Nov. 28—If Bryce Peet has learned anything about playing defense, it would be “don’t think, only react.”
Peet, for the second year in a row, was selected by the Ashtabula County coaches as the county defensive player of the year.
The Eagles’ middle linebacker led his team in solo tackles, total tackles, and tackles for loss. He also had an interception and fumble recovery.
After picking up the honor a year ago, Peet said he strived to keep the award in his name.
“It was definitely one of my goals going into the season,” the junior said. “I was able to win that last year, and coming back this year, I wanted to grow on it. Coach [Don] Shymske put us in a great position to do that, and I seized the opportunity.”
Peet has all the
commitment, athletic
ability, and strength the Geneva program thrives upon.
What sets him apart, though, is his cerebral preparation for the game.
“He’s one of the brightest football players and has the highest football IQ of anyone I’ve ever coached,” Shymske said. “The kid reads his keys and is the most disciplined at reading his keys as much as any kid I’ve seen.
“He gets involved in the scouting report and he just knows what’s coming before it happens. He’s a very special player.”
Peet said the inside linebacker position has always been his home on the field.
He credits his father, Geneva’s offensive coordinator Matt Peet, for instilling the need to study the game at a young age.
Time looking at film and game prep is essential in being able to anticipate and be a step ahead of the opposition.
“I’ve been around football my whole life,” Peet said. “I just started a habit of paying attention to detail. I think that’s what helps me to react. When I read, I can react. I don’t have to think. I think that’s a big bonus.”
