The Breen Scene II, FB 2006

NOV. 23
THANKSGIVING RIVALRY
Ryan 28, Washington 6

Twenty days after losing to Father Judge and ending their playoff hopes, the Raiders dismantled the George Washington Eagles of the Public League in the annual Thanksgiving contest. After uncertainty all week on who would be under center on Thursday, senior quarterback Seth Magagna was given the start. The Raiders first drive resulted in Chris Wilk waltzing into the end zone for a 1 yard touchdown, but it was senior running back’s Mike Marasheski’s 25-yard run that ended with a plunge into a large puddle that accumulated on the sidelines that set the tone for the game. The game would be sloppy as it was played under muddy conditions and heavy rain began falling at halftime. On Washington’s opening drive Chris Wilk came up huge, tackling the ball carrier behind the line on a fourth and short and then gave a New York Giant-esque jump shot celebration, ballin’. On Ryan’s second drive Magagna’s first pass attempt was completed to whom else but junior Nick Ferdinand for 31 yards. On 4th and 6th, Ryan rolled the dice, as Magagna rolled out, eluded a tackler but his pass was incomplete intended for senior Bob Kilchrist, who broke his collarbone during the game. Washington never seemed to be able to get rolling, as their quarterback-by-committee completed just one pass among three different quarterbacks and found their best receiver in Ryan cornerback Nick Ferdinand, as he picked off three passes and took one to the house for a pick-six. Chris Wilk’s second touchdown on the day was followed by a Rob McArdle two-point conversion to even the score out at 14-0. McArdle recorded his second two-point conversion after Ferdinand’s interception return. Ferdinand pulled off a ballin’ of his own in the second half after his interception. Senior Joe Smith ran for his first touchdown of the season and made his way onto Comcast Sportsnet’s SportsNite highlights. As long as Archbishop Wood takes care of business against West Catholic in the CL-Blue Final, the Thanksgiving win places Ryan in an exclusive club. They are the only team that can rightfully say that they were victorious against the Public League’s Runner-Up (GW), the Catholic League Blue Champion (Wood) and the Catholic League Red Champion (La Salle).

NOV. 3
CATHOLIC RED
Judge 20, Ryan 3
Coming off one of the biggest Ryan regular season wins in recent years (on the road at La Salle), the Raiders lost for the fifth time in their last six games. Ryan’s first drive was highlighted by a near fifty-yard run by Mike Marasheski and then fell into a defensive struggle for a bit. Both Ryan and Judge failed to light up the scoreboard until a FG by the Pride of the Soccer Post, Chris Webster. Webster joined the team before last week's game against La Salle after kicker Bill George was injuried. Webster was actually working at the Soccer Post when George called him to see if he could kick in the game at La Salle. So far he has not missed a kick: two extra points and one field goal. The Raiders got to the two-yard line on the back of wide receiver Nick Ferdinand, who recorded four consecutive first downs on the drive, but wasn’t looked to at the goal line. Ferdinand did have his second highest yard total of season hauling in six catches for 109 yards. The 1 minute and 8 seconds that the Raider offense left for Judge seemed to be too much as quarterback Paul Volpe found sophomore Wide Receiver Tommy Ryan on a 40 yard bomb for a touchdown. Tommy Ryan’s half ending touchdown reception was his sixth of the year. Judge opened up the second half with a long, grinding drive, which resulted in a turnover on downs and gave the ball to Ryan. QB Rus Slawter’s first pass of the second half resulted in his second interception of the game. Amid throwing four interceptions, Slawter did throw for 157 yards his second highest yardage total of the season. After that long Judge drive, the winded Ryan defense returned to the frigid field at Charles Martin Memorial Stadium. Once again Judge grinded it out this time they didn’t come up short as Joe Thompson ran for one of his two touchdowns of the night and also rushed for the century mark. The Raiders were without cornerback Eric Dethloff for the third consective game.The loss ended any chances of Ryan postseason football and now the only game left on the calendar is the annual Thanksgiving Day contest against George Washington.

OCT. 21
CATHOLIC RED
N. Catholic 31, Ryan 15

   After a disappointing home loss to Cardinal O’Hara on Sept. 14, Archbishop Ryan fell to the hands of Daryl Robinson and the North Catholic Falcons. Robinson ran for 178 yards and reached the end zone three times. North outscored Ryan 14-0 in the second half.
   North’s offense made a quick statement as Robinson ran for a score on their first offense play of the game, following a Rus Slawter interception. Slawter threw for 108 yards, 1 touchdown, 4 interceptions and what seemed to be a quick punt on 4th and 9 in the first quarter. This season has been a learning experience for both Slawter and his favorite receiver junior Nick Ferdinand. Slawter, only being a sophomore, will be able to build off what at times has been a successful season. It may be too early to look ahead to next season, but Ryan should be in good hands, with Slawter, Ferdinand, Jimmy Weitzel and Eric Silenok all returning.
   The Ryan defense played without defensive backs Eric Dethloff and Tom Peterman, both sidelined with injuries. According to Dethloff, he should be able to play this Saturday at La Salle, but he thinks Peterman could be out for the season with nerve damage in his neck. Linebacker Taylor Cave injured his shoulder during the game and was in a sling for some of this week; it’s unclear if he will be available against La Salle. With all of the injuries the defense still played a respectable game, including a fumble recovery by Silenok in the first quarter and a huge goal line stand forcing a turnover on downs to open up the second half.
   Senior Bob Kilchrist ran for 32 yards, with the majority of it coming off a 25 yard run on Ryan’s first drive of the second half. The drive stalled and forced a Ryan punt. North Catholic recovered a muffed punt by Ferdinand, which led to another Robinson TD. Robinson came close to having a muffed punt of his own but he was able to recover. North Catholic was able to intercept Slawter two more times, on back to back drives, and another North rushing TD. The Tribe, Ryan’s fan group, led by self proclaimed Tribal Leader Richie DiLiberto, was loud and into it the entire game.
   After La Salle, the Raiders take on Northeast Philadelphia rival Father Judge. Reportedly, Ryan must win both games and receive a little help from some others to take part in the Catholic League Playoffs.

OCT. 6
CATHOLIC RED
Roman 35, Ryan 7
If there was ever a game to forget this would be the one. Roman Catholic’s well-balanced attack proved to be too much for Archbishop Ryan on Saturday night as the Raiders fell, 35-7. The Raiders struggled defensively as Roman running back Balial Lewis ran for 154 yards and averaged a whopping 8.5 yards per carry. Lewis picked up his lone touchdown on a 68-yard run in the first quarter. Buddy Buonviso’s 57-yard touchdown run in the second half resulted in an unnecessary playing of the Notre Dame University fight song by the Roman Catholic Marching Band. Cahillites? Fighting Irish? Sorry guys, but I don’t see the similarity. Roman quarterback Chris Johnson threw for close to a hundred yards and three touchdowns, all of which found wide out Dom Joseph, including a 35-yard touchdown pass as the first half expired. The Ryan offense was highlighted by another fine performance by junior Nick Ferdinand, who hauled in four catches for 70 yards. Ferdinand came up huge on defense, breaking up a pass and then recovering a fumble on the very next play. He also recovered another fumble, giving Ryan fans a flashback to last year’s Ryan-Roman game, where Doug Andrews recovered two fumbles. Andrews is now playing football for Delaware Valley College as a freshman and was in attendance at the game along with former Ryan player Keith Borisuk. Ryan saw the emergence of senior Joe Smith, as he rushed for 73 yards and hauled in a 24-yard pass where he took a hit but still held on to complete the pass. Quarterback Rus Slawter was pulled in the fourth quarter after throwing for 143 yards, a touchdown to Chris Wilk and two interceptions. Slawter also fumbled. Senior quarterback Seth Magnana ran for 62 yards, but his drive stalled on a goal line fumble by Jimmy Weitzel. The Raiders came into the game ranked fourth in the city by the Daily News and will likely take a hit after this one. But, they get a chance to stop their recent slump when Cardinal O’Hara comes to Washington on Saturday at 1 p.m. O’Hara comes into this game with a four game losing streak.

SEPT. 23
CATHOLIC RED
Ryan 40, Bonner 21
   It may not have been the shutout that LB Bill Brady guaranteed, but the Raiders still dominated in their home opener. The Ryan offense had their way with Monsignor Bonner, throwing for over 300 yards for the first time this season and rushing for over 200. Yes, the Ryan offense accumulated more yards in the air then on the ground. Junior Wide Receiver Nick Ferdinand continued his terrific season, hauling in twelve catches for a school-record 190 yards and three touchdowns. Rus Slawter put to rest any talk to who would be the Raiders' quarterback this season; the sophomore sensation threw for 309 yards (also a school mark) and three touchdowns, not bad for a kid who didn’t throw a varsity pass last season. The running game continued to thrive behind Mike Marasheski and Bob "Cookie" Kilchrist, combining for 169 yards, and Maro added his own two scores (three for the year). Also, the backs were aided by a late 50-yard run by junior Jimmy Weitzel. The defense came up big behind the play of last week's TedSilary.com player of the week Mike Ramirez and Taylor Cave. Seniors Eric “Showtime” Dethloff and Joe Smith had their way with Friar quarterback Craig Love, both tallying one interception. Next week the defending Catholic League Red Champion, St. Joe’s Prep, pays a visit to Mickey Young Memorial Stadium for an afternoon matinee with the Raiders. SJP is coming off a 40-0 shutout against the Cahillites of Roman Catholic. The Raider defense will be at work attempting to shut down the ever-explosive Prep running back, Jamir Livingston.
   Breen Scene Play of The Game: Slawter to Ferdinand for the first Raider touchdown of the game. Ferdinand caught the best floater this side of Snuffy McGee in the corner of the end zone, took a nice hit and even though it was unnecessary, kept both feet in bounds.
   Breen Scene Player of The Game: This title could go to more than one player on the team, but there’s only room for one: Running Back Mike “Maro” Marasheski. The speedy back ran for 117 all purpose yards and two touchdowns. “It helps seeing Maro running off the ends," said fullback Bob Kilchrist.

SEPT. 8
NON-LEAGUE
Neshaminy 27, Ryan 7
Archbishop Ryan came up short for the second time in the pre-season, dropping this game by twenty to the Redskins of Neshaminy High. Not only was the team without its four time Catholic League Champion head coach Glen Galeone (in Chicago for his son's wedding) but also starting center senior Al Disante, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Wednesday. Defensive captain senior Taylor Cave filled in Disante’s absence on the offensive line. Cave also started at MLB and punter. His longest punt came in the second quarter on a fourth and one, traveling fifty yards. The game started as a defensive struggle, with the Redskins going three and out on their first drive. Ryan looked good early as senior Mike Siravo ran for a first down but then the Raiders made the first turnover of the game with a fumble by junior Nick Ferdinand. After another failed Redskin drive, featuring a Ryan sack by senior Mike Ramirez, the Raiders retained possession of the ball. Senior captain Bob Kilchrist carried the offense to two consecutive first down runs, but the drive quickly fizzled out and the Raiders were forced to punt. The Ryan defense once again held its own against the powerful Neshaminy attack, getting back the ball for the offense. Siravo and Kilchrist teamed up to ensure that this drive stayed alive with both rushing for a first down. Sophomore Rus “Sgt.” Slawter’s first completion of the game came with 8:38 left in the second quarter, finding junior Chris Wilk for a ten-plus yard gain. Wilk is the younger brother of senior captain Matt Wilk. Slawter’s next pass was overthrown in the direction of senior Rob McArdle. Then Slawter connected with Ferdinand for their second touchdown of the season. Ferdinand bounced back from his early mistake and went on to have an excellent game. Junior kicker Dan Stevens was successful on his PAT. Before halftime, the Raiders knocked on the door, leaving the ball inside the Neshaminy five-yard line. Confusion over an apparent Slawter fumble led to the clock to read all zeros. Still, the Raiders found themselves in the tough road atmosphere of Harry E. Franks Stadium leading seven to zero. Ryan’s first drive of the second half was highlighted by Kilchrist “rumbling and stumbling” for a hard-fought 16-yard gain. The drive then stalled on an unsuccessful fourth and one gamble. The Raider defense returned to the field after an excellent first two quarters, not allowing Neshaminy to establish much of an offense. But, this game was a tale of two halves, as on Neshaminy’s first drive they scored a touchdown on a 62-yard run. Senior Brett Olson then blocked the extra point, which maintained a Raider lead of seven to six. The ‘Skins next drive wound up deep in Raider territory until McArdle recovered a Neshaminy touchdown. The drive stalled quickly and the Raiders were forced to punt away. Yet again, Neshaminy found success on the ground. Senior Mike Marasheski halted a Neshaminy run to the outside, but the offense already picked up the first down needed to continue the drive. Then Neshaminy perfectly executed on a quarterback keeper, getting inside the Ryan thirty yard line. They stayed with what was working, continuing to run the football, this time as a misdirection for a 25 yard touchdown. The Redskins took a 12-7 lead, after failing on a two-point conversion. Ryan failed to answer back, punting after a three and out. Neshaminy didn’t pass up on the opportunity; throwing a 38-yard touchdown pass, which was followed by a successful two point conversion. The Redskins found themselves up 20-7 going into the fourth quarter. The Raiders fourth quarter offense was highlighted by Chris Wilk’s one-handed catch for a fifteen-yard gain. Ryan failed to score on the drive though. Neshaminy’s next drive featured the final scoring of the game, a 64-yard touchdown reception. The play was unbelievable, a short pass (probably about 15 yards) and then a couple broken tackles and one stiff arm later the Redskins scored their fourth touchdown of the game. Ryan’s final drive saw Senior Seth Magnana replace Slawter as quarterback.Overall, the defense looked great once again and the offense showed improvement. Once the offense can run on all cylinders, the team will do fine. Their final non-league game is Sept 16 at 1 pm.