Summer Outlook: Swansea Tigers
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SWANSEA | Nine years have passed since Swansea won its last region title under current Gilbert head coach Chad Leaphart. In that time, the program has had three head coaches (one interim) and won just one playoff game. It’s been…
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Continue ReadingSWANSEA | Nine years have passed since Swansea won its last region title under current Gilbert head coach Chad Leaphart.
In that time, the program has had three head coaches (one interim) and won just one playoff game.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
Right tackle Landen Lee is one of two returning senior starters on the entire roster.
Joining Lee on the offensive line are junior Kasiah Harkless-Adams and sophomore Charles Moody. All three are expected to see time on the defensive line.
Youth is prevalent throughout the roster along with position changes. Both can be found at running back where junior Teysean Charley has moved over from defensive end to form a backfield with sophomore Dante Caldwell Dante Caldwell 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Swansea | 2026 State SC .
Wilder believes Charley, as well as former defensive end turned outside linebacker
William Geddis
William
Geddis
5'10" | 190 lbs | LB
Swansea | 2026
SC
, played out of position last year and will benefit from the change.
Having grown five inches since his freshman year, junior Jacob Harper (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 DJ Green, a player Wilder describes as his team’s “Swiss Army Knife”.
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.
Special teams are an area the Tigers expect to get a boost from its other returning senior. Placekicker Ishmael Martinez is a 3-year starter in soccer whose leg and accuracy will help provide points in the field goal department.
Swansea opens the 2023 season with three of its first four games on the road. The Tigers open Aug. 18 at home against Airport.
![Landon Lee](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/IMG_20230614_113210875_HDR-crop-3725x2446-1687022904-crop-519x341-1687023561.jpg)
Landon Lee
Landon Lee
- t
- A 4-year letterman and lone returning offensive starter on the team
- At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, is able to match up with bigger defensive linemen
- Has shown improvement in his pass blocking
- Is an unquestioned leader on the offensive line who has a strong rapport with the quarterback
- Shows good speed and is able to read defenders at the line of scrimmage
![DJ Green](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/IMG_20230614_110908904_HDR-crop-3725x2446-1687024362-crop-599x393-1687024380.jpg)
DJ Green
DJ Green
- t
- The team’s MVP in terms of the ability he brings both on offense and defense
- A 3-year letterman who can be utilized at wide receiver and running back on offense and safety and cornerback on defense
- A hard worker in the weight room and on the field. He currently bench presses 200 pounds and squats 410 pounds
- Strong upper body strength and possesses a long reach
![Charles Moody](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/IMG_20230614_112509836_HDR-crop-3725x2446-1687023491-crop-595x391-1687023525.jpg)
Charles Moody
Charles Moody
- t
- A 2-year letterman with experience and knowledge of all offensive positions
- Currently a starting center and also sees action at nose guard on defense
- Has a quick burst off the snap and keeps a low center of gravity to upend taller defenders
- Squats 385 pounds and has strong lower body strength
![<span class="pn-tooltip pn-player-link">
<span class="name-pointer">Summer Outlook: Swansea Tigers</span>
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<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/summer-outlook-swansea-tigers/" class="link-wrap">
<span class="player-img"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/IMG_20230614_110642668-crop-1118x734-1687022658.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="Summer Outlook: Swansea Tigers"></span>
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William Geddis
William
Geddis
5'10" | 190 lbs | LB
Swansea | 2026
SC
William Geddis
William
Geddis
5'10" | 190 lbs | LB
Swansea | 2026
SC
- t
- An aggressive player who should thrive at outside linebacker after playing defensive end last season
- A team player willing to take on challenging assignments and a loud verbal communicator
- Runs a 4.9 in the 40-yard dash
- Has a quick burst off the line of scrimmage and will benefit from starting upright rather than a 3-point stance
![Teysean Charley](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/IMG_20230614_111438866_HDR-crop-3725x2446-1687024694-crop-468x308-1687024717.jpg)
Teysean Charley
Teysean Charley
- t
- The Tigers are counting on the 3-year letterman to provide speed and power to the position after playing defensive end last year
- A power-runner with 4.7 speed who squats 455 pounds and bench presses 250 pounds
- Possesses large hands and is capable of receiving out of the backfield
![Kasiah Harkness-Adams](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/IMG_20230614_111719351_HDR-crop-3725x2446-1687025005-e1687025032864.jpg)
Kasiah Harkness-Adams
Kasiah Harkness-Adams
- t
- Was inactive last season
- Believes in dominating his position and overpowering those in front of him with technique and brute strength
- At 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds can play various positions on the defensive line
- Gets perturbed when he misses a tackle. Stays low to the ground for effectiveness
- Strongest player on the team, according to head coach Brent Wilder. He benches 350 pounds and squats 440 pounds
![Jacob Harper](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/IMG_20230614_112916136_HDR-crop-3725x2446-1687025395-e1687025415121.jpg)
Jacob Harper
Jacob Harper
- t
- A 3-year letter who has grown five inches since his freshman year
- Has a fast release and is more comfortable throwing from the pocket. Wants to better use his running ability
- Completed 60% of his passes last season
- Is a quick reader of defenses
![<span class="pn-tooltip pn-player-link">
<span class="name-pointer">Summer Outlook: Swansea Tigers</span>
<span class="info-box not-prose" style="background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(193,25,32, 0.95) 0%,rgba(193,25,32, 1) 100%)">
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Dante Caldwell Dante Caldwell 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Swansea | 2026 State SC
Dante Caldwell Dante Caldwell 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Swansea | 2026 State SC
- t
- Looking to play his first season on the varsity level
- Shows versatility running and catching out of the backfield
- An elusive runner who is difficult to tackle individually and can break a long run with an opening
- Capable of route running when lined up at wide receiver