Amos McCreary has seen more than his share of outstanding and athletic football players, both in his college days at Jacksonville State in Alabama and then for many years as a coach in Georgia before coming back home to his native Kentucky.

Now in his third season as the coach at Harlan County High School, McCreary knows that Jonah Swanner, his star senior receiver-quarterback-safety-running back, could play in any state or on any team.
“Jonah could play anywhere — no matter whether it’s Georgia or Alabama or anywhere. They will find a spot for Jonah Swanner,” said McCreary during a recent practice session as the Bears prepared for their season opener next week at Middlesboro. “He’s a player, and he knows the game. People think of him as a finesse player, but he’s also one of our most aggressive players. That’s something that gets overlooked. The presence he has on the field to set himself for a big run is pretty unique.”
Swanner grew up around his sports. His dad, Joey, was a quarterback and point guard at Evarts in the 1990s, and his mom, Christa, played basketball. Brothers Joey and Josh played various sports in high school and helped teach their younger brother.
“I grew up watching my brothers play, and I played against older guys all my life,” he said. “I think that helped me a lot.”
Swanner demonstrated his versatility a year ago, leading the team in both receptions and yardage with 19 catches for 316 yards. He was second to Thomas Jordan in rushing yardage with 558 yards and 10 touchdowns. He moved to quarterback late in the season when Ethan Rhymer went down with an injury and played one of his best games in helping HCHS defeat Perry Central 52-36 to earn a playoff berth as he ran for 159 years on 21 carries and completed all three of his passing attempts
So, as he heads into his senior season, Swanner was asked if he had a favorite position?
“Not really,” he said. “I’ll do whatever it takes for us to win and for us to get to the playoffs.”
“Jonah did a great job. We had practiced him some at quarterback, but once you get in there in a game and everything speeds up, you never know how someone will handle it,” McCreary said. “He probably throws it a little better this year, and we know he can run it.”
Swanner said playing quarterback in high school was much different than when he played there at Cumberland in middle school.
“You have to read a lot more and think a lot more, but it’s not that bad when you get in there and get used to it,” he said. “I throw better on the run, but if I have to throw it I can throw it, but I would prefer to run.”
Ethan Rhymer is healthy and back as the Bears’ quarterback. He played well in a scrimmage win last week over Knox Central.
“Ethan is doing a lot better on reads and finding the open man,” Swanner said. “I have a lot of confidence in him to make the right play.”
While he has outstanding speed and plenty of toughness, Swanner’s elusiveness may be the difference in making him one of the region’s best playmakers.
“I know if I get in the open field, I have the confidence to make a play and score,” he said.
Swanner is not just a star on the football field as he’s in position to be the best three-sport athlete to ever play at HCHS. He’s a standout center fielder in baseball and helped lead the Bears to a runner-up finish in the 52nd District, He provides a perfect complement to Trent Noah and Maddox Huff in basketball where he helped lead the Bears to a 52nd District title last season and the top ranking in the 13th Region going into the 2024 season. As a three-year starter, Swanner will likely become the 11th member of the school’s 1,000-point club this winter with 744 points to this point.
Swanner likes the Bears’ chances of getting back to the playoffs, even with a move back up to 5A, and improving on last year’s 4-7 record.
“I feel really good,” Swanner said. “We’re coming together as a team and have good chemistry. I trust these guys more than anything.”