St. Charles East’s Abe Swanson doesn’t have the prototypical size people would normally expect from a middle linebacker.
That didn’t stop the 6-foot, 200-pound senior from becoming the Upstate Eight River defensive player of the year, however.
“I’ve learned to cope with that,” Swanson said. “I know that being undersized doesn’t mean that you can’t play. You have to find other ways. I’d say I probably have the best technique of any linebacker in the state due to coaching.”
Swanson has the luxury of having Pat Schiller on staff.
The former Geneva and Northern Illinois star spent three seasons on NFL practice squads in Atlanta and St. Louis. He’s done his best to impart his knowledge on Swanson and the rest of the Saints’ linebackers.
“Everything I’ve taught them I’ve been taught,” Schiller said. “As far as technique, it’s invaluable knowledge that I try to pass down to these guys.”
Schiller has been pleased with the player Swanson has developed into in his three varsity seasons.
“I’m so impressed with how much he’s been able to soak up and be able to use,” Schiller said. “He’s the quarterback on our defense, the prototypical leader who puts guys in the positions they need to be in.
“He is the vocal leader, the emotional leader, the physical leader. He is everything that you want in your Mike linebacker.”
Swanson has taken full advantage of Schiller’s experiences.
“He has been a huge reason for my success,” Swanson said. “Honestly, he’s taught me everything I know as a linebacker. The new abilities that he’s brought to me have been outstanding. He’s helped me out so much.”
East coach Bryce Farquhar knows Swanson’s value to the team has been more than just his on-field performance, however.
“He’s always focused on the details and small aspects of the game,” Farquhar said. “He’s a student of the game. He’s worked hard in the weight room, speed and conditioning stuff. It’s all of the things combined that he does. He provides good leadership on top of it.”
Swanson’s reward for his hard work, in addition to helping lead the Saints to the playoffs, was winning conference defensive player of the year honors.
“Honestly, it means a lot to me,” Swanson said. “Being all-conference the past two years was great, too. Earning that defensive player of the year status puts it at a new level.”
The trick now is getting Division I colleges to take a look. Schools have an idea of the height, weight and speed of the linebackers they want to recruit.
Since Swanson isn’t 6-3 and 225 pounds, Schiller has been lobbying on his behalf to the people he knows in the college game, comparing Swanson to former Geneva linebacker Michael Santacaterina.
Santacaterina was a preferred walk-on at NIU, eventually earning a scholarship and having a solid career while being undersized.
“I can’t really thank him enough,” Swanson said of Schiller. “He’s told coaches you’ve got to overlook this kid’s size because he will put on size for you. He’ll do anything to play at the next level.”
That’s on the back burner for at least another week, however, as the 17th-seeded Saints (8-2) prepare to host top-seeded Lincoln-Way East (10-0) at 1 p.m. Saturday in the second round of the Class 8A playoffs.
“This is the high school moment we’ve all been waiting for,” Swanson said. “We’re more excited than ever. I think it will be a lot better game than people think.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
Mike Clark’s Chicago-area rankings
With records and previous rankings
1. Lincoln-Way East 10-0 (1)
Up next: at No. 18 St. Charles East (8A).
2. Maine South 9-1 (2)
Up next: at Warren (8A).
3. Prairie Ridge 10-0 (3)
Up next: at Cary-Grove (6A).
4. Loyola 9-1 (4)
Up next: vs. No. 13 Hinsdale Central (8A).
5. Phillips 10-0 (5)
Up next: at Solorio (5A).
6. Glenbard West 9-1 (6)
Up next: vs. No. 16 Oswego (8A).
7. Marist 10-0 (7)
Up next: at Curie (8A).
8. Homewood-Flossmoor 9-1 (8)
Up next: vs. No. 11 Naperville Central (8A).
9. Lake Zurich 10-0 (9)
Up next: vs. Plainfield North (7A).
10. Barrington 10-0 (10)
Up next: vs. Minooka (8A).
11. Naperville Central 8-2 (12)
Up next: at No. 8 Homewood-Flossmoor (8A).
12. St. Charles North 9-1 (13)
Up next: vs. No. 20 St. Rita (7A).
13. Hinsdale Central 8-2 (14)
Up next: at No. 4 Loyola (8A).
14. Batavia 9-1 (15)
Up next: vs. No. 15 Wheaton North (7A).
15. Wheaton North 8-2 (16)
Up next: at No. 14 Batavia (7A).
16. Oswego 9-1 (NR)
Up next: at No. 6 Glenbard West (8A).
17. Nazareth 9-1 (17)
Up next: vs. Danville (6A).
18. St. Charles East 8-2 (NR)
Up next: at No. 1 Lincoln-Way East (8A).
19. Lincoln-Way Central 9-1 (NR)
Up next: at Hersey (7A).
20. St. Rita 8-2 (NR)
Up next: at No. 12 St. Charles North (7A).
