Today, CFC features class 2012 star defensive lineman from the St. Michael’s Kerry Blues, Ryan Searle. Ryan began playing football with the peewee Etobicoke Eagles.
Ryan Searle
Positions:
Defensive Line (from end to nose), Offensive Line
Height/Weight:
6’4, 240 lbs
Teams:
St. Michael’s Kerry Blues (high school)
Toronto Jr. Argos (varsity/junior varsity)
Etobicoke Eagles (peewee)
Team Ontario East
Commitment:
Commitment to Guelph
Class:
2012
In 2007, Ryan stepped onto the field with his first football team, the peewee Etobicoke Eagles. Additionally, the defensive lineman played for the junior varsity Toronto Jr. Argos and eventually made move up to the varsity ranks.
In his grade eight year, the defensive lineman started a very successful high school career with the St. Michael’s Kerry Blues. Ryan was part of the Blues team that won a junior Metro Bowl title in 2008 and were runners-up in 2009.
Winning the Bowl title is the highlight of the Blues standout’s career.
“The guys on the team we had were awesome and extremely talented,” adds Ryan. “To this day, I still believe we could have beaten anyone.”
Most recently, Ryan participated as a member of Team Ontario East at the Football Canada Cup in Lethbridge, Alberta. Moreover, the Blues defensive lineman also played for the GTA Rising Stars.
Over the years, Ryan has been lucky to have many individuals who have made an impact on his life on and off the field. One of them is York Lions and Team Ontario East assistant head coach Tom Norwell. While at the Football Canada Cup in July, Norwell spent a lot of time instructing the star defensive end.
“He must have been the most intense coach I’ve ever been around,” says Ryan. “He always pushed me and he is a big reason why I did so well this past season.”
Blues defensive coach Joe Cappiello has been instructing Ryan since grade nine. The style of Ryan’s defensive game has been crafted by all the tools Cappiello taught him.
“Coach Joe really made the game fun for me with all of his comical remarks on the field and it always let me know that it’s not all hard work and that it’s all played for the fun and love of the game,” comments the graduating Blues defensive lineman.
However, the most influential people in Ryan’s life are his parents.
“They always help me out when I need it and they have also helped guide me along the way through high school especially with football,” comments Ryan. “They are the ones who always push me to get good marks and they also kept me from having a bad attitude.”
As for his plans once he graduates from high school, the Blues defensive lineman will pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in political science while continuing his football career at the University of Guelph.
“I chose Guelph because it was just the best fit for me the coaching staff is wonderful and to be honest I was just following my heart on the decision,” adds the future Gryphons player.
Overall, football has reinforced Ryan’s values on work ethic on and off the field.
“Football is a game that requires one to be absolutely dedicated if you want to succeed and it also works that way in things such as school,” explains Ryan. “If you want to do well you have to work.”
“I’m just a hard worker who will get the job done on the field and not just that but I’ll do it better than anyone else and if I don’t then I will work until I do.”
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