Army Strong Scholar Athlete of the Month: Bryan Schweitzer

High School: Babylon High School

Year: Senior

Fall Sport: Varsity Football

Position: Running Back

To say last month was an eventful one for Babylon’s Bryan Schweitzer would be a huge understatement. First, on November 22, the Panthers’ senior running back scored two touchdowns to help his team pull off a 13-7 upset win over top-seeded and previously undefeated Glenn in the county championship game. He kicked off the scoring with an 18-yard run early in the second quarter to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead, and later broke a 53-yard TD run with 3:27 left in the fourth quarter to break a tie and provide his team with the final 13-7 margin.

The next week he found himself in the Long Island championship game against an undefeated Seaford team who seemed unstoppable all season, but a week before the game he suffered a traumatic event that would sideline even the fiercest competitor. Schweitzer needed seven staples to close what police described as a two-inch laceration in his head after allegedly being the victim of an assault. After receiving medical clearance to play and having a few of the staples removed, he was ready to roll when the Panthers took the field at Stony Brook University’s LaValle Stadium for the Long Island championship on November 29. Once again Schweitzer led his team in rushing, gaining a modest 35 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. He also picked off Seaford QB Chris Rigoli and took it 31 yards for the score with 6:40 left in the third quarter to help Babylon to a 35-28 win and its first Long Island championship since 2003. Babylon has reached the Suffolk championship game 13 years in a row, winning eight, and has won four Long Island titles.

“Bryan is one of the fiercest competitors I’ve ever coached,” said Babylon head coach Rick Punzone. “He plays and practices like every play as if it was his last, and I knew that nothing was going to keep him from playing in that Long Island championship game.”

Schweitzer, who missed the first four games of the season due to an enlarged spleen, came back in a League IV matchup against Southampton. The first time he touched the ball on the opening kickoff, Schweitzer took it to the house for a touchdown. He finished his senior season with 808 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns and also led the team in tackles.

“He brings so much versatility to our running game,” Punzone said. “Not only can he beat you with speed and agility, but he’s got great field vision and is a very powerful runner. He’s the total package.”