Twin Springs’ Isaiah Kiser named Week 7 Player of the Week

NICKELSVILLE, Va. (WJHL) — Twin Springs sophomore Isaiah Kiser put together a dominant performance Friday night, scoring five total touchdowns in the first half of the Titans' 69-6 win over Castlewood.

Kiser rushed for 116 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries. He also made his presence felt defensively, returning an interception and a fumble for touchdowns.

"I knew I had it down there some way, but I mean, the whole team played great," Kiser said. "I wouldn't have ever been able to accomplish any of that without my team."

Kiser's success at running back didn't come overnight. After playing wide receiver last season, the sophomore spent the summer learning a new position to better serve his team.

Twin Springs head coach Keener Burke said Kiser has become a centerpiece of the Titans' offense.

"He understands it too. Sometimes he's even a decoy. We run plays where it looks like it's going to him and it's going to somebody else," Burke said. "But every play has some kind of aspect of Isaiah Kiser, because when you have a player like him, you have to draw up your offense around him."

Kiser's love for football began in sixth grade, and his passion for the sport has only grown since.

"Since then, I fell in love with it," Kiser said. "I mean, I love hitting people, I just love the community and what football brings to everybody."

With a young roster, Kiser said the Titans are focused on improving each week and building toward the future.

"With us being young, we always know a future is going to be bright," Kiser said. "So we've just been trying to push through it, just play to the best of our abilities each week and then let that take us where it takes us."

For Kiser, that means being ready to step up wherever his coach needs him.

"If he needs me to play somewhere, I can play there," Kiser said. "I'll do it. No ifs, ands or buts about it."

Burke said that mentality is what makes Kiser a natural leader, despite being just a sophomore.

"Sometimes leadership just find you. He's a natural leader. He's not terribly vocal, but he does the small things right. People know how to follow his footsteps, and that's how he leads," Burke said. "He practices hard. He does the warmups right. It's always 'yes, sir' and 'no, sir.' He's a great kid. That's why our program is getting better right now, is because of kids like him."

For his performance, Kiser was recognized as the WJHL High School Football Player of the Week, presented by Watauga Orthopedics and Champion Chevrolet.