HHS Sports Profile: Linebacker Connor Suess Steps Up to Lead

Ten years ago, now Herndon High senior Connor Suess began playing soccer but truly enjoyed tossing the pigskin around with his father in his back yard after school and dreamt of playing the game of football one day.

After five years of travel soccer, Suess finally got his chance to hit the gridiron his freshman year at Herndon and fell in love with the sport. Now three years later, the middle linebacker has stepped up to lead the Hornet defense in 2011.

“Connor is playing very well and he has really stepped up in a leadership role. He is a team player and gives a great effort every day,” said Herndon coach Joe Sheaffer. “He has really improved and been a pleasure to coach.”

The position of middle linebacker is often referred to as the “quarterback” of the defense. Suess’ responsibilities include calling the defensive play in to his teammates, checking the opponent’s offensive formations, checking-off the scheme if the other team calls an audible and adjusting to that change on defense. Suess said it became challenging to learn all of the terminology and signals because he only began playing in ninth grade. But the defensive specialist said he picked it up quickly as the repetitions increased.

“I narrow down the plays that might be coming, if there are keys,” Suess said. “I communicate that to the defense and other linebackers and we adjust.”

Sheaffer and his staff made a huge adjustment of their own this past August by eliminating the previously installed “Ironman” style of play, where the players play on both offense and defense during games. Now, the Hornets have 11 designated players on offense and 11 others assigned to playing only defense.

“It’s a positive change because people can really memorize what they’re doing more accurately,” Suess said. “And you get so winded at the end of the game [with Ironman]. I did both ways on JV and it was exhausting.”

The majority of Herndon’s defense may be young but it has improved drastically throughout the season, especially against the pass, and kept the team in several games including a tight 14-7 loss to Langley early in the year. Suess sits atop the tackling leader list at No.1 and 2 with Harrison Craddock this year, but does not boast. Instead he gives credit to his fellow linebacker Chris Glazier, who leads the Hornets with 6.5 sacks, and his other defensive teammates.

“Oliver Mushumba and Casey have done a great job on the defensive line and Chris Glazier has done a great job on blitzes,” Suess said. “This year we’re an extremely young defense. The guys on the D-line didn’t start least year and we have a lot of juniors playing and a sophomore. Next year I think the future looks pretty bright.”

However, one week still remains this season and the Hornets want that “W” added to their 2-6 record (as of Oct. 27). It will be tough as they face the No.1 team in the state in Westfield. But the Hornets have gone head-to-head with the best teams in the region all season and Suess says Herndon has not and will not ever lay down to anyone.

“We play one of the toughest schedules in the state of Virginia. We’ve played a couple region winners and Centreville when they were No. 1 in the state,” he said. “There haven’t been any games that we’ve given up. We’re all really focused on winning games. There’s no shenanigans and we really get after it.”

Suess completed his college applications and hopes to attend either The University of Virginia or Virginia Tech. Wherever he ends up, there better be a nice big fishing hole there as he enjoys spending his free time surf-fishing in the Outer Banks. He said he wants to “have the college experience” and focus on studies, so it seems Herndon’s next football game will be his last. Regardless, Suess believes his years at Herndon High to be the best and has relished the wins he has helped the Hornets earn.

“It’s nice to get a couple wins in there because last year was [tough.] People are really improving and I think overall this year there is a pretty good attitude on the team.”