The 12 to Watch in 2012: Biglerville RB/CB Oakley Fissel
This is Part 11 in our continuing blog series, which looks at 12 players to watch during the upcoming YAIAA football season. A reminder, there is one major change from last year's list: In an effort to profile a wider range of teams, I'm only picking one player from each school for the list.
Previous playersRB Alex Cooley, Eastern York
RB/OLB Marquis Fells, Central York
QB James Dougherty, York Catholic
C/DT Brody Kern, West YorkQB Dustin Crouse, Littlestown
RB Dillon Thomas, South WesternWR/RB Jaime Nixon-Alark, York SuburbanDB Dan Hare, Kennard-Dale RB Jason Milton, Red LionQB Brett Smith, Delone Catholic
RB/CB Oakley Fissel
Biglerville, Sr.
2011 stats: 159 carries, 1,148 yards, 7.22 avg., 13 TDs
The YAIAA's coaches certainly recognized Fissel's importance to the Canners -- the then-junior was a Division III all-star at both running back and cornerback. He finished among the YAIAA top 10 for rushing yards last season, was the centerpiece of a Canners offense that relied on the run. Fissel piled up twice as many yards as his next closest teammate.
Even more impressive, Fissel ran well against some of the division's better competition.
A sampling:
- Fissel notched 94 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 26-13 loss to Delone Catholic.
- He exploded for 174 yards and a score in a shootout win over York Catholic.
- He churned out 139 yards and a touchdown in a season-ending loss to eventual division champion Bermudian Springs.
What Fissel lacks in size (5-foot-6, 160 pounds) he makes up for with speed, instincts and deceptive strength (as you can see in his highlights here). He's one more reason for optimism in Biglerville this season -- the Canners showed significant signs of improvement under head coach Alex Ramos last season, and return many key contributors from that group.
Other Canners to watch: Rising seniors Trevor Stover (DL) and Tyler Lieberum (S) were both Division III all-stars last season as juniors. ... Tanner Cool quaterbacked the final eight games of Biglerville's 2011 season, and will be a senior this fall.