SPRINGFIELD — Brian Nwodo is your typical high school freshman.
He’s wide-eyed, bushy tailed, full of positivity.
On Friday nights, he is anything, but typical. Springfield Catholic’s defensive star is wreaking havoc on opposing offenses.
“He’s a freak,” Catholic head coach Wes Page said. “There’s no other way to put it.”
Nwodo features at defensive end and linebacker for the Irish. He’s been one of the top backfield tacklers in the entire state.
He has secured seven sacks already, which ranks fourth-best in Missouri. He’s just two sacks shy of Keytesville’s Drake Shannon for the state's most.
“It’s been really fun, but it’s been a really big jump from middle school,” Nwodo
said. “It’s the physicality and giving hits, they take a lot for them to go down.”
Nwodo is still learning the varsity game, but his explosive traits are eye-popping. In Catholic’s latest win over Buffalo, Nwodo was all over the Bison’s option-style offense.
On multiple occasions, Buffalo would read-option Nwodo. When the quarterback kept the ball, Nwodo lunged and tackled the ball carrier for a loss with just one hand. It’s all instincts, which makes him a fun player to coach.
“We can’t take credit for coaching any of that,” Page said. “He just goes out there and does stuff and it works.”
During summer workouts, Page knew he had an impressive player. But, he didn’t know how quickly Nwodo would be ready for varsity football. He had to learn new schemes along with the speed of the game and the intensity of Mid-Lakes Conference games.
Once Catholic completed its jamboree, Page knew he was ready.
“When he got out here under the lights in the jamboree, we went, ‘oh, wow, this guy is different,’” Page said. “He knocks guys down whenever he has a chance.”
Nwodo has the skills to make an impact on any given play. He has 51 total tackles, the third-most on the team behind juniors Jacody Westhoff and Andrew Whitely.
Not only does Nwodo lead the team in sacks, he also has the most tackles for a loss with 10. In his mind, there is nothing better than the feeling of taking down an opposing quarterback.
“I get this sense of euphoria,” Nwodo said. “I’m just, I don’t know. It’s amazing.”
On the field, Nwodo is intimidating, but off the field, he’s a lovable guy. The entire roster feeds off of his positive, fun-loving energy. He’s the perfect balance to the intensity of game nights.
“He’s a super likable kid, charismatic and he’s a goofy guy," Page said. "He plays like a mean, mean person, but he’s the goofiest guy on our team.”
Nwodo is one of many players that have Springfield Catholic dreaming of a deep postseason run. The Irish are 6-0 and controlling their own destiny in league and district play.
In its next game, Catholic goes on the road to Hollister (0-6) on Friday, Oct. 9.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Meet Springfield Catholic football's freshman phenom | 'He's a freak'
