Jamestown Finds Dual Threat QB in Newcomer Sisson
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The journey that junior Jake Sisson endured to be named the Red Raiders starting quarterback was a long one - 2,100 miles to be exact.
From middle school football in Lakewood, New York, to back up QB on a state championship team in Bentonville, Arkansas, and now back to Jamestown in mid-August.
"I flew up for the first day of practice, I lived with my uncle out in Gerry for a bit. I felt like if I came in and did my thing I felt like I could take over the starting spot and eventually I did," said Sisson.
Taking over as signal caller for the Red Raiders isn't what a youthful Sisson envisioned. Jake grew up thinking he'd be a Southwestern Trojan, before his father George - a former member of the Jamestown Jammers front office - accepted a job in Arkansas.
After two years in Bentonville, Sisson's teammates are glad to have him on their side.
"We have really built up a chemistry between me and Sisson and it is coming along really well. He is throwing the deep ball a lot better and he is great and we love him," said Sisson's teammate Mike Watson.
Sisson's move from Arkansas hasn't just been a big change in his life, it has also changed the Jamestown offense; one that had a prototypical pro-style quarterback to a dual threat who is averaging over 75 yards rushing per game.
"One of his strengths in addition to throwing is running the ball. What that does is gives us another man to defend, because he can hand the ball off, run it or throw it. I think you have to take your personnel, what are their strengths and tailor your offense, defense, and special teams around that," said head coach Tom Langworthy.
Sisson and the rest of the Red Raiders have been clicking so far this season - winning their first two games by an average of 23.5 points. They get their first league test Friday at Lancaster.