Swain, Lantz Named Offensive Players Of The Year
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - Come August, for the first time in a long time, Jordan Swain won't be taking a handoff from Kory Lantz. The most prolific one-two punch in Northern Indiana football will be going their separate ways when the two Wawasee seniors matriculate on their respective college campuses next fall.
"We've been playing together since third grade," said Swain. "We've been in the same backfield for a long time. We've lost together and won together. If there was one other person I'd want to have the ball, it'd be Kory."
Lantz, a two-sport athlete in both football and basketball, recently signed a letter of intent to Bethel College to play hoops.
"We know each other inside and out," said Lantz. "We talk a lot. There isn't anyone else I'd want back there. I have so much confidence in him."
Swain, a four-year starter for the Warriors, is being actively recruited by several D-1 schools after a breakthrough season in which he led the state in rushing with more than 2,600 yards.
The dynamic duo if not best friends outside the sports world are kindred spirits on the field.
They will be synonymous for as long as Wawasee fans tell stories of their exploits, whether it was last season's near comeback against East Noble in the sectional championship or this year's 49-19 drubbing of Logansport in the semistate final.
Or in the sectional championship, when Swain was bent back on an onsides kick attempt by Plymouth and was forced off the field for the rest of the game.
Waiting on the sideline for Swain was Lantz.
Unconcerned with the game's waning minutes, Lantz kept his eyes affixed to the running back he'd had since third grade.
"I was just praying to God that he would bless him for the time he put in this summer and that he would not have an injury like this to end his senior year," said Lantz after the Plymouth game.
Somebody was listening.
The very next week against Lowell in the regional championship, Swain took a hit and felt a pop. The hit left the normally shifty Swain stiff and barely upright. The next morning something very strange happened.
"I woke up the next morning and I was fine. It was like a miracle," said Swain of the incident.
The legend was growing.
The Logansport game was more of a formality than anything.
And while this duo didn't have the storybook ending it desired with a 35-10 state finals loss to a juggernaut in Roncalli, not all was lost.
Lantz and Swain combined for more than 10,000 career yards of offense through the air and ground
That sort of mileage would give UPS a run for its money.
In Warrior country the unofficial question was, "What can Swain and Lantz do for you?"
Along the way from summer training camp to the RCA Dome in Indianpolis, Swain and Lantz were humbled by the attention they garnered.
Always quick to thank their coaches or their offensive line, the duo garnered respect from teammates and opponents alike.
Defenses schemed and shifted to shut down either Swain or Lantz, but never both.
The media took note as well. From Bloomington to South Bend, the duo was recognized whether it be with all-state nods or conference nods.
Count the Times-Union Co-Offensive Players of the year award as just another item to add to the duo's already crowded football resume. [[In-content Ad]]
SYRACUSE - Come August, for the first time in a long time, Jordan Swain won't be taking a handoff from Kory Lantz. The most prolific one-two punch in Northern Indiana football will be going their separate ways when the two Wawasee seniors matriculate on their respective college campuses next fall.
"We've been playing together since third grade," said Swain. "We've been in the same backfield for a long time. We've lost together and won together. If there was one other person I'd want to have the ball, it'd be Kory."
Lantz, a two-sport athlete in both football and basketball, recently signed a letter of intent to Bethel College to play hoops.
"We know each other inside and out," said Lantz. "We talk a lot. There isn't anyone else I'd want back there. I have so much confidence in him."
Swain, a four-year starter for the Warriors, is being actively recruited by several D-1 schools after a breakthrough season in which he led the state in rushing with more than 2,600 yards.
The dynamic duo if not best friends outside the sports world are kindred spirits on the field.
They will be synonymous for as long as Wawasee fans tell stories of their exploits, whether it was last season's near comeback against East Noble in the sectional championship or this year's 49-19 drubbing of Logansport in the semistate final.
Or in the sectional championship, when Swain was bent back on an onsides kick attempt by Plymouth and was forced off the field for the rest of the game.
Waiting on the sideline for Swain was Lantz.
Unconcerned with the game's waning minutes, Lantz kept his eyes affixed to the running back he'd had since third grade.
"I was just praying to God that he would bless him for the time he put in this summer and that he would not have an injury like this to end his senior year," said Lantz after the Plymouth game.
Somebody was listening.
The very next week against Lowell in the regional championship, Swain took a hit and felt a pop. The hit left the normally shifty Swain stiff and barely upright. The next morning something very strange happened.
"I woke up the next morning and I was fine. It was like a miracle," said Swain of the incident.
The legend was growing.
The Logansport game was more of a formality than anything.
And while this duo didn't have the storybook ending it desired with a 35-10 state finals loss to a juggernaut in Roncalli, not all was lost.
Lantz and Swain combined for more than 10,000 career yards of offense through the air and ground
That sort of mileage would give UPS a run for its money.
In Warrior country the unofficial question was, "What can Swain and Lantz do for you?"
Along the way from summer training camp to the RCA Dome in Indianpolis, Swain and Lantz were humbled by the attention they garnered.
Always quick to thank their coaches or their offensive line, the duo garnered respect from teammates and opponents alike.
Defenses schemed and shifted to shut down either Swain or Lantz, but never both.
The media took note as well. From Bloomington to South Bend, the duo was recognized whether it be with all-state nods or conference nods.
Count the Times-Union Co-Offensive Players of the year award as just another item to add to the duo's already crowded football resume. [[In-content Ad]]