Summer Outlook: Swansea Tigers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SWANSEA |</strong> Nine years have passed since Swansea won its last region title under current Gilbert head coach Chad Leaphart.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In that time, the program has had three head coaches (one interim) and won just one playoff game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been an especially difficult time the past three years for head coach Brent Wilder. From the negative effects of COVID-19 to the available roster to going winless in Region V-3A, the Tigers have faced an uphill battle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adding to Swansea's own difficulties was witnessing a region dominated at the top by Gilbert and Brookland-Cayce now including an improved Lower Richland program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We play in a tough region, probably one of the toughest in any classification in the state,” Wilder said. “So, it's just to know the physical toll it's going to take on them and having to be able to do that and instill confidence in them.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers opened last year 3-1 prior to losing their final six games, five in region play. If the Tigers are to break into at least the fourth playoff position out of Region 5-3A, it will do so with a very young roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right tackle <strong>Landen Lee </strong>is one of two returning senior starters on the entire roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joining Lee on the offensive line are junior <strong>Kasiah Harkless-Adams</strong> and sophomore <strong>Charles Moody</strong>. All three are expected to see time on the defensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Youth is prevalent throughout the roster along with position changes. Both can be found at running back where junior <strong>Teysean Charley </strong>has moved over from defensive end to form a backfield with sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267270' first='Dante' last='Caldwell']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilder believes Charley, as well as former defensive end turned outside linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756588' first='William' last='Geddis']</strong>, played out of position last year and will benefit from the change.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having grown five inches since his freshman year, junior <strong>Jacob Harper</strong> (6-foot-4, 175 pounds) returns at quarterback. He completed 60 percent of his passes last season and his main target is expected to be senior <strong>DJ Green</strong>, a player Wilder describes as his team's “Swiss Army Knife”.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for Swansea to target Green continuously on offense at wide receiver and running back as well as lean on his defensive skills at safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Special teams are an area the Tigers expect to get a boost from its other returning senior. Placekicker <strong>Ishmael Martinez</strong> is a 3-year starter in soccer whose leg and accuracy will help provide points in the field goal department.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swansea opens the 2023 season with three of its first four games on the road. 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