Swann the center of attention
Senior center a key part of Saratoga Springs’ undefeated start
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Senior Demitri Swann is the starting center for Saratoga Springs high school this season. He is a two year starter and is a leader on an offensive line that is key to the Saratoga run game that has lead them to an undefeated start and the No. 1 seed in the Empire Division.
Swann has played football since he was young.
I have played since six,” Swann said. “My dad coached me as a young kid and now I have made it up to the higher levels of high school football. My motto is to work every day in practice and get better because if you don’t you are going to stay status quo and if you stay status quo, we could have a season like we did last year, not start 6-0 like we have now and I am excited to see what we can do with this team. I think we have a very exciting team, a very tight bond and me growing as a player and taking the leadership role, helps my offensive line do what they need to do to get the job done.”
The team this season is a tight knit group, who works together to reach their goals.
Swann said the team is a group of friends that want to strive together.
“It is almost like every player is the best friends,” Swann said. “When you walk in the classroom on the first day of school, you don’t know who is in your class and you see it is one of your teammates you
have been working with you and grinding with you all summer and you get excited knowing that you get to share the time, even in the classroom with them. I think we have a tight bond. Everyone clicks, no one is excluded, everyone will fight for each other and we will go to war for each other.”
The offense of Saratoga relies on the run game. That is made possible by their strong offensive line opening holes in the defense. It also gives quarterback Wes Eglintine has time to make plays and the running backs can find wholes and make long runs down the field.
Swann said as the center leads the offense with the quarterback.
“As a center I always establish that bond with the quarterback, so he knows when the play is going, where the snap is going and everything,” Swann said. “I try to establish that bond and get as many snaps as I can with my quarterback. Keeping the O line organized is the most important part because when we keep the O line organized that is when score and we are doing that a lot so, I am excited.”
Swann is also the leader of the offensive line and is the one who can see what the entire field, both his offense and the opponent’s defense, are doing.
“As a center, you have to know what everyone is doing on every play, so that is why I like to watch a lot of film, break down all the defenses, know where everyone is going, so I can direct everyone and also worry about myself at the same time,” Swann said. “As I am directing people, we are doing that right things, we are clicking, and that means the running backs are getting right through. “
Last season, Saratoga won only one regular season game and had to fight through injuries the entire season. This season, the team is one of the strongest teams in the Empire Division, having gone undefeated in the division and clinching the division September 29 with a win against Ballston Spa.
Swann said this season is completely different then the last and the team are strong as a unit.
“It is a whole different perspective this year then it was last year,” Swann said. “Last year, we had a couple of injuries, it was a tough season, but this year, we come out, we are winning, the O line is working together, we all have a tight chemistry, a tight bond and when we come out here and work every day together it makes us stronger as a unit. I feel we are stronger this year then we were last year as a unit, which makes everything easier up front and being able to take that leadership and help my linemen do what they need to do is a big role for me and I embrace it.”
Swann is in his last season with the Blue Streaks and is looking into what may come next. He is hoping to continue is career in college and be a strong student at the same time.
“I think I can go to the next level,” Swann said. “I am pursuing college football and I also want to study biochemistry and premedical studies, but I am looking forward to play college football and hope I get a chance and an opportunity to continue my football career because I definitely don’t want this to be it.”