COLUMBUS, Ind. — Xander Brotzman began his varsity football career at Columbus East two years ago as the starting center.
After one game, Brotzman moved to left tackle. Last year, he moved to tight end and played there the entire season, except for one game back at left tackle.
Now a senior, Brotzman has been entrenched as the Olympians’ starting tight end, and he’s also seen some action at defensive end. His versatility has been a key in allowing him to excel wherever he’s played.
“I’ve been moved around a lot playing football,” Brotzman said. “But I feel like wherever the coaches need me, they can put me anywhere, and I’ll learn the position and be ready to go.”
East coach Bob Gaddis has been pleased with that unselfishness that Brotzman has displayed. In the meantime, Brotzman is also the Olympians long snapper for punts and is on a couple of other special teams units.
“He’s been very versatile for us throughout his career,” Gaddis said. “The great thing about him is he’s always said, ‘I’ll do whatever the team needs.’ It’s very unusual to find that these days, but that’s always been his attitude about it. He’s a real quiet young man. He just comes to work every day and works hard and is dependable and is just a pleasure to coach.”
While Brotzman does have three catches for 46 yards this season, he realizes East is a run-first offense. That means his biggest contributions come as a blocker in the running game.
“He’s doing a good job with that part of it,” Gaddis said. “He’s done a great job blocking for us.”
At 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, Brotzman may be a little undersized for an offensive tackle. But Gaddis said he can run around and catch the ball, and it was a pretty natural move to put him at tight end.
“I feel like I have a lot of experience, especially playing tackle my sophomore year,” Brotzman said. “Just being out on the field that young, it really does help knowing what to do. Over the summer, I was trying to gain weight so I would be able to block better. I feel like I still have the speed and stuff to excel at tight end.”
Brotzman had one of the best all-around games of his career on Friday. He had one catch for 21 yards and helped lead an offensive line that paved the way for 429 yards rushing and another 159 passing in a 48-14 rout of New Albany.
For his efforts, Brotzman was selected by the coaching staff as East’s Player of the Game.
“He had a really good game on offense, he played some defensive snaps and played on three special teams and played well on all of them,” Gaddis said.
With back-to-back blowout wins, the Olympians have gained a little momentum going into Friday’s showdown at Class 5A No. 8 Floyd Central. Both teams are undefeated in the Hoosier Hills Conference, and the game likely will decide if East can capture a 17th consecutive HHC title.
“I think we’re doing pretty good,” Brotzman said. “I feel like the offensive line has really stepped up in how we’re able to move the ball. Floyd is a really good team, so we have to have a good week of preparation to go out there and have a good, physical game.”
Brotzman has been thinking about possibly playing football at the next level. He wants to go into some type of construction and is unsure if college would be the right path.
“I just feel like it would have to be the right school,” Brotzman said. “I’ve had colleges reach out to me for interest, but I’ve not talked a whole lot with them.”
While a team-first player, Brotzman does have one individual goal for the remainder of his senior season.
“I’d like to have a touchdown this year,” Brotzman said. “I’m starting to get some catches, but a touchdown would be really nice.”
