Two-way force

Plymouth's Beyer gives opponents fits from both sides of the line of scrimmage

  You can run, but you can't hide from Plymouth's Brennen Byer on the football field.

  Fueled by a motor that is always running in first gear, the Wildcats' two-year starting defensive end possesses pursuit skills that rival that of a cheetah chasing a gazelle on the open plains for Africa.

  And like the cheetah, he often catches his prey.

  "There have been a number of times this season when the other team will run away from Brennen's side, but he'll make the play any way," said Plymouth coach Mike Sawchuk. "His effort is amazing. He squeezes as hard as he can and makes plays, no matter if the play is coming at him or away from him."

  Beyer is also a threat on the offensive side of the ball when he lines up for the Wildcats' spread offense. Using his 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame to the max, he has made several clutch catches this season, including a game-clinching TD grab in the season-opening win against Salem.

  "He can really go up and catch a fade," said Sawchuk. "The thing about Brennen that stands out is that he is so athletic, he can play any position out here. He's proven he can play wide out, but he could also play center, tackle -- he could even play quarterback if he wanted to. He's just that athletic.

  "Brennen is just a great, all-around kid. He's great academically and he has awesome morales and values."

  Beyer made the most of his rare opportunity to start at the varsity level as a sophomore in 2008. He was a key member of the Wildcats' attacking defense that helped elevate the team to its third Division 1 post-season playoff berth.

  "The most important things I learned last season that are helping me this season are that you have to be physical and you have to think a lot more, especially on defense," said Beyer. "You can't just go out there and do things. You have reads that you have to look for.

  "I like our team's defense a lot. Coach Sawchuk is a great defensive coach. If we follow our reads, we stop the play."

  "Brennen has definitely improved since last season," Sawchuk said. "He's put on some pounds, he's a lot stronger and faster than he was as a sophomore. Plus, once you get that first year of varsity experience under your belt, the game slows down for you a little bit."

  Beyer comes from an athletic family. His parents, Jon and Crissa, both love sports and all three of his sisters are avid volleyball players.

  He was a key player for the Wildcats' basketball team last winter, using his height and go-get-the-ball mentality to average close to 10 points and 10 rebounds a game.

  "I love basketball and football, but if I could only choose one I'd probably take football," he said. "I like the hitting part of the game."

  That wasn't always true, he admitted.

  "I started playing football when I was 8 years old for the Steelers," he said. "I got my butt kicked pretty bad that first year, so I didn't play the next year. I returned when I was 10 and did a lot better, and I've loved it ever since."

  With the small amount of free time he does have, Beyer enjoys hanging out with his friends and working with youngsters at Canton's Crosswinds Church, where his dad is a pastor.

  "Every other week, I help help young children learn lessons about the Bible," he said. "It's fun to watch them grow up and learn. When I get older, I want to have a job that allows me to work with kids, maybe as a youth-group minister or something like that."

  His volunteering is limited to teaching.

  "Every year we go on a mission trip in the summer," Beyer said. "This year we went to Columbus, Ohio, and helped out some homeless people. It feels good to do stuff like that."

  Beyer excels in the classroom, having earned a stellar 3.9 grade-point average so far.

  "I'd love to play college football someday," he said. "I don't really care where right now, but the Big 10 would be nice." 

Ed Wright can be reached at info@plymouthcantonsports.com or (734) 453-1980.