Nate Swaney keeps Rochester football chugging along in playoff win over Waterloo
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WATERLOO0 — Rochester football coach Derek Leonard often reiterates that big time players make big plays in big situations.
Junior receiver Nate Swaney became the latest example in a 55-21 win over No. 11 seed Waterloo in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs on Friday, Nov. 7.
The No. 3 Rockets advance to the quarterfinals against Saturday’s winner between No. 2 Carterville and No. 11 Sacred Heart-Griffin. Rochester (10-1) ended the regular season with a 31-28 win over rival SHG at Ken Leonard Field.
Swaney might represent the Julian Edelman mold as slot receiver, but he can contribute in endless ways.
“He’s Mr. Everything,” Leonard said. “He does returns for us. Him and Khorbin (Gregory) do a great job in the return game. He plays safety, he plays receiver, he can play a little running back. We’ll maybe try him at quarterback a little next week.”
Well, maybe pump the brakes on that last part.
Swaney mopped up six catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for another score.
Swaney nabbed the biggest highlight reel with a 44-yard TD catch with just four seconds left in the first half that irreversibly changed the tide in Rochester’s favor.
He secured senior quarterback Tanner Beal’s heave just as he was falling into the end zone for a 28-14 halftime lead after the Bulldogs (7-4) knotted the game just a few minutes earlier.
“It was just a great play by Nate,” Beal said. “I put it up there to try to give him a chance. I know he’s a great player and he made a great play.”
Rochester’s defense subsequently slammed the door shut. It allowed just two first downs until Waterloo’s final possession.
Beal and JP Leonard combined to throw 12 of 16 for 215 yards. Gregory and Evrim Tabag chipped in two scoring runs.
Waterloo’s Derez Sayles ran for 119 yards and a TD.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Nate Swaney, Rochester football advance past Waterloo to 4A quarters
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