On Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, Central Bucks South seniors Ethan Knapp and Nate Norris were recognized for committing to continue their football careers at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery.
Ethan Knapp – Towson University (Football)
Reasons for choosing Towson: “I really fell in love with the team. They invited me into their locker room after a great win against William & Mary and just the atmosphere of the players and the coaching staff. Beforehand, the expectations of coach (Rob) Ambrose explaining what he wants out of players and new recruits and freshmen and reaching the glass ceiling – it just really intrigued me.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “I always was told in middle school – I could see you on a college football field. I never knew until I got to South the end of sophomore year that I could have the potential to play D-1 football. It caught me by surprise.”
Coach Tom Hetrick says: “Ethan is a three-year starter. I tell people – he’s good at his position (offensive lineman) not just because he’s big. He’s freakishly strong. He’s one of the strongest 17-year-old kids I’ve been around in 22 years, but that’s not why he’s good. He’s good because he wants to be good at it, he wants to master the technique. He’s one of the most intelligent people out there, so therefore, he gets what his responsibility is as well as where he fits into the bigger picture. He’s good because he committed himself early to learn how to play the position the right way as opposed to just using the fact that he was bigger than most people on the field. That’s why he’s able to put himself in a position to go to Towson.”
About Ethan:
Favorite food: Seafood
Favorite movies: The Blind Side & Friday Night Lights
Favorite music: Rock & Roll
Nate Norris – Lehigh University (Football)
Major: Arts & Sciences/Possibly Business
Final list of colleges: Lehigh, Lafayette, Rhode Island
Reasons for choosing Lehigh: “Lehigh was the first school to actually offer me a scholarship. Being that close to home, it’s awesome because my parents, friends and family can come see all my games. The city of Bethlehem and Lehigh fans really support their sports, especially football. They get a lot of people at their games, and it’s great academics too.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “Since sixth grade, I pretty much knew I wanted to play in college. Once I got to high school, after my 10th grade season, I started getting some e-mails and started seeing schools were actually taking an interest. I tried to keep working to make it happen.
“I tore my ACL the last game of my junior season, and the recruiting changed a lot because I had to wait for them to see my senior film. Certain schools that were recruiting me actually filled their spots, but Lehigh kept a spot open.”
Coach Tom Hetrick says: “There’s nobody that I can think of that is more deserving of the opportunity Lehigh is giving him. He’s a leader, he is the embodiment of work ethic, and he’s pure good. He was a three-year starter for us, and with each year, he just kept getting better and better. Even after his ACL injury his junior year, he attacked the rehab like he attacks life – full speed. We had confidence that he was going to come back and light it up, and that’s exactly what he did. Watching him run around on that football field - it was a lot of fun. He is one of the best linebackers ever to play at this school. He’s been a difference maker here, and I feel very confident that he’s going to get up there, and if he works himself into it, he will be able to find his way into the mix up there sooner rather than later.”
About Nate:
Favorite food: Cheese Wontons
Favorite movie: Guardians of the Galaxy
Favorite music: Hip Hop
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