FORKS — Hard-charging senior running back and linebacker Tristen Pisani shook off the effects of an ankle injury in Forks’ 28-8 season opening triumph over Port Angeles.

Pisani led the Spartans in rushing with 15 carries for 107 yards and a touchdown and had two quarterback sacks and multipletackles in the victory to earn Swain’s Athlete of the Week honors.

His 36-yard TD rumble through the middle of the Roughriders defense in the third quarter gave Forks a 14-0 lead and somebreathing room in the North Olympic Peninsula showdown.

“He’s a special player, you saw what he could do on defense,” Spartans coach Emil West said. “He was flying to the ball. To me, he’s the epitome of a football player.”