Post flourishing in new role for Timberlane football

It didn't take long for Kevin Fitzgerald to realize what the Timberlane High School football team had in Jacob Post.

When Post was a freshman, it took less than a week of practices for him to start getting reps with the first-string offense.

Now that he's a junior captain, Fitzgerald and the Owls' coaching staff have called on Post to shoulder a lot of the load at running back. Through two games this season, he's prove he can handle it.

"He's a natural running back and his vision is outstanding," Fitzgerald said. "He sees the field as good as anybody we've had. He's a nice blend of speed and power at 190 pounds. He can run you over or he can run by you. He's certainly a special talent."

Post has used that talent to put up some big numbers in the Owls' first two games, as he's averaged over 10 yards per carry and already has seven touchdowns.

A position change, and taking on the role of a captain as a junior, might have been a lot for a player to handle in one offseason, but having been a contributor on the varsity in his first two years, Post felt ready for the challenge.

"I felt like I was always able to play at higher levels," he said. "I knew my responsibilities coming in and I knew I had to work for it."

Already with a crowded backfield in 2014, Fitzgerald moved Post to slot receiver for his first two years, trying to get him on the field in any way that he could.

"He made an impact with us as a freshman," the coach said. "I think he had eight or nine touchdowns. He's played receiver the last two years, but we knew eventually that he'd take over as the primary back."

After coming up through the youth program as a running back, Post took advantage of the temporary position change to get a better understanding of what the responsibilities are for different positions on the field.

"It allowed me to get a feel (of the offense) from a wide receiver's standpoint, really feel out the whole field," he said. "I had to get separation from the defense and fill out those holes and had to learn blocking responsibilities."

Fitzgerald had little doubt that Post would be able to handle playing in a different spot on the field. As a freshman, he was also a starter for the wrestling and baseball teams, and as a sophomore, he switched to outdoor track and scored points for the Owls. Post also came in second at 182 pounds in the Division I wrestling championships.

If he were to decided to switch to lacrosse or soccer at some point, Fitzgerald believes he'd be able to do those as well.

"He could do pretty much anything," Fitzgerald said. "He's going to want to play and he's going to want to win."

While he enjoys wrestling and track, Post views himself as more of a football player.

"I like all the sports I play very much ... but I see myself as a football player," he said. "I feel that's where I have the most knowledge and most skill. I love wrestling, but football is my passion. I've always enjoyed other sports and I watch and think I'd like to try that. But I'm content with what I'm doing now."

Post will have another opportunity to continue his successful season Saturday, when the Owls (1-1) travel to Goffstown (2-0) for a 1:30 p.m. start.