![]() |
Ryan Cocciadiferro making another tackle. |
Williamsport, PA - I know the trip to Doylestown by heart. It takes me 2 1/2 hours from Williamsport. I head down route 15 to route 80. Hit the Pennsylvania turnpike then get on 309 and I am almost there. I have seen some strange things in Doylestown over the years, but this year, did you see what I saw?
What I saw was a young defensive freshman who was always in my camera lens. Almost every defensive shot, there he was. This freshman seems to have the football maturity of a senior captain. Energetic, aggressive, swarming, flying, smart. You name it and he was doing it. He is Ryan Cocciadiferro (Dumont, NJ/Dumont) and he is a good one.
Delaware Valley was Ryan's first start of the year. And he made it a good one. Seven tackles, five solo and two assists, one fumble recovery and a pass breakup. He looked good against the #17 team in the nation, Delaware Valley.
I know that Ryan has only played one game so far, but I have a good feeling about him. Even a veteran would enjoy stats that Ryan put up Saturday. He has what it takes; he has what I spotted in some of the great one over the years. All the best to Ryan in the games to come.
![]() |
'17 Sr DB Mike Ward |
- DB Mike Ward (Edgewater, Md. / South River) who finished his career with the Warriors as one of the top defensive players in program history, finishing sixth in school history with 263 career tackles … first player to lead the team in tackles for three straight years since Bill Small from 1989-91 … posted a career-high 88 tackles, notching three interceptions and six pass breakups … led the MAC and finished 19th in Division III with 6.3 solo tackles per game and finished fifth with 8.8 total tackles per contest … notched 45 tackles off rushes, 34 on passes, five on kickoffs and three on punt returns, all leading the team … finished seventh in the MAC with 0.9 passes defended and 11th with 0.3 interceptions per game … also forced and recovered a fumble … averaged 30.6 yards on seven kickoff returns, posting an 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at Stevenson … also forced an recovered a fumble at Stevenson … had career-high 15 tackles against Lebanon Valley and posted 10 or more stops three times … had a 32-yard interception return against Wilkes and a 41-yarder against Misericordia, two of his eight plays of more than 20-yard plays, which finished third on the team … a member of the MAC Academic Honor Roll.
- DB Tanner Troutman
'14 Sr DB Tanner Troutman - DB Kabongo Bukasa
'13 Sr DB Kabongo Bukasa
So did I really see what I thought I saw? Yes I did. I saw a young player wanting to become the best of his trade for the Lycoming Warriors. He got his opportunity and took advantage of it. He went all out. And there are others on this team who will make their mark this year. Come on out Saturday to see them.
Until the next one!
John Green '77