COAHOMA Running Back Brysen Kerby
HERALD File Photo
After an injury derailed his sophomore season, Forsan running back Nate Hernandez hit the gridiron with redemption on his mind. The powerful back was able to bounce back with a season where he rushed for 858 yards and a whopping 14 touchdowns. Both of these were team-high's and allowed Forsan coach Jason Phillips to rely on his power-rushing attack all-season long.
“I thought he had a great year on both sides of the ball,” Phillips said. “Luckily, we're blessed with several guys that carry the ball for us but he's our power back. When we want tough yards, that's who we go to. He's a physical runner and I thought he had a great year.”
Hernandez really began to heat up during the district portion of the schedule this year. He had four 100-yard rushing games during district play this year that led to two wins over McCamey and Stamford. He was also the top performer in two hard-fought losses to Anson and Hawley where he also rushed for over 100 yards.
The junior running back is apart of a rushing committee with Forsan, as backfield-mate Chris Mendez and quarterbacks Sawyer Stallings and Major Stockton also do their part on the ground. While those three players are quicker than Hernandez, they
HERALD File Photo do not bring the physicality that he does in between the tackles.
“Those other three guys aren't built for running between the tackles like Nate is. They're more edge players. But if you asked Nate, I'm positive he'd rather run inside the tackles. He likes contact and we like to get him running downhill,” Phillips said.
Hernandez did not have a full offseason to work with last year as he recovered from an injury, but that will not be the same story this offseason. The powerful back will be returning for his senior year and can be expected to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark next fall.