Mar 31, 2015 5 min read

Nate Swart felt comfortable the moment he stepped foot on the University of Toledo’s main campus. From the football program’s top facilities to the young, energetic coaching staff, he felt at home.

Swart, a junior tight end at Washington High School, attended Toledo’s Junior Day Feb. 27, touring the academic buildings and football practice facilities before meeting the coaches. Rockets head coach Matt Campbell called Swart into his office to offer him a full scholarship.

Bowling Green and Kent State began to show increased interest over the past weeks, but the Observer-Reporter Elite selection had his mind made up. He visited Northwest Ohio last weekend then committed to Toledo for 2016.

The 6-5, 235-pound tight end-defensive end was dominant on both sides of the ball. He ranked second on the Prexies in three receiving categories with 18 catches, 358 yards and four touchdowns. Swart also had 31 tackles, including 10 ½ for a loss and 3 ½ sacks.

“Everything about it since I was offered the scholarship, I’ve gotten really close to the coaches and I’ve been in contact with them,” Swart said. “It was probably the best day of my life. Whenever I went up last weekend, it really clicked for me. They took me through the education building, and it wasn’t just all about football.”

When Swart first spoke with Toledo offensive coordinator Jason Candle, the Rockets’ assistant coach listed the team’s accomplishments on offense. The perennial MAC title contender averaged 36.6 points and 490.5 yards per game.

Toledo defeated Arkansas State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl, 63-44, and won nine games. The two then discussed Swart’s role, and his eyes lit up. Toledo plans to keep Swart at tight end in its spread, pass-happy offense.

Wash High head coach Mike Bosnic sees it as a perfect union.

“Toledo has a great program, and they are kind of an up-and-coming program,” Bosnic said. “I really think the future is bright there and I think he’s really a good fit there. They’re excited about him. The fact that they have pursued him so heavily and really feel he’s the type of player that can fit in their system is really important, too.”

Ever since he began playing football, Swart’s goal was to receive a Division I scholarship. When he joined the Prexies as a freshman, Bosnic saw unlimited potential for the underclassman, but Swart’s first two seasons at Wash High were spent learning the game and developing into his frame. Hours spent last summer training for the 2014 season paid off in a big way.

Swart’s touchdown catch against Apollo-Ridge in the WPIAL Class AA quarterfinals shifted momentum for the Prexies. Though Wash High lost to Aliquippa in the semifinals, Swart shined, recording four pancake tackles and giving the Quips’ offensive line problems.

With his size, athleticism and versatility, Swart is excited for the possibilities that exist at Toledo.

“If you watch me play, you know I can line up in a three-point and take on defensive ends or linebackers, but I can line up in the slot and take on outside linebackers,” Swart said. “They feel I’m a good fit there and it just feels right to me.”

Szakal picks W&J

Ringgold senior defensive end Aaron Szakal, a first team All-Big Nine Conference selection last fall, will play football at Washington & Jefferson.

A prolific pass rusher and stout against the run, Szakal led the conference with 6.5 sacks as a senior. The 6-0, 255-pound lineman had 66 tackles, including seven for loss, and returned a fumble 30 yards for a touchdown Oct. 10 to give the Rams an early lead over Laurel Highlands.

“I’m excited. I liked being close to home and being a part of something great with a good coaching staff,” Szakal said of his decision to pick W&J over Waynesburg and Thiel. “It’s a great team that’s bound to win. W&J has great academics and that really stood out.”

Szakal will join Eric Higgs, Ringgold’s starting center a year, with the defending PAC Champions next fall and plans to major in business management.

PIAA meeting

The PIAA Board of Directors met March 19 and adjusted the heat acclimation for high school football. On its third reading, the board approved the recommendation by the Football Steering Committee to increase the heat acclimatization program from three consecutive days to a five-day period with a minimum of three consecutive days and allow all high schools participating in football begin the program no earlier than Monday, Aug. 10.

The board also approved a request to terminate a cooperative sponsorship for middle school football between Avella Junior High School and Burgettstown Middle School, effective immediately.

According to Burgettstown High School athletic director Terry Havelka, Avella is starting its own seventh and eighth grade football team, which will play a Tri-CADA middle school schedule next fall.

Soccer players choose schools

South Fayette senior midfielder Nick McKee, who led the Lions to the PIAA Class AA semifinals last fall, will continue his playing career at Penn State Behrend.

McKee was chosen to the Pennsylvania Soccer Association’s all-state team after helping South Fayette reach the WPIAL semifinals and was a key cog in the Lions defense, which recorded two shutouts in the PIAA playoffs.

• McGuffey senior Luke Desmond, a three-time all-section pick, will join West Virginia Wesleyan’s soccer program next fall.

The Highlanders’ captain was named the defensive MVP of a team that finished with a 9-8 overall record and had five shutouts. West Virginia Wesleyan competes in NCAA Division II’s Mountain East Conference and reached the conference semifinals in 2014.