Patrick Ryan plays the Haddonfield way, powers Haddons into title game

HADDONFIELD – Patrick Ryan will make a college coach very happy someday.

Frank DeLano guarantees it.

“If he’s not an All-South Jersey player, I don’t know who’s picking the team,” the head coach of the Haddonfield Memorial High School football team said about his senior linebacker/tight end. “I will pound the pavement, I will pound any desk across America (for colleges to take notice of Ryan).

“The kid can play football. You can talk about his 40 time or twitchiness. Just put the tape in and do it the old-fashioned way, watch this kid play. Don’t tell me Patrick Ryan isn’t an elite football player.”

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Ryan provided plenty of impressive video material during Haddonfield’s 17-7 win over Gloucester in the South Jersey Group 2 semifinal on Friday.

Ryan racked up a pair of interceptions and delivered a huge hit on a fourth-down stop at the Haddons’ 1-yard line, but it was his hustle on a play that he ran 80 yards to make a tackle and prevent the tying touchdown that might have been the most impressive feat of the game.

“One-hundred percent,” Ryan said if that was the biggest play of the game. “That play defines who we are as a football team. We can make those plays and we show the willingness to complete the job.”

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With Haddonfield holding a 14-7 lead and Gloucester backed up on its own 2 in the fourth quarter, Gloucester star running back Mason Widman busted through the line and looked destined for the end zone. Ryan never gave up on the play and dragged Widman down at the Haddonfield 7. Instead of a potential tying score, it was a 91-yard run. Four plays later, Ryan and three members of the Haddonfield defensive line stacked up a running back at the 1-yard line.

Haddonfield marched down the field and iced the game when Blaise Coley booted a 27-yard field goal for a 17-7 lead with under a minute to play.

Ryan, who would deliver a huge hit on the ensuing kickoff, would end the game with his second pick of the game. While he might have been able to turn the play into a pick-6, he dropped to a knee and ended the game.

What’s it mean?

Second-seeded Haddonfield (9-1), winners of four straight, will travel to top-seeded Rumson-Fair Haven (6-4) for the South Jersey Group 2 championship.

Gloucester fell to 8-2, losing for the first time since its season opener. The Lions will complete their season with a Turkey Day showdown against crosstown rival Gloucester Catholic.

Haddonfield improved to 6-1 in games against Gloucester, a series that began in 1920.

No revenge needed

One would think Haddonfield would have been salivating for revenge against Gloucester, a team that bounced the Haddons from last year’s postseason with an 14-13 upset.

That wasn’t the case.

“Coach DeLano said it perfectly before the game: It’s not a revenge tour, you don’t want revenge, it’s a new team in a new year,” Haddonfield quarterback Declan McCarthy said. “We just came out to play our game. This is our team, a new team.”

Ryan added, “This team has a new identity. We had great chemistry all day.”

DeLano called it a privilege to be around this team all season and hopes there’s still plenty more time to spend with them.

“These kids don’t want the journey to end,” DeLano said.

Haddonfield’s dual-threat weapon

McCarthy provided the perfect description of his running style.

“I like to refer to myself as a fullback that can throw the ball,” McCarthy said with a huge smile. “That’s how I run.”

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound quarterback likes to dish out big-time hits when he’s running the football. McCarthy appeared to have a game-tying touchdown when he bowled over a defender to gain access to the end zone. After the play was called back because of a holding penalty, McCarthy ran the same play again and scored a touchdown. He finished with 10 carries for a career-high 79 yards.

“It’s kinda funny because I always get told not to do that (look for contact) because there is some risk of injury,” McCarthy said. “I’m a quarterback, but I also play linebacker too. I like to hit.”

McCarthy, who doubles as a linebacker on defense, certainly isn’t easy to bring down. Just ask Ryan.

“I tried to tackle him a couple of times this summer and it didn’t go too well,” Ryan said. “That’s 235 (pounds) running right at your chest. I don’t know how many people want to step in front that.”

McCarthy also showed off his power arm, completing a go-ahead touchdown pass to Charlie Klaus in the third quarter.

Game notes

Gloucester’s Widman rushed for 201 yards on 24 carries. It was the second time he eclipsed the 200-yard mark in a game and raised his season rushing total to 1,245.

It’s gotta be the shoes: Haddonfield hasn’t lost since a donator provided each member of the team with florescent green spikes. The Haddons are 4-0 with the glowing cleats.

“We’re kind of a superstitious group,” McCarthy said. “I love the way they look with our uniforms.”

Tom McGurk is a regional sports reporter for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 30 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him at (856) 486-2420 or email tmcgurk@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Haddonfield checks into South Jersey Group 2 title game