At 6-foot and 175 pounds, Prospect’s Brennan Keane is the ideal size to play running back, wide receiver or even defensive back.
Instead, he toils at two less glamorous and often tiring positions that usually are reserved for much bigger players. Keane starts at right tackle and outside linebacker and has been a steady force behind the scenes for the Knights.
“Brennan is a unique kid and just a battler,” Prospect coach Mike Sebestyen said. “He’s a kid who does it on sheer will. His motor is going the entire time. He strikes me very much as an old-school player who never wants to come off the field, and he’s going to give you everything he has.
“He will play 48 minutes and after a game, he will be exhausted after really spending himself. You love that in a kid. He’s been very effective this year, particularly at offensive line and has done well at linebacker.”
Keane admitted he initially doubted whether he could play offensive line, but mostly just because he had never played the position. He started all nine games last season at a mere 160 pounds.
“I was even smaller last year,” Keane said. “They gave me a look at right tackle because that’s where I was needed most. I was not so convinced I would be able to play the position at first because of my size, but my offensive line coach explained to me about how I would have to play with great technique and just to play hard.”
The Knights (1-3) are counting on Keane to be a focal player this season after returning only one starter on defense. They also needed to retool the offensive line after the graduation of Alex Palczewski, now at Illinois.
“Brennan’s someone we have leaned on as a leader,” Sebestyen said. “You don’t get a lot of kids like Brennan. By talent, he’s just an above-average football player. He’s not someone who is a star, but by heart and effort, he’s an exceptional football player.”
The Knights allowed more than 400 yards of offense in a 31-7 home loss to Highland Park on Friday. They visit Buffalo Grove (4-0) on Friday night in both team’s Mid-Suburban East opener.
Keane said it can be grueling playing so many minutes, but he’s focused on being a leader for a young team trying to find an identity.
“It’s definitely tough at points being on the field so much with how physical both positions get,” Keane said, “but good preparation during the offseason and during the season is what makes it doable.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press