By Joe Simon

New Castle News

Ryan Crawford was part of a conversation almost every high school football player wants to have.

His junior year just came to an end, and the wide receiver went in to the football office to watch film of the Sharon-Wilmington game that concluded the Greyhounds’ season. The realization of the season ending and players graduating made Crawford wonder if he might be switching positions.

“I knew a lot of positions would change because I knew we were losing people,” he said. “I said, ‘Coach, where am I going to be next year?’ And he said, ‘We’re going to put you at fullback.’

“I was ecstatic.”

So is coach Terry Verrelli.

The transition from wide receiver to running back has worked wonderfully for Wilmington (3-0) as Crawford is second in Lawrence County rushing with 316 yards. He’s also tied for second in scoring with six touchdowns.

Crawford ran for 115 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries last week against Karns City. He also returned a kickoff 92 yards and sealed the victory for the Greyhounds. He finished with 212 total yards and the play of the game.

The performance earned him Athlete of the Week honors, an award sponsored by Washington Centre Physical Therapy and selected by the New Castle News sports staff.

One area the senior still is learning about is ball security. He fumbled twice against Karns City, and the second led to a touchdown that cut Wilmington’s lead, which was once 21-0, to 21-12 early in the fourth quarter. He responded by taking the ensuing kickoff to the house and icing another Greyhounds’ victory.

“That probably brings anyone down when you fumble the ball,” Verrelli said. “I think that gives you a little urgency and determination, too. You’re mad at yourself, and they happen to kick it to him, and he just accelerated up through the middle. The kids did a good job blocking, but the acceleration was the key. He ran by a few guys. I’m sure the fumble before that gave him a little inspiration to make up for it.”

That’s for sure. Crawford said the turnovers were the worst-case scenario for him. He made sure to put them behind him, and he didn’t allow his frustration to get the best of him. Instead, the 5-foot-8, 190-pounder channeled his anger into something positive by darting through the middle of the Karns City special teams.

Crawford wouldn’t go as far as calling it a breakthrough game because of the fumbles, but he’s on the right track.

“That’s like the worst thing I could have done is give the ball to the other team,” he said. “I think the whole reason I returned that kickoff is because I did fumble. I’m not saying I don’t try other times, but it was just like an incentive for me because that’s my team, and I coughed up the ball twice. So I was pretty ashamed of myself after the game.”

That type of ownership is one of the reasons Crawford is a captain for Wilmington. The leadership role is one he knew he had to embrace after last year. Crawford, who’s also a key part of the Wilmington defense at outside linebacker, dedicated himself to the weight room, bulking up and strengthening his lower body since he knew a position change was coming.

Verrelli has noticed a difference, both physically and mentally.

“He’s been a leader for us on both sides of the ball,” Verrelli said. “He can cover, and he’s strong and aggressive, so he anchors that outside corner there when they run that way. He’s quick, he can get around blocks, but he can take on blocks, too.

“Being a captain is not an easy thing. It’s something you have to learn. It’s not a natural thing for many. He’s a little of both, he’s vocal and he leads by example.”

The example was obvious against Karns City as he persevered through his first rough stretch as a running back to lead the Greyhounds to a win.

“I wanted the ball back,” he said. “And I was able to take advantage of it.”

*****

The Ryan Crawford file

POSITION: Running back/outside linebacker

TEAM: Wilmington

GRADE: 12

KNOWN FOR: Crawford was one of the county’s top receivers a year ago, but he switched positions this year and is now one of the elite running backs in the county. He ranks second in rushing yards (316) and touchdowns (six) through the first three games of the season.

PARENTS: Mary Pitman and Ryco Crawford

FAVORITE PRO PLAYER AND WHY: Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens. “Guys like him fascinate me. To be that big and that strong and to be able to hit that hard, it’s amazing.”

FAVORITE TEAM AND WHY: Ohio State Buckeyes. “My dad is from Ohio, and whenever I was with him, he was always watching the Buckeyes on TV, so they became my favorite team, too.”

FUTURE PLANS: Crawford said he would like to play football in college, but he’s not sure where yet. He said he wants to become a lawyer.