Junior defensive end Ethan Pilip, a converted running back, piles up big plays for Oswego. ‘Found his home.’

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Change can be good. Just ask Oswego junior Ethan Pilip.

During the summer, as an incoming first-year varsity player, Pilip felt he had to figure out the best way for him to contribute to the program’s success.

The simple answer?

Find a spot on the field where he would receive playing time and that would allow him to make an impact. Sometimes, however, that’s easier said than done.

“I knew they were going to have three backs already,” Pilip said. “And I wondered if I really would get playing time. It was rough because I thought I wasn’t going to be playing as much.”

The 6-foot, 185-pound Pilip, who started playing football at age 6 in the Oswego Youth Tackle Football League, always thought running back was his spot.

He had played there the most growing up, with turns on defense every now and then, usually on the line. His first two years of high school football, he played mostly running back for the Panthers on the freshman and sophomore levels.

Looking at the position at the varsity level, though, Pilip saw a crowd. And he soon learned from Oswego coach Brian Cooney that he wasn’t alone.

“During the summer, he told me the offensive and defensive coaches were fighting over where I should go,” Pilip said.

Coaches don’t want players with potential sitting on the bench if they can contribute.

“Basically, he gave me the option,” said Pilip, who moved to defense, starting at strong-side linebacker, then moving to defensive end in summer workouts.

As the start of fall camp approached, Pilip understood one thing about the position.

“Undersized? I am for sure,” he said. “But it wasn’t like I was going in there blind. I had played it some previously, but it was still somewhat new.”

Fast forward to Oswego’s 45-10 second-round playoff win over Lane Tech at Lane Stadium in Chicago that sent the Panthers to the Class 8A quarterfinals for the 10th time in program history.

Oswego (9-2) will play at 1 p.m. Saturday at Maine South (10-1), a program with a rich postseason tradition.

Pilip has found his spot, totaling seven tackles Saturday, with three for loss and a sack. He also broke through the line and partially blocked a punt, helping set up a key third-quarter touchdown.

“Last year, Ethan played a significant amount of running back,” Cooney said. “At the start of fall camp he asked, ‘Where do you want me to go?’ We said, “Stick with defense now. It will make you tougher, and if we need you on offense, we’ll slide you over.’

“We haven’t needed him on offense. He has found his home where he’s at.”

He may not have the size and strength to make the bull rush his strong suit at the position, but Pilip has the necessary first-step quickness to create havoc for offensive linemen.

Pilip didn’t start but played in the team’s rotation for the season opener. Fellow junior Danny Claycombe, a 6-3, 185-pound defensive end, was hurt in that game and missed three games.

That gave Pilip the nod.

He stepped up and has been starting ever since, seeing plenty of time in a three-player rotation at the position that also includes 6-2, 200-pound senior Tristan Thomas.

Pilip leads the defensive ends with 37 tackles. He’s tied with senior linebacker Conor Tully for the team lead with eight tackles for loss and with senior defensive tackle Gianni Casurella for the team lead in sacks with three apiece. Pilip also has two interceptions.

“That first start I had in the second game, I just knew people were counting on me,” Philip said. “I went out and tried to do the best I can. My main goal is getting to the quarterback.

“This offseason, I’m definitely going to put on some weight.”

He won’t be worried about his spot, however.

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