Eleven to watch in 2011: Tyler Fitzkee
In our continued attempts to stave off the summer lull -- and to keep this blog something resembling fresh -- we bring you a new series: The 11 YAIAA football players you need to watch in 2011. Each day for the next week and a half, we'll feature another of the league's most promising talents. Think we missed somebody? Chime in using the comments section. Tyler Fitzkee, RB/LB, Bermudian Springs As a junior last fall, Fitzkee was part of a highly successful platoon with then-senior Austin Keller. Together, the two produced 2,732 combined rushing yards -- more than any other duo in the YAIAA. Not only that, but Fitzkee finished as the YAIAA's leading rusher (1,424). And with Keller graduated, you can probably expect Fitzkee to see even more carries this season. As an offensive threat, Fitzkee was more than your ground-and-pound running back. He averaged 7.2 yards per carry, and also chipped in 272 receiving yards and a team-best 23 receptions. Fitzkee was a monster at the end of the season: He rolled off 328 rushing yards and five touchdowns in a Week 10 drubbing of Biglerville, then burned Littlestown for 194 total yards and four scores in a District 3-AA playoff upset. None of which takes into account Fitzkee's ball-homing work at linebacker. He led the Eagles in both tackles (123) and sacks (6.5) 2010 statsRushing 199 cares, 1,424 yards, 7.2 avg., 19 TDS Passing 23 catches, 272 yards, 11.8 avg., 3 TDs Defense 123 tackles (10.3 per game avg.), 6.5 sacks