Weisman bound for Air Force

Mark Weisman loves his country.

He is, after all, a Patriot.

So, the Stevenson fullback, an incoming senior for the Patriots, has given a verbal commitment to the Air Force Academy, where he hopes to become an officer someday in addition to a valuable asset on the football field.

"It's just a good fit for me to go there and play fullback for them," said the 6-foot, 210-pound Weisman, who rushed for 1,149 yards and scored 16 touchdowns as a junior. "(Air Force's) academics are unbelievable, and I want to serve my country."

Weisman, the youngest of two sons of Larry and Ilene, made an official visit last week to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., with his parents and brother, Andrew, who's a student at the University of Iowa. When he returned home, he contacted the Falcons the next day and made his commitment.

"The place was unbelievable," said Weisman, who was also considering Western Michigan, Central Michigan and Miami (Ohio). "They're on the rise for football, too."

In 2008, Air Force went 8-5, including 5-3 in the Mountain West Conference, and played in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl for the second consecutive year.

The previous year, Troy Calhoun took over the head-coaching duties from the legendary Fisher DeBerry, who retired after 23 years. Calhoun, a 1989 Academy graduate, led the Falcons to a 9-4 record after three straight losing seasons.

Weisman has military ties, as his late grandfather, with whom he was close, served the U.S. Army in World War II.

He thought about that when he committed to the Air Force.

"I think he'd be proud," Weisman said.

Weisman will be entering his third season of varsity football for Stevenson. He impressed coach Bill Mitz so much last fall that the week after the Patriots' season ended with a first-round playoff loss to Maine South Mitz named him a team captain for 2009.

Weisman played the whole Maine South game at both fullback and linebacker. He scored on TD runs of 87 and 74 yards against a Hawks team that went on to win the Class 8A state championship with a 14-0 record. He was named all-conference and all-area.

Consider Weisman a fast learner when it comes to football, as he never played the game until the sixth grade.

"My mom didn't want me to," he said. "My dad convinced her."