Danny Celins isn’t afraid to try new things.
Especially on the football field.
Celins is a senior on the Archbishop Ryan High School football team, and he’s mostly at home when he’s playing tight end and defensive end.
But growing up in Bensalem, due to his size and speed, he wasn’t trying to kill the passer. He was the one everyone was trying to kill.
“I played quarterback when I was younger, and freshman year, but I’m not a quarterback, that’s not my position,” Celins said. “I don’t know, I wasn’t the best, I was playing youth ball, our QB left, so I was given the role. I think I got it mostly because I was tall and athletic. I didn’t really like playing quarterback. I like playing defensive end and tight end. Quarterback is a tough job. I did it because we needed it more than anything.”
Celins might not play that position anymore, but he still has that attitude.
It’s why he’s moved to a new spot this year, at least for a few weeks.
Celins moved over one spot from tight end to left tackle after the Raiders offensive line was shaken up with an injury.
So instead of running routes and hauling in passes, he’s lining up across from some of the biggest and baddest defensive ends in the Catholic League.
“I’m primarily a tight end and defensive end, but after we had an injury week one, I had to switch to left tackle, so it’s been a lot different,” Celins said. “We had a guy get a concussion, so I’ll play until he’s out of protocol. It wasn’t something I wanted to do, but it’s the right thing for the team so I wanted to do it.
“Whatever it takes to win, that’s kind of the mindset. I’m obviously a senior, a varsity player and a captain. The coaches trust me to step up, so I’m going to do it. I’ll do it for a few weeks until we’re back. It’s not something I wanted to do, but I know I can do it.”
Celins might be a skilled guy on offense, but on defense he’s been playing in the pit for years, so he knows what to do. In fact, playing defensive end probably gives him a huge advantage at playing tackle on offense.
“I’m not as big as a lot of the guys, so I try to use technique,” said Celins, who stands 6 feet 6 and weighs about 220 pounds. “It’s funny, but yeah, what I do (when playing tackle) is what I don’t like what they do when I’m playing defensive end.
“It’s a lot different than playing tight end. Especially in our offense, I run outside routes a lot. So blocking is a lot different, but I know the game. I love football, and I’ve been playing for years. I have good football knowledge and I think that helps me a lot. I know what to do and I’m working hard.”
So far, the Raiders have had a good season, and the hope is to have one that was as fruitful as last year when Ryan won the Catholic League Blue Division.
Ryan defeated Father Judge in the opening game of the season, but evened its record after falling to Bonner-Prendergast during the second week of the season.
The Raiders will play Cardinal O’Hara, a third Catholic League Red Division foe, to prepare for their divisional schedule. Playing against the bigger schools should have the Raiders exactly where they want to be when the season begins.
“We can go back to back and win the division again in my opinion,” Celins said. “If we get healthy, it’s definitely possible. Beating Judge shows we can be a good team. They definitely wanted to win. They play so many good teams, they’re a good team. If we’re beating Judge, it means we’re a decent team.
“For sure (playing against bigger teams during the preseason) helps. We won the division last year because we played tough teams in the preseason. That’s why we do it. We have a big chance at going back to back.”
Celins has big plans for the rest of football season. He has plans beyond the fall, too.
He’s been a bowler for Ryan since freshman year. Last year he added defender on the Ryan lacrosse team to his resume.
After high school, he hopes to continue playing football. His interests are in sports medicine and sports management.
His future could also be on the football field.
On top of playing football, Celins helps coach at Bensalem, where his stepfather is the head coach. During the season he’s only able to go when his practice schedule allows it, but during the summer, he runs a team in the Bensalem inhouse seven-on-seven league.
One of the players he’s helped is his brother Rider, a 13-year-old quarterback. His brother hopes that changes someday.
“He loves quarterback, I think because that’s what I did and he wants to do what I did,” Celins said. “He has the perfect body for a defensive lineman and offensive lineman. He has the perfect build. I love helping him, I love helping them all. It always makes my day seeing them become better players.
“I think that’s what makes me a better player, I’m a smart player, because I love the game so much. If I could study anything, it would be football. I just love the game. I love playing it, I love coaching it. I would love to coach, it’s something I really enjoy. I would love to do it as a job.”
