Eli Zimmerman’s impact is immense.

And it’s often immediate.

The dynamic senior scored touchdowns three different ways, four in all, during Northwestern’s 56-7 victory over Northern Lehigh last Thursday.

Zimmerman had two rushing TDs, a scoring catch, and a punt return to the end zone. He had two carries for 89 yards, both scores, caught a 9-yard pass and his punt return covered 59 yards.

It was a performance that helped the Tigers move to 2-0, and one that helped Zimmerman earn Times News Football Player of the Week honors.

“His role was very limited coming into this season, offensively, just because we had (Dalton) Clymer in the backfield, and Devon Hildebrand, and he was stuck behind some really good football players,” said Northwestern head coach Josh Snyder. “And he brings a different skill set to the table coming into this year.

“We knew that if we could get him the ball out in space as many times as possible, good things are going to happen. And this is only two weeks into the season, and our sample size is really small. He’s only had it maybe like six or eight times a game maximum, and he’s found the end zone, I think, seven or eight times in two games. So I’m really looking forward to him playing four quarters, and us being able to utilize him in all the areas and capacity that we want to.”

Clymer carried the ball over 270 times and rushed for nearly 1,900 yards and scored over 30 total touchdowns a year ago, while Hildebrand led the team in receiving with 656 yards (54 catches) and seven scores to go along with four rushing touchdowns as the team went 15-1 and advanced to the state championship game.

Through two games, Zimmerman has carried the ball six times for 193 yards, an average of 32.17 yards per carry, and scored a total of seven touchdowns, which leads all area players.

“Losing someone like Dalton Clymer was definitely a big thing for us,” said Zimmerman. “So I think having to fill his role this year is probably my biggest adjustment. Last year, I got in a good amount of times. But to take over what he did for us last year, that big impact he had, it’s tough to do. And I think we’re doing a great job as a team on special teams this year, giving that offense a break and getting the defense off the field for a little bit.

“That’s really a big part of our game this year; three punt return touchdowns in the first two weeks, I can’t remember a time growing up when I’ve seen that.”

And not many defenses have seen a player like Zimmerman.

“He’s got a great knack and feel for the game. He is a multi-sport kid, and I think playing those other sports, basketball and baseball, helps him be a well-rounded athlete,” said Snyder. “I think that helps him to see the field. I think that helps him recognize and see space. He can be a few steps ahead of everything and everybody else.

“And then just a sheer athleticism. He’s got a great athletic ability and explosion and vision, and those instincts. So you combine all those things and you’ve got what you’re seeing unfold here. We’ve had some explosive kids in our programs in the last couple years and through my tenure, and he’s right there up with the best of them through a couple games.”

Zimmerman scored all three times in the first quarter against Northern Lehigh and recorded his fourth TD in the second quarter.

But those aren’t the numbers Zimmerman cares about.

Zimmerman knows the Tigers have something special. And what he wants will take a level of commitment and countless contributions from each player and coach, something that has helped set a standard for excellence at Northwestern.

“I think it’s just the brotherhood we have,” said Zimmerman. “Growing up together, we’ve been playing football, I think some of us for 10-plus years. Since we were in flags, I can remember Josh Wambold, me, Jared Meck, we have pictures going back from when we were four years old just playing football. Just the brotherhood that we have here, and the coaches that they grew up here, they played here, it’s just they know the community and the community supports us.

“So I just think that’s a big part, and we just love playing for each other. We really don’t care about the stats or anything that comes with it. We just want to win football games and put on a show each week for Tiger Nation.”