Even though Mitch Schermerhorn stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 160 pounds, his football coach at Glenbrook North said he could play on the offensive line.
“He’s one of our smarter players, and he knows our blocking schemes,” Bob Pieper said. “If I threw him in there, he would have no problem.”
As it is, Schermerhorn does enough for the Spartans (2-0). Schermerhorn is a receiver and linebacker and returns kickoffs and punts. The senior, who said he has an understanding of the blocking schemes from film study and from the offense practicing as a unit, also can line up in the backfield if needed.
“It’s tough to pick what I like best,” Schermerhorn said. “On offense, you score touchdowns. On defense, an interception can swing the momentum. On special teams, you can totally change the tide of a game with a touchdown or big return.”
In the Spartans’ 30-0 win at Grant on Friday, Sept. 4, Schermerhorn ran six times for 65 yards and caught five passes for 47 yards. While Schermerhorn didn’t reach the end zone, Pieper said his touches were instrumental in two of the team’s touchdowns.
“We use him in a lot of different ways,” said Pieper, who called Schermerhorn the fastest player on the Spartans. “He’s a kid who can do so many different things for us. He does whatever we ask of him.”
For the season, Schermerhorn has rushed for 151 yards for an average of 13.7 yards per carry and one touchdown. The second-year varsity player has 10 receptions for 87 yards and has returned two punts for 44 yards.
Schermerhorn’s special teams talents were on display in Glenbrook North’s 40-34 win over Wheeling in Week 1. His 40-yard punt return in the fourth quarter led to John Clark’s touchdown that tied the game at 34-all. Earlier in the game, he ran a fake punt 50 yards for a touchdown.
Senior quarterback Nick Karis, who’s in his first season as the starter, said he’s “blessed” to have Schermerhorn on offense.
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“He’s easily one of the best athletes on our team,” Karis said. “You could put him anywhere, even at quarterback, and he’d be good. Without him, you cut out a huge part of our offense. He always makes plays for us.”
When told Pieper said he could play guard for Glenbrook North, which plays host to Evanston (1-1) at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, Schermerhorn laughed and then paused for a moment to collect his thoughts.
“I don’t get to practice with the linemen, but I think I could pick it up,” he said. “I would use my smaller size as a strength. I think I could find a way to make it work.”
Twitter: @harnesspreps