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LEROY – Sometimes it’s difficult to be the little brother of a standout athlete, but other times it’s a blessing.

In the case of LeRoy-Ostrander/Lyle-Pacelli senior Carter Sweeney, it’s been an outstanding thing. Carter, who is a starting wide receiver and defensive back for the Cardinals, is the younger brother of Gavin Sweeney, who won a Class Nine Man state title with the Cardinals in 2021 and now plays Division II football at Upper Iowa University. 

Ever since he became a Cardinal, Carter has been looking to make a name for himself and he’s done just that as he’s placed his name among the all-time leading receivers in program history.

“Everyone always knew me as Gavin’s little brother. There was always a chip on my shoulder and it’s still there,” Carter said. “I have to earn (people knowing) my first name and make sure that they remember my last name. That’s always been a big, big chip on my shoulder and I’ve always wanted to be better than him.”

Gavin started playing football in second grade and Carter was usually trying to keep up with him. By the time Gavin was kicking for the Cardinals in high school, Carter would hold for him and their dad Nick, who is an assistant coach for the team, would serve as the long snapper.

Last Christmas break, the Sweeney’s were reminiscing on their younger days together, but they were also talking about how Carter’s team could make it to state in his senior year. The Cardinals accomplished that goal on Friday and Gavin, who was watching the game from the crowd, couldn’t have been prouder of his little brother.

“It makes me really happy because I don’t want to say he’s in my shadow, but he’s been behind me forever and ever and it’s nice to see that he’s kind of doing his own thing and making his own legacy kind of like I did,” Gavin said. “I’m really happy to see that he’s becoming successful and being his own person. It’s a strong bond (in our family). All we ever really talk about is football, even into the offseason. Mom’s along for the ride and she supports us in every way.”

Nick played high school football in Riceville, Iowa where he graduated from in 2002. He’s learned how to coach his kids when they’re on the field and how to be a dad when he’s at home.

Having both boys playing on different teams means that Nick’s had to miss some of Gavin’s college games, but the family football bond has never faded.

“(Talking football) brings me back to when they were little and that hasn’t changed. The only thing that’s changed is their verbiage and how much they have learned,” Nick said. “Now they’re telling me things that I used to tell them when they were little. Gavin helps us all the time. He comes home and he’s Carter’s biggest critic; I don’t have to say anything, because big brother’s always pushing Carter to be better than Gavin.”

Carter doesn’t have plans to play football in college, but he is forever grateful for where the game has taken him. It’s helped him build lasting friendships with his teammates, it’s taught him the value of hard work, and it’s brought him much closer to his big brother.

“Gavin is a good football player who works hard all the time, whether it’s in the weight room or on the field,” Carter said. “He is a big role model for me. He’s always supported me. There are times that he’s skipped class to come and watch me play.”

Gavin said that it’s been a little surreal to see his little brother help bring the Cardinals back to state, but he’s enjoyed every minute of it.

“Carter and I were always super close and we did everything together. He was welcomed most of the time and he tagged along with just about everything. My friends and I were close with Carter and all of his friends,” Gavin said. “I’m really happy for those guys. They know what it takes to get to a possible state title. They’re doing all of the right things and it’s great to see their hard work pay off like it did for us.”

Gavin is in his red-shirt junior season at Upper Iowa, where he bounced back and forth from tight end to defensive line in his first few years. This season he has been in the rotation at defensive end as he has played in all nine games for the Peacocks (5-4 overall) and registered 19 tackles and three sacks.

“I think nine man is a lot more fast paced than 11-man and the schematics are a little bit tougher (in college),” Gavin said. “It was nice that I was exposed to so much in high school, because that it made going to college a little bit easier. Coach (Trevor) Carrier could be a Division I or Division II coach if he wanted to, honestly. He coaches just as hard as my coaches do for us here at college.”

Carrier said that the Sweeney family represents everything that the Cardinal football program is all about.

“They get what we’re trying to do here,” Carrier said. “It’s been a blessing being with them on the field and my wife is best friends with their mom, so it works out pretty well. The best part about football here is players always come back and Gavin’s always going to have an opinion on what we’re doing. Sometimes I’ll use it and sometimes I won’t. That’s the family culture that we have here and it’s supported by all of us.”