Raiders stopped short: Archbishop Wood got revenge on Ryan for last season’s loss, pulverizing Samir Bullock (above) and the Raiders in a 47–14 rout to open Class AAA division play. At 2–3, Ryan still has playoff expectations. BILL ACHUFF / FOR THE TIMES
When your mom and dad and numerous relatives attended the same high school, your allegiance is pretty well determined long before you finish eighth grade.
So when his days at Somerton’s St. Christopher grade school concluded, Colin Regan was already mentally prepared to attend Archbishop Ryan. His main objectives included getting good grades and becoming involved with athletics, especially football.
Now a senior, Regan has accomplished both. He has maintained solid grades, and for the past two years he has started at linebacker for a once-prominent program that appears to have regained relevance in the always rugged Catholic League.
So that would explain the reaction of Regan and his teammates following Friday night’s 47–14 demolition at the hands of undefeated Archbishop Wood at William Tennent High School. After the game, no one felt like speaking. Understandably, they just wanted to get on the bus and, consistent with how the game had gone following an early defensive three-and-out from the Raiders’ defense, head south.
“No one said anything,” Regan said. “No one talked at all. We were pretty upset.”
Regan said he appreciated the opportunity to be interviewed over the weekend as opposed to the customary post-game chat. Emotions were running high, and both body and ego were bruised.
Because despite being able to say that they competed hard against a team that last year captured both the Catholic League Class AAA and state championships, Archbishop Ryan (2–3) wanted more.
That, in itself, was a great sign; the Raiders had expected to win a game that few figured they would.
“We were devastated and kind of shocked,” Regan said. “It wasn’t a question of toughness or anything like that. We just made too many mistakes. We had some coverage problems and we were not making tackles. It wasn’t so much what they did than what we didn’t do.”
As the oldest of five siblings, Regan has learned that leadership accompanies accepting full responsibility for one’s actions — or non-actions. Thus, when it comes to being upfront and not making excuses, Regan expects that of himself, his teammates and his coaches.
That would include sixth-year head coach Frank McArdle. A 2000 Ryan graduate, McArdle is close friends with Regan’s family, particularly his uncle. He vividly recalls the day Regan was born and how pleased he was when he chose to attend Ryan.
A model student and exemplary citizen, Regan has become a fixture in the Ryan community.
“He is quiet and leads by example,” McArdle said. “He’s a great kid and comes from a great family. He will do whatever is asked of him. He’s very competitive and works extremely hard.”
Regan’s first role models, father Michael and mother Lacey (nee Downs), are 1996 Ryan alums. They have had to rely on their eldest to set a good example for the youngsters who range in grades from pre-kindergarten to eighth.
As for the many times that he has had to nix hanging out with friends in favor of providing some sibling sitting, Regan isn’t complaining.
“It helped me grow up faster, but that’s OK,” he said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
However, what he would have another way is Archbishop Ryan having another chance to play Wood (5–0), which could occur in the postseason should the Raiders advance for the first time in what seems like ages.
Last year, the Raiders stunned the Vikings — and Class AAAA state champion St. Joseph’s Prep — in successive weeks. Unfortunately, a three-game losing streak midway through the season already had severed any chance of Ryan reaching the playoffs.
“We were ecstatic to beat both of them,” Regan said. “I really think that if we had made the playoffs, we would have gone on and won the whole thing.”
Might last year’s 22–7 Ryan victory have helped induce Archbishop Wood’s rout? Regan understands if it did.
“If I was on Archbishop Wood, I know that I would want to (avenge) last year’s loss,” he said. “But last year was legitimate. And if we can have another chance at them, I don’t see why we couldn’t do it again. But we have to get there first.”
Next up for the Raiders is a meeting with AAA opponent Bonner-Prendergast, which will come into the contest undefeated.
“This will definitely be a crucial game,” Regan said. “We definitely need to win that one.” ••
