Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week: Washington’s Zack Swartz
Name: Zack Swartz
School: Washington
Sport: Football
Class: Sophomore
Swartz’s week: Swartz completed 9 of 10 passes for 258 yards and four touchdowns in little more than a half as Washington made quick work of East Allegheny with a 54-7 win in a WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal game Friday at Elizabeth Forward.
The win advanced the Prexies to the semifinals for the fourth time since 2012. They will play Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Moon High School.
“We’ve been talking from the beginning about games like this,” Swartz said about the playoffs. “But it’s important for us to continue with the approach of taking it game-by-game. Hopefully, that will get us as far as we can go.”
Swartz, who is only in his first year as Washington’s starting quarterback, has completed 82 of his 133 passes for 1,737 yards and 25 touchdowns.
In eight of the Prexies’ 11 games, they have produced at least 200 rushing yards and Swartz has passed for more than 100 yards.
“I love it,” Swartz said about the Prexies’ offense opening up as the season progressed.
“Our success this year is a really good statement of how our balanced offense works.”
Swartz’s supporting cast: Quick to say that those around him have been the biggest factor for his success, Swartz leads an offense that averages more than 45 points per game.
“Week by week, my guys help me out,” Swartz said. “Having Isaiah (Schoonmaker) and Dan (Walker) outside makes it a lot easier. My offensive line helps my confidence because I’m not getting hit or knocked down every single play.”
Swartz saw limited snaps at quarterback last season behind then-senior quarterback Connor Bedillion, but he still had varsity experience by playing elsewhere in Washington’s offense.
“His confidence has gotten better and better every week,” said Washington head coach Mike Bosnic. “I think he continues to get more confidence with each game.”
Standing behind one of, if not the biggest, offensive line in Class 2A isn’t a problem for the 6-3, 200-pound Swartz, who admits his size helps him see wide receivers much easier.
“We have mammoths on the line. I have to be able to see over them. That’s part of being a quarterback,” Swartz said. “Height helps but it comes down to being a quarterback at the end of the day.”