Tantramar Titan junior, Ryan ‘Caddy’ Cadman, played left guard for the 2015 and 2016 undefeated championship seasons with the CFC50 No. 25 nationally ranked, Tantramar Titans in New Brunswick. Both titles were won with an old school power run offense. The Titans specialty was the jet sweep, meaning Cadman often pulled and trapped, setting up running lanes for CFC100 Aidan O’Neal.
An even 6 feet and 260 pounds, Cadman is extremely quick on his feet. He moves laterally along the line with a gracefulness seldom seen in big men. Seeing him pull and turn upfield reminds me of a circus bear I once saw on roller skates, smooth, but deadly.
He attributes his fast feet and balance to his love of dancing. “I learned to dance before I could crawl!”, he reflected,”knowing how to open your hips and move your feet, totally helps me play. So much of O line is knowing what steps you make to execute a play” he explained. “The T step, draw step or check step, it’s just like learning dance steps.”
Cadman didn’t start his freshman year, he took on a lead role in the schools musical production of Grease. Naturally, his teammates nicknamed him ‘Choir Boy’ and took good spirited shots at him. Cadman took it in stride remarking, “The guys can laugh all they want, I always know where my feet are, and when you know that, you don’t lose your balance, and then it’s hard for someone to throw you and make you look like a fool”.
The ‘choir boy’ earned a starting position his sophomore season, and once his teammates saw what he could do on the field, ‘choir boy’ was no longer. He was now simply known as “Caddy”.
Cadman grew up in Dorchester, NB, a rural coastal village tucked along the harsh Fundy coastline. It’s a seasonal home to swarms of migrating sandpipers, but most traffic in and out of town is from the Federal Prison, which also calls Dorchester home.
Cadman explains there is an impression about people from small towns and has personally devoted himself to proving them wrong.
“You can come from small humble beginnings and make something of yourself. I’m not ashamed of being from dorchester, it’s a badge i wear proudly.”
Kids in town busy themselves without malls and posh playgrounds.”There wasn’t a basketball or hockey team, we don’t have a grocery store. Growing up in dorchester, its more than just a village, its a family” he adds.
Kids in Dorchester and other out lying communities could play football in Sackville, providing they have a drive. Students from scattered rural communities, like Dorchester, had that ride when they started high school at Tantramar, but with a reputable minor league in Sackville, kids dreamed of playing as soon as they could.
In the 7th grade, Cadman began playing for the Titans because his Grandpa was able to get him to practices and games.”My Papa was always at the house waiting for me; to take me and pick me up. He would always wait for me.”
Cadman’s Grandfather was struck with cancer when he was 11. During his hospital stays he would stay with his Grandma so she wouldn’t be alone.”It was hard on her when my Papa passed, I wanted to take care of her, I was there as often as I could be to do that for her. ”
Last April, Cadman’s beloved Nan passed away. Devastated by her loss, Cadman began drifting away from his passions, especially football. With August came the Titan’s camp where Caddy arrived out of shape and ‘checked out’.
“He wasn’t all in. Not even a quarter in, he was ninety percent out” recalled Coach O’Neal.
Everyone grieves alone, and so perhaps no one truly knew the depth of Cadman’s sadness. He was missing practices and was vocal with teammates about having doubts about being able to play. “When my Nana passed, it kept me from doing things I loved, including football” he explained.
Despite his pain, Cadman stayed, solidifying the line.
“What kept him in, I’m not sure” recalls Coach O’Neal. “Being around his buddy’s, and having the seniors pull him in?” These were both factors. But it is his love of, and his concept of family that brought him back with a vengeance.
“Those guys out there, they’re my brothers, we’re family. I stood shoulder to shoulder with them and battled, that’s what family does for each other.” said Cadman. “My Papa and my Nana meant so much to me, he took me to football. And playing was something I did to make them proud, and I just continued doing it for them. Every down I let their memory light that fire in me.”
Cadman started all season and shared reps at interior defensive line. Coaches were impressed with his progress, yet still concerned he could deteriorate as the season dragged on.
Coach O’Neal recalled the day he was no longer concerned of Caddy’s commitment. It was late in October, on a cold and grey afternoon, when Cadman practiced with the flu.
“He was in the woods, on his hands and knees puking. I told him to go home and rest. He told me ‘I’m not leaving, I want this’.” I knew then Caddy was back. I knew ‘then’ he was in.” states Coach O’Neal.
The Titan’s went on to reclaim the provincial title over the Leo Hayes Lions with an explosive offensive attack led by Cadman and his linemates.
Next season will be Cadman’s final act as a Titan. Aware he is the sole remaining offensive lineman of a squad that dominated New Brunswick’s trenches the past two seasons, Cadman knows his coaches and teammates have big expectations for him.
Coach O’Neal reflected on Cadman’s final season matter of factly. “Caddy’s the last guy from that line standing, he has to realize he has to be a leader on this team” he says.
“Next season will be the peak of my time here. I have to fill the boots of all the guys graduating. Next year is when I can finally play to my full potential. I get to help fill the boots of all the guys who are leaving. Next year I can finally show who I am and where I’m from.”
When asked what his goals for next year are, he didn’t mention going undefeated nor winning a third title, but that he hopes to play in a way to make his Nana and Papa “right proud of me”.
Something tells me they already are.
Ryan ‘Caddy’ Cadman
OL
6’0, 260lbs
Teams: Tantramar Titans
Official Visits: none
Consideration: open
Commitment: none
Class: 2017
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