running back – Berks Sports Report https://berkssportsreport.com Paul Roberts Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:44:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 Singleton drafted by the Titans https://berkssportsreport.com/singleton-drafted-by-the-titans/ Mon, 27 Apr 2026 02:55:38 +0000 https://berkssportsreport.com/?p=5544 Another high school football star from Berks County is headed to the NFL. Gov. Mifflin graduate Nick Singleton was selected in the fifth round by the Titans. “It felt amazing, especially with how hard I’ve worked. It felt great to be around my family. I’m super blessed,” he said. Tennessee used pick #165 overall on Singleton. The 6’, 219-pound running back was at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading when he got the call from the Titans on Saturday. Singleton was with his family and friends for a private NFL Draft watch party.

Singleton set all-time records in Berks County with 6,326 rushing yards and 116 touchdowns. As a senior, he ran for 2,059 yards and averaged a staggering 12.7 yards per carry while scoring 44 touchdowns. The Gov. Mifflin standout was named the Gatorade National Offensive Player of the Year and Mr. PA Football for Class 4A-6A. In addition, the Maxwell Football Club presented him with its National High School Offensive Player of the Year award. Singleton helped the Mustangs win their first District 3 championship in 2020. “I’ll remember most the brotherhood, playing with my friends. They made me a better person,” he replied.

Singleton burst on the scene in State College in 2022. He rumbled for 1,061 yards and averaged 6.8 ypc. His twelve rushing touchdowns established a new record by a freshman at Penn State. Singleton piled up nearly 1,100 yards on the ground as a junior and reached the end zone a dozen times. He added 41 receptions and five more scores through the air. Singleton joined Saquon Barkley, Evan Royster, Curtis Enis, Blair Thomas, and John Cappelletti as the only Nittany Lions with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

As a senior, Singleton was limited to 549 yards on 123 carries. He had 13 touchdowns last fall. Singleton ranks first all-time at Penn State in rushing touchdowns (45) and career touchdowns (55). His 5,586 all-purpose yards are also the most in program history. He finished fifth in career rushing yards at Penn State with 3,461.

Singleton suffered a broken foot during a practice prior to the Senior Bowl in late January. He did attend the NFL Combine, but was unable to participate in drills. He joins a Tennessee backfield that includes Tony Pollard. He led the Titans with 1,082 rushing yards last season. Pollard, who averaged 4.5 yards per carry, turns 29 on Thursday. “They’re a great organization, really good coaching staff. I’ve been following them for a long time. I just can’t wait to get there and get to work with them,” said Singleton.

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Leo Brown-Exeter https://berkssportsreport.com/leo-brown-exeter-2/ Sat, 01 Nov 2025 12:10:02 +0000 https://berkssportsreport.com/?p=5230 About a-half dozen media members were waiting to speak with Leo Brown after Friday’s game at Don Thomas Stadium. Exeter’s senior running back doesn’t like talking about himself. “He’s very unselfish. He puts all the praise on his linemen, and they’ll do anything for him. He’s one of the hardest working kids I’ve ever seen,” said Eagles’ head coach Matt Bauer. Brown ran for 274 yards and 2 TD on 23 carries in a 35-0 victory over Lower Dauphin in the first round of the District 3-5A playoffs. The 6’, 176-pound speedster broke the single-season school record with 2,180 rushing yards. “It’s amazing. I feel great, but I know that without those five guys in front of me, I don’t think it would be possible,” replied Brown. The humble star is averaging 9.2 yards per carry this year with 25 touchdowns. Jayden Zandier, a two-time All-State selection, established the previous record last fall with 2,086 rushing yards. Brown surpassed that mark in the first half against the tenth-seeded Falcons.

Brown’s performance wasn’t the only positive news for #7 seed Exeter. Riley Martinez, a three-year starter, was back at quarterback. The 6’4, 205-pound senior returned faster than expected from a shoulder injury that he suffered in Week 2 at Boyertown. Martinez was 8-of-13 for 73 yards and a touchdown on a windy night in Reiffton. He was picked off by junior Tyler Newman on the opening drive. However, that didn’t slow down the (9-2) Eagles. Brown raced down the right sideline for a 44-yard score with 5:33 left in the first quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, Elan Goeke fumbled without being hit. Braylon Reinert scooped up the loose ball and rumbled 27 yards for a touchdown. On third-and-14 late in the second quarter, Martinez found tight end Aidan Dauble for a first down at the 20-yard line. Martinez then hit Jayden Ware over the middle. The 6’2, 160-pound senior receiver broke a tackle and scooted down the left sideline for a 19-yard touchdown. Exeter was on top 21-0 at halftime.

Brown broke free up the middle for a 52-yard score with 8:37 left. Lower Dauphin trailed 28-0 and was in the uncomfortable position of having to throw the ball. During the regular season, the Falcons had just two touchdown passes and six interceptions. They were only averaging 69.2 passing yards per game. Lower Dauphin prefers to rely on Hunter Strohm between the tackles. The 6’2, 215-pound senior entered the night with 1,308 rushing yards and 23 TD on 200 carries. Strohm is a standout catcher who’s committed to Mississippi State for baseball. The Falcons’ offense was limited to 155 total yards by the Eagles. Lower Dauphin committed four turnovers including a 38-yard pick-6 by Reinert with 6:35 remaining. Defensive end Jackson Kozik, a transfer from Berks Catholic, hit Newman as he was attempting to throw. The pass went into Reinert’s chest and the 6’4, 225-pound junior linebacker ended up with his second touchdown of the evening. Donovyn Alvarez, a junior linebacker, came up with another interception on the next possession. Ware also had a pick for an Exeter defense that’s only allowing 9.8 points per game. Ware chipped in on offense with five receptions for 48 yards.

The Eagles finished with 344 total yards. As usual, Brown gave credit to the offensive line which consists of Kevin Oswalt, Matt Lis, Joel Ummarino, Andre Osborne, and Wyatt Richard from left to right. “Their size, their focus, their concentration, and the little details at practice really makes them who they are. They work so well together,” explained Brown. Oswalt, Richard, and Lis will return next season. Ummarino, the 273-pound center, and Osborne are seniors. Dauble is also a key blocker in the rushing attack at 6’4 and 215 pounds.

Exeter heads back to Conestoga Valley next Friday in the District 3-5A quarterfinals. The (10-0) Buckskins beat the Eagles 21-17 in Week 9. Conestoga Valley rallied from a 17-7 deficit with three minutes to go. “It was a real heartbreaker. We’re so determined to make that right,” stated Brown.

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Drew Engle-Twin Valley https://berkssportsreport.com/drew-engle-twin-valley-2/ Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:23:25 +0000 https://berkssportsreport.com/?p=5124 Special teams play is not an afterthought at Twin Valley. It’s a priority for the undefeated Raiders who are ranked #6 in the state in Class 4A. “We emphasize them a ton at practice. We’re always putting in different things. We work really hard on special teams,” said running back and safety Drew Engle. The third phase of the game was pivotal in a 49-7 rout of Octorara on Thursday night.

Twin Valley led 7-0 early in the second quarter when Dominic Summers blocked a punt which set up the Raiders at the 3-yard line. Engle’s 2-yard run made it 14-0 with eight and a-half minutes remaining in the first half. On the ensuing possession, Twin Valley brought heavy pressure again on fourth down and the Braves weren’t able to get off a punt. Ryan Rementer capped a 33-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run on a counter. The Raiders kept momentum in their favor as Keenan Munn recovered an onside kick at Octorara’s 41-yard line. After a penalty, Lucas Myers broke free up the middle for a 46-yard touchdown run and a 28-0 advantage. Munn recovered a fumble on the next series which gave Twin Valley the ball at the Braves’ 31-yard line. Engle took it from there with a dazzling touchdown run. He started up the middle, got bottled up, bounced it to the left, cut back across the entire field, and raced down the right sideline for a 31-yard score. The Army lacrosse commit put the Raiders in front 35-0 with 4:38 left before halftime. “I bounced it outside and saw a couple more guys out there so I went the other way. It just opened up. My O-line does a fantastic job blocking for me and it starts with them,” explained Engle. After using its timeouts, Twin Valley got the ball back with 1:30 to go in the first half. Ben Grundy took a quick pop pass from Maverik Foster and sprinted 62-yards down the left sideline. After a scoreless first quarter, the (5-0, 2-0) Raiders exploded for 42 points in just ten minutes. “I think we were fired up, a little bit mad we didn’t score,” replied Engle.

Myers ripped off a 62-yard touchdown run down the right sideline to extend the lead to 49-0 with 5:18 to play in the third quarter. “He’s one of the hardest workers on the team. It also keeps us fresh. He does give me a little bit of a break which is nice. I love working with him,” noted Engle. Myers finished with 132 yards on only seven carries. The 6’1, 215-pound junior reached the end zone three times. Engle added 82 yards and two scores on ten carries. The 5’11, 185-pound senior was named an All-American by USA Lacrosse earlier this year. Foster was 8-of-10 for 134 yards and a touchdown. Twin Valley piled up 413 total yards including 279 on the ground. The Raiders are averaging 56.6 points per game at the midway point of the regular season.

Octorara got on the scoreboard on the final play of the third quarter thanks to a 47-yard run by Brayden Mastripolitto. The 5’11, 175-pound junior entered the night with 631 rushing yards and 11 TD. The (3-2, 1-1) Braves were without starting quarterback Mason Prokay for the second straight game. Sophomore Gavin Davis was under center again due to Prokay’s injury. Prokay is a standout javelin thrower. The 6’3, 210-pound senior finished 11th at Nike Outdoor Nationals this summer. Twin Valley’s defense was spearheaded by Rementer. The 200-pound senior linebacker had a team-high seven tackles. The Raiders have outscored their opponents 283-46. “We’re just focused about getting better every day, never satisfied and just keep working hard,” said Engle.

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Leo Brown-Exeter https://berkssportsreport.com/leo-brown-exeter/ Sat, 13 Sep 2025 14:09:31 +0000 https://berkssportsreport.com/?p=5109 Leo Brown didn’t play football as a sophomore because he wanted to focus on track. Exeter head coach Matt Bauer stayed after Brown and he returned to the gridiron last season. The 6’, 176-pound speedster was the backup to All-State running back Jayden Zandier. Brown is the starter now and he’s making the most of the opportunity. “He’s still developing and it’s a pleasure to watch the progression. He’s a special young man,” said Bauer. Brown ran for 206 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries in a 43-15 victory over Gov. Mifflin at Don Thomas Stadium. “I really think tonight was his best game because he was patient and then he started hitting the afterburners,” explained Bauer. The (4-0) Eagles beat the (2-2) Mustangs for the fifth consecutive time. “Oh, my gosh! Out of all the people we play, our biggest rival is Mifflin. In any sport, it’s always them. It feels good to be able to put up that big of a score on them,” stated Brown.

Exeter went 51 yards on its opening drive and took a 7-0 lead on Brown’s 24-yard run up the middle. “We were able to get the momentum. Once we got that, we just kept rolling. It snowballs,” emphasized Brown. The Mustangs opted to go for it on fourth-and-1 from their own 39-yard line on the ensuing possession. Senior defensive lineman Andre Osborne tripped up fullback Nick Kalis for no gain. Jake Hafer then hit Aidan Dauble for a 36-yard gain. Hafer, who has stepped in again this year at quarterback for an injured Riley Martinez, ran two yards off the left side for a 14-0 advantage. On the final play of the first quarter, Hafer found a wide open Braylon Reinert. The 6’4, 225-pound tight end rumbled 54 yards to set up Brown’s 3-yard touchdown run. After a bad snap on the extra point, Jayden Ware threw the ball to Reinert for two points and a 22-0 edge with 11:18 remaining in the first half. The Mustangs got on the scoreboard six minutes later when quarterback Lebron Leaf bounced off tacklers down the left sideline for a 37-yard score. Leaf also made an interception late in the second quarter. Brown’s third touchdown came with 3:36 left before halftime. His 19-yard run capped a 74-yard drive and increased the Eagles’ lead to 29-7. Osborne, Joel Ummarino, Kevin Oswalt, Matt Lis, and Wyatt Richard opened big holes all night long. “I couldn’t ask for a better line. I love them, they make it happen. I’m just the one who puts the ball in the end zone. They’re the ones that create the way,” remarked Brown. His speed certainly helps. Brown ran the 200 meters in 22.3 seconds during the spring. He has already piled up 576 yards and nine touchdowns on 65 carries this year.

Ware started the second half with a bang. The 6’2, 160-pound senior returned the kickoff 95 yards to put Exeter in front 36-7. Ware had a punt return touchdown called back earlier in the game due to a penalty. The Eagles committed eleven penalties overall. Josh Jackson made it 43-7 on a 21-yard touchdown run with five minutes to play in the third quarter. The Mustangs got a 2-yard touchdown run from sophomore Trever King midway through the fourth quarter. Exeter outgained Gov. Mifflin 406-to-166. The Eagles churned out 310 yards on the ground.

Exeter brought back seven starters on each side of the ball from a team that went (12-2) in 2024. The Eagles finished second in Section 2 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. They lost to Bishop McDevitt 48-14 in the District 3-5A Championship. Brown has high hopes this fall. “We’re coming to win it all, without a doubt,” he said.

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