Crusaders catch
another Victory

By Joe Mason
For the Times

Tom Ryan knows that the Father Judge High School football team is playing a bit more conservatively this year.
Which suits him just fine.
In previous years, Crusaders coach Tommy Coyle favored the pass over the run — sometimes to a very wide margin.
This year, the Crusaders have a much more balanced attack. And Ryan, the star wideout, is reaping the benefits.
"We run a little more this year, and I think that makes things easier for me," Ryan said. "When the other teams try to stop the run, they bring more guys up and that leaves us more room to get open, so I think this offense is better for the receivers, not worse."
On Saturday afternoon, Ryan caught five passes — including three touchdowns — to help the Crusaders crunch Archbishop Ryan, 24-0, in a Catholic League Red Division game.
All three of his scores, which were delivered by senior quarterback Paul Volpe, were highlight-reel worthy. But another play actually drew more ohhhs and ahhhs for the junior receiver.
During the second half, Volpe rushed down the sideline and was nearly tackled by Raiders star linebacker Chris Wilk. But Ryan swooped in and laid out Wilk with an amazing block.
"I like to hit, I always try to look back and see if I can help out," he said. "Those are fun, but for me that wasn’t the best part. I think the best part was . . . I guess the whole game.
"I live in Morrell Park, so I grew up with all of the Ryan guys," he continued. "They’re all my friends; I know their whole starting lineup. I love beating them and they love beating me. I’m just happy we were the ones who won."
Judge didn’t just win. The Crusaders flat-out dominated from opening kickoff through the final whistle.
Judge outgained Ryan in yardage, 288-125, and Ryan failed to get a first down in the first half.
"We’re happy to be 1-0 in the league," Coyle said. "We think we’re playing very good defense, and I thought our guys across the board were physical. We made it a physical football game, and it worked out for us."
As his block on Wilk demonstrated, Ryan isn’t your typical receiver when it comes to contact. And when he does catch the ball, he’s all about hard work and less about swaggering attitude.
"I did have the touchdowns, but you don’t do that without the blocking," Ryan said, referring to a line that includes Joe Gallelli, Dave Smith, Anthony Marascio, John Lavelle and Matt Schule. "We got great blocking and Paul made some perfect throws. My job was easy."
Ryan has been making plays all season for the Crusaders, who improved to 4-0 overall with the win.
On the season, Ryan has hauled in six touchdown passes and accounted for nearly 270 receiving yards. On defense, he has grabbed three interceptions.
He won’t hesitate to tell you, though, that he prefers playing on the offensive side of the ball.
"I’m a receiver, I did that last year, it’s my favorite position," he said. "I like defensive back, but if I had to pick one, it’d be receiver."
But he doesn’t have to pick one. Ryan hardly leaves the field, because when he’s out there he makes plays. Just as he did when he laid out the ferocious block that brought the Crusaders’ faithful to their feet.
"Tommy did that last year against a guy at Roman Catholic," Coyle said. "It was a clean hit, he peeled back, trying to help his quarterback out, and it just shows that he’s a total football player.
"He’ll run the football when you put it in his hands, he’ll catch the football, and he’s a hellacious blocker on the ends. He’s a very good free safety. He’s a total football player, and in a couple years, a college football program will be happy to have him."
For now, Ryan is just trying to keep the unbeaten Crusaders rolling along.
"This feels great to beat Ryan and be 4-0," he said. "I’m hurting right now, but I couldn’t feel any better." ••
Joe Mason can be reached at joemason70@hotmail.com