s Andrew Bresnahan is Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week

By Mike Drago Last updated Oct 21, 2024

Andrew Bresnahan put an exclamation point on Wyomissing’s 34-24 win at Twin Valley Friday, sacking the quarterback and forcing a fumble that ended what became the Raiders final threat with 2 ½ minutes remaining.

Before that the 6-2, 200-pound sophomore did a lot of the dirty work that wasn’t quite as easy to see. He was a key factor in keeping Twin Valley career touchdowns leader Evan Johnson out of the end zone and in springing blocks for Justice Hardy to have a career night.

The outside linebacker recorded six tackles, one for loss, had a pair of quarterback hurries and finally the forced fumble to earn Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week for the first time.

Johnson was held to a season-low 43 yards on 21 carries and didn’t have a run longer than 9 yards. The Raiders were held to a season-low point total.

“Andrew did a great job holding down the edge of the line of scrimmage,” said Wyomissing linebackers coach Dave Outland. “He made tackles at and behind the line of scrimmage and most importantly continuously forced their run game (to the) inside.”

Wyomissing is ranked No. 3 in the Lancaster-Lebanon League in rushing defense, allowing 88 yards per game. It is ranked No. 5 in total defense and No. 7 in scoring defense.

Spartans’ Andrew Bresnahan pressures Twin Valley’s Evan Myers. (benschafferphotography)

Bresnahan is one of the most versatile players on the Wyomissing defense. He could play several positions effectively. He’s used as an outside ‘backer because of his ability to play in space and to battle linemen in the run game.

“He’s strong enough and physical enough to (play on) the (defensive) line,” said Spartans coach Bob Wolfrum, “but he’s athletic enough to be an outside guy.”

Bresnahan has only one reception but is critical to the Spartans’ run game. He’s an outstanding blocker who is key to many of the plays in the Wing-T, including the sweep, a play Hardy exploited on his way to a career-high 196 rushing yards.

Bresnahan was credited with four pancake blocks against Twin Valley.

Wolfrum compares Bresnahan favorably to Aiden Mack, one of best blocking tight ends Wyomissing has ever had. (Mack now plays at the University of Richmond.)

“We need to have at least one really good tight end to run our offense effectively,” Wolfrum said.

Bresnahan is the second Wyomissing player to earn Defensive Player of the Week honors this season. Tyler Niedrowski was selected last week.

Players considered for Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week honors are nominated by their coaches or by members of the MikeDragoSports.com coverage team.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Body Zone Physical Therapy is sponsoring the Defensive Player of the Week. At the end of the season a Defensive Player of the Year will be named.

Andrew Bresnahan makes tackle against Northern Lebanon’s Bryan Mitzel. (Tim Macrina photo)

Also considered this week:

Faith Zudie, Berks Catholic
Dylan Parr, Conrad Weiser
Maddox Roy, Daniel Boone
Carter Redding, Exeter
Landen Hare, Fleetwood
Reese Hohl, Gov. Mifflin
Luke Spotts, Schuylkill Valley
EJ Brownback, Wilson

Selected earlier this season:

Week 1: Fred Lacey, Muhlenberg
Week 2: EJ Brownback, Wilson
Week 3: Landen Hare, Fleetwood
Week 4: Logan Cammauf, Schuylkill Valley
Week 5: Justice Hardy, Wyomissing
Week 6: Kowen Gerner, Schuylkill Valley
Week 7: Tyler Niedrowski, Wyomissing

Selected in 2023 as Defensive Player of the Week:

Week 1: Lucas Myers, Twin Valley
Week 2: Michael Odeyemi, Reading High
Week 3: Stewie Janowski, Gov. Mifflin
Week 4: Ryker Jones, Wyomissing
Week 5: Ethan Lafferty, Kutztown
Week 6: Luke Spotts, Schuylkill Valley
Week 7: Colby Crills, Schuylkill Valley
Week 8: Luke Impellizzeri, Berks Catholic
Week 9: Logan Cammauf, Schuylkill Valley
Week 10: Justice Hardy, Wyomissing
Week 11: Dominic Giuffre, Schuylkill Valley
Week 12: Collin Niedrowski, Wyomissing

Selected in 2022 as Defensive Player of the Week:

Week 1: Jonathan Martin, Exeter
Week 2: Nate Capitano, Wilson
Week 3: Ethan Kryman, Daniel Boone
Week 4: Nate Pashley, Exeter
Week 5: Nafis Blythe, Berks Catholic
Week 6: Nick Weitzel, Wilson
Week 7: Ryker Jones, Wyomissing
Week 8: Drew Eisenhower, Wyomissing
Week 9: Mason Marks, Twin Valley
Week 10: Lucas Palange, Exeter
Week 11: Mason Semmel, Hamburg
Week 12: Ryker Jones, Wyomissing

Selected in 2021 as Defensive Player of the Week:

Week 1: Brett Organtini, Conrad Weiser
Week 2: Eden Johnson, Gov. Mifflin
Week 3: Josiah Jordan, Berks Catholic
Week 4: Matt Kramer, Wyomissing
Week 5: Ryan Souder, Daniel Boone
Week 6: Nevin Carter, Wyomissing
Week 7: Nate Goodman, Gov. Mifflin
Week 8: Sam Orzolek, Exeter
Week 9: Cam Jones, Wilson
Week 10: Aaron Shuker, Muhlenberg
Week 11: Mitchell Watt, Hamburg
Week 12: Tyler Givens, Berks Catholic
Week 13: Jack Miller, Wyomissing
Week 14: Ty Yocum, Exeter