The 6-foot, 210-pound Freeman will be out there, performing all game at outside linebacker and sharing fullback duties with Alex Murray. As recently as a few days ago, his status was iffy.
Not because of injury, behavior or grades. Because he needed to spend a long time weighing Future vs. Present.
Freeman boasts offers from Army, Navy and Virginia Military Institute, and all three have indicated his academic credentials are sufficient. But the way Freeman figures, why take a chance?
"I really wanted to take the SATs this Saturday," Freeman said, "so I could have the best possible score on my transcript. That could have meant missing the game or getting there really late.
"I decided I couldn't do that to my teammates. We've been through too much together. I'm too close to these guys. So, I'll take the SAT again in January."
Fluck said he asked PIAA honchos about switching the game to maybe 2 p.m., but was told the time would stand. He's not angry. He's just sad that players such as Freeman, whose whole life journey could be affected by a standardized test, find themselves in such a precarious spot.
Ah, Tristin's used to it.
You know how rumors are swirling that West is on the Philadelphia Archdiocese's chopping block? Been there. Done that. From the sixth through ninth grades, Freeman attended Scotland School for Veterans' Children, near Chambersburg, Pa. Financial issues forced its demise, and Freeman wound up at West, as did two other football players, 2010 grads Marcus Burwell and Erik Harper.
Freeman chose West because his godbrother, star wideout Rodney Blango ('08), spoke so highly of his experience there.
