(The speedy wideout has gained size and strength adding to his game) |
One of the most exciting players in the entire northwest, Forrest Russell (5-7 165 Sr. WR) of Skyview HS in Washington, is back and even better in 2012 after helping his team to the class 4a Washington State Title game
Many of you know him by name, but he also gets a lot of face recognition as the kid is a football junkie and is at every one of our events. Last season he took the state by storm going for over 800 yards receiving, and 9 Tds on an incredible run to the championship.
The loss to Skyline in title game stung, but it didn’t take away from all of the excitement created within the community and for the season ahead. Russell says, " Ive been hitting the weight room really hard and trying to get bigger, and we are looking good and have some solid team leaders back just like last year".
The team loses a big time QB in Kieran McDonagh, but may have a system QB just as good in Jordan Berni who has looked phenomenal this off season. Berni is beloved by his teammates, and they have all grown up with one another so they should be good to go behind center.
Forrest adds, " Everyone seems dedicated to the team this year, and working hard to get back to the dome.. Me personally I’ve been making sure to get a lot of reps with my QB Jordan, and am doing everything I can to make sure that my routes are extremely crisp while always getting separation from defenders".
Russell has been breaking off DB’s off for awhile now , and proved that he can do that on a national stage representing NEI-South in Las Vegas last March at the national tournament. Video’s of him doing work on DB’s out of LA and Oakland among other places are readily available on NEI, so its not just the NW kids that are getting broke off.
The question with Russell remains size and who is going to give him a shot at the next level. I was one of those people that questioned if he could play at the highest level, but no longer. He would do well at the D1aa level, and I think with continued success he will get his shot.
A good thing for Forrest is that his sidekick Reiley Henderson (5-10 185 Sr. WR/CB) is back as well, and will make it very difficult to double up on one or the other. Henderson is just as lethal, as proven when the Skyview team came up and won "The Battle in Seattle" 7 on 7 tournament, over an NEI All Star team earlier in the year.
Forrest is a kid that makes doing what we do worth it. He has been a Barton Football Academy kid for years and never misses any camp, combine, or event where he has a chance to get better and prove himself. Some school is going to get a steal, as he is using his senior year as a platform to get his college career started.
" I would like to go for 1000 yards this season and 15+ Tds, and I believe the work I have put in over the off season and in the weight room will help out tremendously".
No matter what Skyview is going to be one of the top teams in the state of Washington, and Russell and company will be fun to watch. The Storm are legit, and we wish the kids from Vancouver another outstanding season.
Forrest Russell Highlights…http://www.hudl.com/athlete/839759/highlights/2393403
( One of the NW’s top ranked receivers Forrest Russell in back and even better in 2012)
