Q&A Ryan Maxwell
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Photos: Rod Veal |
Ryan Maxwell is a hard guy to catch on the football field.
The Santa Margarita senior has been timed as fast as 4.41 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Santa Margarita has put that speed to good use in going from unranked in the county preseason poll to sixth in this week's rankings heading into Friday's game against Fountain Valley.
Maxwell has played wide receiver, running back, safety and returned kickoffs and punts.
Entering Friday, Maxwell had rushed for 132 yards, caught seven passes for 130 yards and returned five punts for 132 yards and a touchdown. He also had returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown.
The Register's Dan Albano caught up with Maxwell recently to talk about his speed, special teams and the Eagles' fast start.
Question: Are you a natural speedster or is it something you've had to build up to with hard work?
Answer: I think I originally had ability but I've been running track and training, actually, since I was in the sixth grade. I pay a lot (of credit) to my track coach (Dave Zeitler), and we've had a great strength and conditioning coach, John Davis, who has gotten me a lot more explosive this year.
Q: Did your team imagine it could beat Long Beach Poly, put 50 points up against Paloma Valley and then play pretty solidly to beat Dorsey?
A: We knew we were pretty young, but our group of guys has such a good work ethic. ... We've just worked so hard, more than the past years. Everyone is doing it with a positive attitude. We didn't have any doubts that we were going to be a great football team just through effort and the way we performed through the offseason.
Q: Is the team playing with a chip on its shoulder in terms of respect?
A: Originally, we were pretty bummed that we weren't ranked high but that only got us more amped to play all these good teams. Now that we see we're kind of moving up, we don't really try to think about that because we don't want that chip on our shoulder. ... Our whole team doesn't play with ego, and I think that's why we're winning all our games. Everyone is playing for the team and not for themselves.
Q: Who's your favorite NFL or college player?
A: I'd like to say Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers. Five (foot), 10 (inches) receiver and he gets it done.
Q: How's your recruiting looking and what positions are schools looking for you at?
A: My main colleges that are looking at me right now are Notre Dame, Oregon and Colorado State. Colorado State has offered me a scholarship. They're (all three schools) looking at me as a slot receiver and also a punt returner
Q: What were the key elements to your 74-yard punt return for a touchdown against Dorsey?
A: Well, the previous play before it (a punt return) was called back, so they (Dorsey) kind of knew exactly what we were doing, but we switched directions what way we were going to set up the return. We caught the ball, and I broke a couple tackles. I just followed all my lead blockers, and it was just a perfect alley.
Q: How does it feel after a play like?
A: It feels amazing, to be honest.... It looks so easy out in the field but we've put so much hard work into actually scheming up that type of return.
Q: Against Poly, you had a 56-yard punt return and a 48-yard kickoff return. How much emphasis do you guys put on special teams?
A: Our special teams coordinator, John Rodriguez, is a great special teams coordinator. We practice it almost every day - whether we're doing film or out on the field scheming it up. Santa Margarita feels that special teams are just as important as offense and defense, and I feel the same way.
Q: Do you ever get any sense that other teams you play don't place as much importance on special teams?
A: I think every team puts some emphasis on it, but I think not as much as we do. ... We're always working on it. Coach Rodriguez is always putting in new things to catch the teams off guard.
Q: When we see you return a punt 74 yards for a touchdown, are you the kind of runner who is at top speed right away or are you pacing yourself and waiting to turn it on?
A: I run track. Whether it be in the 100-, 200- or 400-meter dash, I'll actually be accelerating more and more throughout the race. I won't always be beating people right off the blocks. I always keep running. I'm usually up to full speed, actually around probably 25 yards.
By Dan Albano
Saturday, September 30, 2006
The Orange County Register - Varsity 1
