Forsythe eager for senior season
The 2009 football season has long been over. Just don’t tell Uniontown’s Jake Forsythe. Actually, Forsythe might not even know yet, considering that it’s all been one big blur for the senior tailback/linebacker.
Despite a loss to Hampton in the second round of the playoffs, Forsythe went back to work the very next day.
All that work has paid off for the 6-foot 215 pounder, who has legs the size of small tree trunks. He is drawing the interest of college football programs across the country.
“He’s a tough kid,” Uniontown veteran coach John Fortugna said. “He’s a good back with good hands and great vision, and he can block too.
“On defense, he runs from sideline to sideline and is really active.”
Last season, Forsythe helped the Red Raiders to a 7-4 record and their first playoff victory since 1965. Along the way, he ran for 700 yards and earned all conference honors as a tailback.
“He’s a great kid off the field too,” Fortugna said.
And the coach would know, because he is in charge of disciplining students.
“He’s never been in my office for anything bad,” Fortugna said. “I don’t see him except on the football field.”
And that’s a good thing for the Red Raiders and bad news for the opposing teams.
Because when Forsythe arrives on the field he isn’t into giving out handshakes and hugs to the opposition.
“He seeks out the contact when he runs and when he tackles,” Fortugna said. “He runs the ball like a linebacker.”
But don’t think that Forsythe’s game is all power. Fortugna said that the senior back has speed too.
“We are going to use him so many different ways this year,” Fortugna said. “We can put him in the backfield, split him out wide or block with him. He’s just so versatile.”
Forsythe said he enjoys playing running back more than linebacker. However, as long as he is on the field he’ll be happy.
“I like running back, but I also enjoy giving out hits on defense,” Forsythe said. “I’ve just been working so hard for this season. I want to win so badly.”
In fact, Forsythe began working towards this season the day after the Red Raiders lost to Hampton in the second round of the playoffs.
“I wanted to be better,” Forsythe said. “That was a great experience, but I found out that Hampton was just so much better than we were and I wanted to close that gap.”
That loss to Hampton has Forsythe hungry for another postseason chance this season.
However, he also helps a solid year will further his chances at playing football at the next level.
Currently, Football Championship Series teams Duquesne and Seton Hill have both shown interest in Forsythe along with FBS schools Toledo, Akron and North Carolina State.
“I just want a chance to play at that next level,” Forsythe said. “I don’t care where I play – defense or offense – I just want to play.”
If Forsythe, and the Red Raiders, have another good campaign in 2010, then there is a safe bet that dream will come true.
“We can be as good as we want to be,” Forsythe said of the 2010 season. “We just can’t be satisfied with last season and the successes that we had. We have to want more.”