Photo courtesy of Francletography (Edited to include text)

Jake Wozniak

Alexander Football – RB/LB

Year: Junior

Post-high school plans: Jake would like to join the Air Force out of high school and later turn his service into a career.

AB: As a Junior this year, how has it felt helping your team in such a big way over the course of the season?

JW: “It feels great knowing that when I’m trying my hardest I am helping the team get better and better as the season goes on.”

AB: What do you think has most directly effected your emergence in the backfield this season?

JW: “It’s really been a combination of a bunch of things. Hard work during practice is definitely a big reason, but really the biggest is just going over what my job on the field is with the Seniors who have played there longer than I have. Ty (Laird) has probably helped me the most to get me where I am today.” 

AB: How have the other relationships that you have developed over time helped you reach where you are currently?

JW: “Well, every coach in our program has really helped me. Coach Sawyer, Coach McCracken, and Coach Smykowski are the best coaches I have had the pleasure of getting to know and each of them really will take the time to help you in any way; whether it’s going over assignments or just keeping a cool head. My parents have also really helped me get to where I am because they are by far my biggest supporters and always cheer me on when it comes to sports.” 

AB: On the field, you have really stepped up your play over the course of the past two games, but you and Tristan, among others, still seem to be alternating lead-back duties. Knowing you share the load as one of your teams’ several capable runners, how do you stay fresh and ready no matter when your name is called to carry the ball?

JW: “Working hard during the season really keeps my conditioning up and it also helps when you have multiple capable running backs to run the ball once you get tired. But sometimes it does get hard not knowing when you get to run the ball, because you have to be constantly paying attention during the game so that you know when and where to go in. Overall, though, I think its good that we have so many backs because it keeps the defense on their feet.“

AB: How do you think the continued improvement of your running attack has related to your overall success as a football team?

JW: “Our running game is a big part of our offense. When we can run for five yards a carry or more, it really opens up our passing game and it really takes the weight off of our defense when we can move the ball and eat clock. Our line has really helped our running game and really contributes to our recent success as well.“

AB: On the other side of the ball, you have been a real playmaker as of late. What has led to your success, as well as the success of the other linebackers, in your opinion?

JW: “In my opinion, my success as a linebacker is really because of our core of linebackers being mainly seniors who really pull their weight defensively. That makes my job easier – when everyone is doing their one-eleventh on the field.”

AB: Going forward, what are you going to do, personally, in order to help bring the glory back to the Alexander football program?

JW: “Well, I feel like last year’s team really helped install the importance of the weight room and how it affects how you will play, so I would like to keep that going and pass it down to the next group of guys. I want Alexander football to keep getting better as the years go on.”

Jake Wozniak has been superstar for his team on both sides of the ball over their last few games. As Alexander awaits Elba this weekend the Trojans will look to Wozniak, as well as their vast group of Senior leadership, in order to work their way through a difficult matchup, and come out on the other side holding second place in the league with a favorable chance to participate in the postseason.

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