All Johnathon Schweickart was looking for was a chance to play college football.

It looks like he’s found that opportunity.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Schweickart will suit up next fall for the Central State University Marauders after signing a letter-of-intent on Friday.

“I’ll go up there and give it my best effort and see what happens,” said Schweickart. “If I start, I start. If not, I’ll just work harder.”

Schweickart was 55-of-102 passing for 1,025 yards and 10 touchdowns during the regular season. He also average 39 yards per kick as a punter and was the team’s placekicker and kickoff man for two seasons.

“They said I’d be the starting kicker but I could still go out for quarterback,” said Schweickart. “They said the position (of quarterback) is mine if I can take it.”

The Marauders — an NCAA Division II school and members of the Great Lakes Football Conference — lose starting quarterback Jude Diegue.

If the former Ironton quarterback can duplicate his high school numbers, his chances of playing for the Marauders should be very encouraging.

Schweickart was a two-time All-Southeastern Ohio Athletic League selection. He was a Division IV first team All-Southeast District pick and was special mention All-Ohio.

As a junior, Schweickart threw for 1,074 yards and four touchdowns as he completed 78 of 137 attempts for 57 percent.

His two-year totals were 133 of 239 — 56 percent — for 2,099 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Former Alabama All-American and 13-year NFL veteran E.J. Junior takes over this season as the new head coach. Schweickart said the new coach operates an offense similar to the one at Ironton.

“I’ve watched some film clips. Their offense is like Ironton’s but with a lot more passing,” said Schweickart.

Johnathon is the son of Christi Schweickart and Michael Taylor of Ironton.

2009 Central State Schedule

August

29 at West Virginia State

September

6 vs. Virginia Union at Dayton

12 at Southern University

19 Stillman College at Chula Vista, CA.

October

4 at Kentucky Wesleyan

10 KENTUCKY STATE

17 LINCOLN UNIVERSITY

25 at Ohio Dominican

31 at N.C. Central

November

8 ST. JOSESPH COLLEGE

14 URBANA UNIVERSITY