Opportunity knocks for PN-G’s Swann

By TOM HALLIBURTON

Port Arthur News Sports Writer

PORT NECHES — Keegan Swann’s opportunity knocked just about every time Lincoln’s passing game headed in his direction during last Friday’s first quarter.

The Bees will be more careful next time to navigate differently. Two interceptions and 74 return yards later, the 16-year-old son of Charles and Stacy Swann had emerged from an obscure member of the Port Neches-Groves defense to the purple-and-white spotlight.

The latest Indians’ hero expected to become a star one day, but his dreams in Port Neches Middle School always contained an offensive scenario.

Swann never played defense before this season unless you count a summer-time feet-wetting experience at 7 on 7.

“It’s not the real game but it helped out a lot,” he said. “It helped me to read the quarterback and the receivers’ routes.”

The 6-0, 185-pound Swann played quarterback and tailback in middle school. He never anticipated the chance to start at cornerback.

Once again, opportunity knocked and Keegan answered. The Indians had to replace a pair of senior corners Thomas Baxter and Jeremy Neeb from the 1999 4A Division II state finalist squad.

“That was a surprise but I did what was best for the team,” he said.

The longer Swann has adjusted to defense, the easier he has adapted to it. Good coaching, hard work, proper technique and preparation has turned into a winning prescription.

PN-G’s defensive chiefs, head coach Matt Burnett, defensive coordinator Ken Cummings and wise tutors Terry Cobb and George Pachuca are not brain surgeons. But they do put their defenders in the best position to win.

PN-G knew it could not put Swann’s 4.7 speed on Lincoln sprinters like Ricky Wilson, Graylon Proctor, or Daniel Francis. The Tribe had to play a zone, and needed to blitz linebackers from time to time. That’s business as usual at PN-G where speed often becomes a rare commodity.

“We stayed in a zone all night so we didn’t have to chase ’em around,” Swann said after the 20-14 victory over Lincoln. “Our secondary doesn’t have blazing speed. The zone is easier to play on everybody else. That’s what we do best.”

While the Lincoln game earned Swann his most notoriety, it didn’t necessarily mean that it was his best game. Keegan admitted it turned into a combination of being good and lucky. For on both of his interceptions, video revealed Swann to be in the right place at the right time.

Lincoln QB Calvin Roberts operated from PN-G’s 19-yard line on the Bees’ second series. Rushed from the side by tackle Jeremy Davis, Roberts tossed a pass to Swann about two yards deep in the end zone. Swann merely took it and ran 54 yards to Lincoln’s 46.

Later in the first quarter, backup Lincoln QB Kenneth Vaughn overthrew his receiver. Playing at the back of a deep zone, Swann made the catch at PN-G’s 6 and took it 20 yards. The Indians’ junior corner effectively had blunted two of Lincoln’s golden opportunities early in the game.

“We’re proud that Keegan has become the player we projected him to be,” Indians’ chief Burnett said. “He’s steadily improved. We projected him to be an impact player and he’s lived up to our expectations.

“Keegan made an interception that gave us a huge momentum change. He took it a step further and cut across the grain with it. We had a void to fill after last season at our corners and he’s progressed every week.”

The most difficult part of playing corner in PN-G’s zone revolves around the split-second decision-making that a player makes between whether or not to play the run and quit covering for the pass. That’s why it’s difficult to be as successful at a secondary position overnight.

That part of the job is why Swann sincerely gives credit to those defensive coaches. He’s not just talking that way to butter them up.

“We’re coached so good,” he said. “Our coaching staff helps out a lot. It helps me to notice stuff and improve each week. You learn to read the quarterback and his eyes.

“I was kinda nervous at the beginning of the year but I think I’ve done better,” he said. “At the beginning of the week, it can be a lot of work but it pays off.”

Obviously the work is starting to pay for Keegan Swann.

INDIAN INKLINGS

Senior quarterback Tony Bowser will receive his season’s second start Friday night when PN-G will go to Little Cypress-Mauriceville. “Bowser did a great job and made some things happen for us in the second half,” Indians’ head coach Matt Burnett said. …. Junior Kirk Hallmark will not start but will work both at quarterback and wide receiver. Hallmark sustained a knee bruise in the first half against Lincoln but was listed as probable for LC-M…. Tackle leaders against Lincoln were senior DE Justin Mercer (8 first contacts, 2 assists and 2 sacks), OLB Adam LeDoux (6 and 5), CB Keegan Swann (5 and 1 with two interceptions), ILB Cody Clark (6 and 4), and ILB Trayce Boudoin (4 and 4 and 1 sack)…..