Father Ryan Plays Freefalling Baylor

Williamson County FootballBy Zachary Harmuth

Father Ryan finishes the regular season with a home game against district opponent Baylor this Friday.

The playoff picture is not clear, but what is clear is that if Father Ryan hopes to have a better seeding in the AA Division II postseason tournament, or even get a first round bye,  it must win this game against Baylor.

The Fightin’ Irish are 6-3, and 3-2 in AA Division II, and coming off a win against McCallie last Friday. Baylor is 5-4, and 2-3 in AA Division II, coming off a loss at Ensworth last week.

The way Father Ryan has been playing it should be able to count this as a likely win.

Its defense and running game have been dominant most of the season, and there is no reason to expect otherwise Friday.

Father Ryan averages about 195 rushing yards per game, led by Joseph Holzmer’s 503 this season. Dekeivis Perry has added 290 rushing, along with 217 receiving on the season.

Tyler Shoop leads the team in receiving with 266 yards and 5 touchdowns.

On defense Max Stoffer has 117 tackles, leading the team by far, while Robert Crawford leads the team with 4.5 sacks.. Andrew Rector has 6 of the team’s 15 interceptions while Billy Nipp has 4 fumble recoveries.

Both teams allow about 17 points per game on defense this season, but Father Ryan scores almost four more points per game, about 31 to 27.  Father Ryan is on a two game winning streak, Baylor a three game losing streak.