Thursday, November 29, 2018
Girard assistant coach is big part of ...
By Dan Hiner
Girard quarterback Mark Waid’s game-day routine has been the same since he was a freshman.
Every game, Waid warms up with a game of catch with assistant coach Bill Swertfager.
Similar to a wide receiver, Swertfager and Waid have developed a connection over the years, thanks in part to Waid’s superstition.
“[Swertfager] is part of the family,” Waid said. “There’s no better feeling than playing catch with him before the games. It brings my nerves down, it calms me. It’s been good luck ever since.”
The two have never deviated from their tradition. Regardless of how the team played in the last week, Waid turns to Swertfager to start anew. The future Fordham quarterback won’t break the tradition heading into the Indians’ Division IV state final on Saturday.
Swertfager has been more than a coach to Waid. He’s been someone the Indians quarterback can turn to on and off the field.
“Through my ups and my downs and my struggles, he’s always been there for me as a role model,” Waid said. “Anything I need, he’s always a shoulder to lean on. He’s always picked me up, always been there for me.
“There’s no other words to explain it. No matter what’s going on, he’s always someone I can go to and talk to no matter what the scenario is. It’s really emotional and really inspiring to have somebody like that in your life.”
Swertfager doesn’t have an assigned position with the team. He said the team has given him the opportunity to help and “run around the field.”
“It’s coach Swertfager,” Waid said. “He helps with everything. He’s been around the game, he knows the ins and outs and he’s a guy that you can go to for any advice that you need.”
Nick Cochran, Girard athletic director and former head coach, brought him on to his staff for the 2010 season. Eventually, current Girard head coach Pat Pearson allowed him to continue on the staff and help where he can.
“Whatever they needed me to do, I was there to do it,” Swertfager said. “That’s pretty much what I do now.”
The Indians assistant helps coach several groups, but is know at Girard for warming up quarterbacks.
Swertfager’s game day begins around 5 p.m. He catches a few passes from Cochran, who’s still on staff as the quarterbacks coach, and eventually begins working with Waid shortly after.
“He’s someone that you can’t help but look up to with how hard he works and has worked,” Waid said. “He’s an amazing person and I’m truly blessed to call him a part of my family.”
A game of catch might seem simple, but no one can deny the results.
Over the last four years, Waid has thrown for 11,464 passing yards and 115 touchdowns while on his way to the state record books. The Indians’ signal caller is currently fourth in career passing yards in Ohio history and is tied for eighth in career passing touchdowns.
This season, Waid has thrown for 4,182 yards and 47 scores. He’s second in the nation in total yards and has taken home almost every award available to him.
He was named first-team All-Ohio, Northeast Inland District Player of the Year and the Trumbull County Coaches Association Player of the Year.
Waid’s performance on the field has the Indians in their first football state final. Girard is looking to become the first area public school to win a football state championship since Poland in 1999.
“This is what we dreamed about growing up. This is what you work for,” Waid said. “It isn’t going to happen overnight. Nothing is given, it’s definitely earned.
“Me and my brothers have put in time during the offseason — countless hours, days and weeks we spent dedicating our bodies — for this moment. And now that it’s here, we just gotta take it by the horns and just go get it.”
According to Swertfager, Waid impressed members of the staff as an eigth grader. After finally getting an opportunity, Cochran helped groom him into one of the top passers in the state.
“As time went on, I think all the other kids realized [Waid at quarterback] was how they were gonna get it done right there,” Swertfager said.
The long-time Indians assistant tried to retire following last season, but Pearson wouldn’t let him ride off into the sunset with Waid’s senior season approaching.
Swertfager agreed to return for another season, but he’s came back to see the end of Waid’s time as an Indian.
With the final game of Waid’s high school career approaching, Swertfager knows it’ll be the last time he catches passes from Waid. And the warmup prior to their title game with Cincinnati Wyoming will be emotional.
“You go four years with a kid, they’re looking for ya,” Swertfager said. “They’re counting on you to have the game ball, to be waiting for ya. It’s gonna be an emotional last day. Hopefully it’ll be all good tears.”