Oswego East Student-Athlete of the Week-Dylan Allen

Senior Dylan Allen has always been passionate about football. “I started playing flag football when I was five, and constantly bugged my mom about being able to put on pads and tackle,” says Dylan. Dylan emerged as a defensive starter for the Wolves this season, and the leadership and energy he brings to the team is why he has earned the distinction of Oswego East’s student-athlete of the week.

This past year has been especially tough for football players, having spent the summer unsure if there was ever going to be a season. “During summer camp we really didn’t get to interact much because we couldn’t wear pads or contact, which really changed the pace we usually go at to get ready for the season,” says Dylan.

After finding out the season was not going to occur in the fall, the team was forced into online meetings to prepare for a season the team was not even sure was ever going to happen. However, the close-knit senior class refused to allow the obstacles from the pandemic to alter their course, finding ways to stay in contact and continue preparing and hoping for the season.

Dylan has managed to stay flexible throughout the past year, both in athletics and academics. “Dylan has gone with the flow of things, adjusting well to being online for school,” says Amy and James Allen, Dylan’s parents. They go on to add, “he wished the season was longer for football but stays flexible and understanding and did whatever was needed so he could play with the team.”

After finding out there would be a spring season, Dylan and the Wolves got to work. After having played QB his junior season behind starter Michael Ford, Dylan switched to cornerback and emerged as a starter. “He has a great attitude and constantly works to be a better player,” says defensive coordinator Dan Dunbar.

The Wolves defense has consistently been a thorn in the side for opposing offenses, disguising looks and harassing teams into bad decisions. As a former QB, Dylan understands what offenses are trying to accomplish, specifically in the passing game, and has used that knowledge to make some big plays for the defense, leading the team this season with 2 interceptions.

Dylan is also one of the leaders on the defense in tackles, and his passion and drive for the game serve as a catalyst for his teammates. “Dylan’s work ethic has rubbed off on other players by challenging them to compete,” says Dunbar. He goes on to add, “His growth as a defensive player has been steady and consistent because of his dedication to the game and his strong work ethic.”

Despite being 1-2 on the year, the Wolves enter tonight’s matchup against Oswego with high hopes. “It is one of our goals this year to win crosstown,” says Dylan. Without a state playoff, and in the midst of a shortened season, the annual crosstown game versus Oswego will have even more attention, even if there won’t be the usual capacity crowd.

With only 3 games left in the year and a little over a month left before Dylan graduates, Dylan can start looking at what his goals are post-high school. Although not 100% sure, Dylan has plans to attend Iowa State University and major in accounting. “I’ve always been good at math and researched a lot about accounting outside of school this year, and I really could not see myself doing anything different,” says Dylan.

Dylan’s freshman year Geometry teacher, Shannon Day, fondly remembers Dylan as an excellent student with a bright future, and believes his choice to focus on accounting will be a successful one. “Dylan was always a very motivated student who was curious about how things worked and had a wonderful ability to think outside the box,” says Shannon. She goes on to add, “I think Dylan would make an excellent accountant, as it encompasses all of his strengths. He is a very logical thinker and works well with numbers, yet he also can be creative in his problem-solving skills. Having the ability to look at problems from different perspectives to interpret information will suit him well for this pursuit.”

Although this season was not the one the football team had envisioned last year, they are grateful for having an opportunity to salvage what they can of a season. Looking back on his high school experience, Dylan offers this advice to future Wolves, saying, “Make sure to keep up with your studies and don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you do not reach out for help you are setting yourself up for failure, and there are multiple resources at East to make sure you are successful. Also, do not forget to find ways to release anxiety and stress and focus on your mental health and making time for yourself.”