Thomas Jefferson’s Emmett Forte earns coveted Breisinger Award

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, February 22, 2026 | 11:01 AM

His forte on the Thomas Jefferson football team was tackling.

Off the field, he’s a valuable mentor for the younger players.

Emmett Forte, a 5-foot-10, 195-pound senior running back/linebacker, is the recipient of this year’s prestigious Breisinger Award.

“I’m honored to be held and looked at in the highest standard by my teammates,” Forte said. “I had a feeling that I had won based on what my team was telling me, but when it was announced I was happy.”

Forte was a team leader both on and off the field in 2025, particularly as a starting outside linebacker.

He led the team in tackles with 49 unassisted and 24 assisted (83 total). He also had three interceptions that he returned 85 yards with two touchdowns, recovered two fumbles and had one sack.

He also contributed 236 yards and four TDs in the rushing department, caught one pass for 2 yards, returned eight kickoffs for 75 yards and was a punt returner.

Forte, Zach Villa, Kane Eggerton and Alejandro Aleman were the starting linebackers for the Jaguars in 2025.

The Breisinger Award was established in 1979 and named after former Pleasant Hills police officer Albert Breisinger. It is presented annually to a senior football player at TJ for his hard work, community involvement and academics.

“Emmett was an excellent selection for the award,” TJ coach Bill Cherpak said. “He is a leader by example and always gives 100% effort. He is an excellent role model and mentor for the younger players.

“He is quiet off the field but his play on the field speaks volumes.”

The Breisinger Award is not the team MVP. It goes to the player who best exemplifies the “character, courage, leadership and sacrifice demonstrated in the life and eternal spirit” of Breisinger, whose high school football uniform number — 62 — is the only one retired at TJ.

Each member of the team receives one vote.

Forte, 17, was lauded as this year’s award recipient at the TJ football banquet held Jan. 18 at the Georgetown Centre in Pleasant Hills.

Two family members, husband and wife Scott and Denise Breisinger, believe Forte is an excellent honoree and an outstanding representative of the award.

“Emmett Forte embodied everything the Breisinger Award stands for,” Scott Breisinger said, mentioning qualities such as “humility, a ‘team first’ mentality, hard work and love of the TJ football program and the community.

“My family is proud to have him carry forward with the legacy that the award represents.”

Denise Breisinger is an English teacher at the high school; Forte is one of her students.

“When I think of Emmett Forte, I think of ‘quiet strength,’” she said. “As his English teacher, I see it not only in the classroom but in the way he carries himself every day.

“Emmett is an easygoing, positive presence with a genuine smile, and he treats peers, teachers and coaches with consistent respect. He leads without needing attention, which is exactly why this teammate-selected honor is so fitting.”

Forte joins a select group of award winners in the Jaguars’ football program.

“Emmett and I played JV football together my freshman year and he competed constantly,” said TJ junior Tyler Eber, one of Forte’s teammates. “He is the hardest worker I ever met, and not a single complaint ever. He especially had a great mindset and really truly is one of the greatest kids and football players I’ve met.”

Forte, Aleman, Deacon Kamberis and Brennen Foulds provided the lead blocking in the offensive backfield for Eber, one of the WPIAL’s best and most durable running back.

“Emmett stepped in at times to fill the blocking role. He was a real team player,” Eber said. “He did not play there the whole season but when injuries came, he always stepped in no matter what.

“Deacon Kamberis was our main blocking back at the beginning of the season. He got hurt and Emmett and Alejandro stepped in. They split time, and we also had Brennen Foulds who was great (in his blocking role) but he got hurt, as well. So, in our playoff run, we had Emmett step up big time by taking the majority of the lead-blocking reps.”

Forte plans to attend Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) after his high school graduation. He was asked what being a TJ football player meant to him.

“Friends, family and football,” he said.

Forte said his parents have been the biggest influences in his athletic career.

“They showed me how to work hard,” he said.

And his top remembrance from his football career?

“My favorite memory is from my freshman year,” Forte said, “when we had a pool party at Scott Breisinger’s house and the upperclassmen made the freshman do a belly flop contest.”

Forte also has been a member of TJ’s wrestling team for two years and plans to compete in track and field in the spring.

Tags: Thomas Jefferson