Like star running back Marshawn Lynch of the Seattle Seahawks, sophomore Nyfease West believes that eating Skittles before the game gives him an extra edge. Although one can argue the actual effect of Skittles, no one can argue on the effect that West has had on the North Penn Knights running game. Inserted into the lineup after the Knights’ disastrous 0-3 start, West ran for 187 yards in his first game and has become a major part of the Knights’ turnaround season and advancement deep into the PIAA playoffs.

Football has been a big part of his life starting with his father, a former Knight, to playing on the Cannoneers at age 5. “I would always watch football on TV when I was little and I always wanted to play,” West explained.

West still watches the Eagles, his favorite team, but also likes to follow Texans running back Arian Foster; “he runs really hard and he is big and fast, I just really like him,” stated West.

The transition to starting running back of the Knights as a sophomore has not been easy.

“I was actually really surprised because I didn’t think I would be playing as a sophomore and the football here is very fast and very physical.”

Originally positioned as a safety, West’s speed and field vision caught the attention of the coaches who transitioned him to running back.

During West’s transition to the starting lineup, his teammates supported him. “They told me to be calm and to study my plays and to just work hard.” Although nervous before every game, the nerves go away once the game starts and “I just play,” continued West.

With West’s speed and an offense that has developed into a dominate force, the Knights have run off an impressive nine victories. When asked about his teammates and the upcoming game against Perkiomen Valley, West beamed, “I am excited for the game and love everybody on the team. Everybody is working together and using each other if we need each other and working hard in practice.”

Although this season will be remembered by many for the great turnaround, for West and his North Penn teammates it will be remembered as a season where working hard, and supporting and believing in each other led to great things on the football field.