Schlaffer – Berks Sports Report

Joey Schlaffer-Exeter

Paul Roberts — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 01:23:00 +0000

Exeter made history in 2021 by winning its first District 3 championship and advancing to the state semifinals in Class 5A. The Eagles lost four all-state selections and their starting quarterback to graduation. If you think they’re going to take a step back this year, you haven’t spoken with PSU commit Joey Schlaffer. “I think that was one of the biggest motivators going into the season. A lot of question marks were put around our name. I think this should be a little bit of an indicator as to what’s to come,” he said. The 6’6, 215-pound senior had two touchdown grabs in a 35-0 rout of Daniel Boone. The Eagles, who return six starters on each side of the ball, get to keep the Pig Iron Trophy. This was the 64th meeting between the rivals from Reiffton and Birdsboro. Sophomore Carter Redding broke off a 34-yard run late in the first quarter. Redding finished the drive with a 1-yard score to put Exeter on the board with 58 seconds left in the opening period. Schlaffer made his first appearance at quarterback on the Eagles’ next possession. He immediately took off for 26 yards. Exeter failed to capitalize, however, as Ryan Poore hit Richie Karstien just in front of the goal line. Karstien fumbled the ball into the end zone and the Blazers recovered with 8:22 remaining in the second quarter. After a 35-yard scamper by sophomore Pharrell Caceres, the Eagles were back in business. A 10-yard shovel pass from Mason Rotelli to Schlaffer gave them a 14-0 edge midway through the quarter. One play after Exeter junior Zach Zandier missed a 37-yard field goal, senior defensive tackle Kyle Lash recovered Ethan Kryman’s fumble at the 7-yard line. Rotelli’s 1-yard run extended the Eagles’ advantage to 21-0 with 1:11 before the break. Exeter got the ball back at the Blazers’ 47-yard line with nine seconds to go until halftime. Rotelli went up top to Zandier as time expired. The 6’5, 220-pound tight end reeled it in to stun the Blazers. Schlaffer was very proud of Rotelli’s effort in his first start. “Great job, no question about it. He threw a deep bomb before half to Zandier which was freaking great. Oh my God was that great. He wasn’t afraid to stick his nose in between the lines,” he said. Rotelli went 12-of-16 for 158 yards and 3TD. He found Schlaffer over the middle for a 34-yard touchdown with 42 seconds to go in the third quarter. Schlaffer had four receptions for 53 yards and 2TD. He rumbled for 37 yards on three carries in his lone series at quarterback. He mentioned, “It felt really good. I felt like we got a lot of positive plays, linemen were doing a great job. It definitely was a confidence booster.” Schlaffer is also playing defensive end for the first time. He emphasized, “The sack was great. It felt amazing. I love defense. I love pursuing the ball.” The Eagles limited Daniel Boone to 62 yards in the first half. Things got much worse for the Blazers in the third quarter when junior quarterback Dean Rotter suffered a collarbone injury. He didn’t return to the game. Rotter was 6-of-14 for 34 yards. Senior Caden Tolosky led Daniel Boone on the ground with nine touches for 48 yards. Exeter lost a player of its own in the same period when Joey Reedy hurt his shoulder. The 6’3, 220-pound DE was taken off the field in an ambulance. Caceres chipped in with a team-high 64 yards on nine carries. The 5’9, 155-pound RB is hard to find behind an offensive line that includes Anthony Caccese at RT. The Delaware commit is 6’6 and 280 pounds. Lash and Lucas Palange are back as the starting guards. Schlaffer’s expectations haven’t changed. He said, “I don’t believe it’s any sort of drop-off. We’re just picking up right where we left off.”

Joey Schlaffer-Exeter

Paul Roberts — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 01:05:00 +0000

The Eagles were holding onto a 31-28 lead at Gov. Mifflin with just over three minutes left in the District 3-5A championship. Exeter was facing a 4th & 4 at the Mustangs’ 38-yard line. The coaches were going to punt until Colin Payne and Joey Schlaffer convinced them to go for it. They didn’t let their coaches down. Payne hit Schlaffer for five yards and the Eagles were able to run out the clock. #7 seed Exeter earned its first District 3 title. Schlaffer had five catches for 55 yards and 2TD. The 6’6 junior told me that their team has gone through a lot of difficult moments this year. The Eagles lost to Gov. Mifflin 54-21 on October 8th. Schlaffer said they weren’t just looking to compete with the top-seeded Mustangs in the rematch; they were playing for keeps. Schlaffer called Colin Payne “a warrior.” Payne went 13-21 for 161 yards and 3TD on a very windy night. Schlaffer added that Eric Nangle has taken his game to another level in the postseason. Nangle ran for 223 yards on 40 carries against Gov. Mifflin. He had a 31-yard TD run in the fourth quarter and a 33-yard TD reception that gave Exeter a 21-7 advantage midway through the second quarter. The (10-3) Eagles finished with 399 total yards while holding the (10-1) Mustangs to 219. Schlaffer has a lot of respect for fellow Penn State commit Nick Singleton. The Gov. Mifflin star was limited to 40 yards on eight carries. Singleton did score two touchdowns including a 51-yard reception. He holds the Berks County record with 116 career touchdowns. Schlaffer got a call from PSU tight ends coach Ty Howle after the game. Exeter is going to the state semifinals for the first time!

Joey Schlaffer-Exeter

Paul Roberts — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 17:01:00 +0000

How impressed has Joey Schlaffer been with Penn State head coach James Franklin? Schlaffer told me that Franklin is “the best coach in college football.” We talked about Franklin’s new 10-year contract and the family environment in State College. Schlaffer, who committed to Penn State one month ago, was named a first-team wide receiver in Berks County. The 6’6, 210-pound junior has a team-high 36 catches and 6TD. He’s averaging nearly 19 yards per reception. Seventh-seeded Exeter travels to Shillington on Friday to take on unbeaten Gov. Mifflin in the District 3-5A championship. Schlaffer explained what it’s like competing against Nick Singleton, another PSU commit. Singleton holds the Berks County record with 6,286 career rushing yards. The Mustangs beat the Eagles 54-21 in early October. Singleton ran for 248 yards and 4TD. Schlaffer said this year’s Exeter team is built different than others. We discussed their dominant performance at #2 seed Manheim Central in the quarterfinals. The (9-3) Eagles rolled to a 43-26 victory. They took down #6 Cedar Cliff 42-35 in the semifinals. Schlaffer also revealed his favorite food on Thanksgiving. His answer will definitely surprise you!

Joey Schlaffer-Exeter

Paul Roberts — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 23:30:00 +0000

Penn State assistant coach Ty Howle and Maryland assistant Mike Miller made the trip to Reiffton to see Exeter’s Joey Schlaffer. The 6’6 junior TE/WR didn’t disappoint vs. Wilson. Schlaffer had five catches for 78 yards and 2TD. The Eagles rolled in the second half to a 42-14 win. Schlaffer said, “This was a statement.” He talked about playing in front of Division I coaches. Schlaffer filled me in on his postgame conversation with his half-brother Michal Menet. The former Exeter star and Penn State captain was in attendance. Schlaffer also gave some great insight into his first TD catch against the Bulldogs. The Eagles improved to 2-1. This was their first victory in seven meetings with Wilson.

Joey Schlaffer-Exeter

Paul Roberts — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 20:54:00 +0000

Joey Schlaffer already has more than a dozen Division I offers including Tennessee, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Arizona State, and Nebraska. The 6’6 junior is Michal Menet’s half-brother. Menet is one of the best players in Exeter history. He went on to become a captain at Penn State, and is now in training camp with the Arizona Cardinals. Schlaffer was the Berks County WR of the Year last season. He averaged 23 yards on his 19 catches with 6TD. Schlaffer said this year’s team has a lot of weapons. I loved his comments about senior Ty Yocum. Schlaffer also told me what shows he’s watching on Netflix.