2024 Interview with Valley Forge Free Safety Evan Tappe
Evan Tappe
Valley Forge
Free Safety
2026
5'9", 160 lbs
What was the highlight of the 2023 football season?
In my opinion, the highlight of the 2023 season was knocking off the 7th-ranked Buckeye. All the odds were stacked against us, and no one expected us to win, but we talked in the locker room before the game, and we wanted to go put the state on notice, and we sure did.
How did your baseball season go?
Baseball had its highs and lows for me. Overall, I batted in the.280s–.290s between summer and high school baseball. I feel as if this year was a big learning experience for me in the sense of trying to keep the mental part of the game under control.
Last time I interviewed you, you let me know that you were going to be playing some cornerback. How much time did you get at the position, and how did it go?
I actually ended up being flipped to safety before the first game. I had, in my opinion, a very successful year. I finished with first team all conference honors and racked in 85 total tackles, which ranked 20th among all players in Div. 2.
Valley Forge slipped to 4–7 last season. What must the 2024 team do to produce a winning record this season?
We had a rough start to the season last year; we had a new head coach, we were very young, and we were all still trying to find our footing. Towards the end of the year, we put together a string of five games where we played great football against some high-level players and high-level teams, so I hope to carry that momentum into this year.
What is the toughest part of football practice?
I think the toughest part of practice is showing up day in and day out and putting in the work. It can become mentally daunting and hard to perform at your best day in and day out, but at the end of the day, when the first game rolls around, it’s going to be about who puts in the most work this offseason.
What makes you a good teammate?
I think I’m pretty positive, and I always do my best to keep the energy up in the weightroom and on the practice field.
Which teammate is most likely to do something funny to get a laugh when things are a little tense?
Cam Wadsworth is one of the most positive and uplifting guys I have ever played with. He always keeps the mood light and makes sure the guys around him are smiling and having fun.
Who is the best player that you have ever faced on the field during a game, along with the team he played on?
The best player I have ever played against was Brody Lennon. He just recently committed to Ohio State and plays for Gilmour Academy, which is our week-one game. I can’t wait to go toe-to-toe with those guys.
I know it is a little early, but have you thought about which sport you want to play in college?
I haven’t given it much thought yet. Obviously, the ultimate goal is to play one of the two in college; in the most ideal world, I would be able to play both in college.
Would you rather start the season with your rival or end it with them? Explain
I would rather start the season with the rivalry. I feel like when you win that rivalry game, the team morale is just completely flipped, and it just carries into the next games and can turn a whole season around.
Where should the state finals be held?
I think it would be really cool for the state finals to be held at Ohio Stadium.
What is your favorite class or subject?
My favorite class is science.
What topping goes on your burger?
Cheese and mustard
Have you ever been to a Toledo Rockets football or baseball game?
I have never been to a Toledo game, but I would love to see the campus and see some of their sports teams play.
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