Ramirez leads way for Bonner
IF YOU put a football in Tyler Ramirez' hands, don't expect him to keep it.
IF YOU put a football in Tyler Ramirez' hands, don't expect him to keep it.
He won't try to rumble for several yards. Won't try to whip it downfield. Won't even beg for the kicking block with the hope of nailing a PAT.
The 6-foot, 295-pound Ramirez, a senior guard and defensive tackle for Monsignor Bonner High, has never dreamed of playing a so-called skill position. In fact, getting such an opportunity would pretty much resemble a nightmare.
"I love what I do. No need to do anything else," Ramirez said. "Games are won on the offensive line."
Saturday night, in a non-league game at Wissahickon High, Ramirez and his fellow gruntsiteers were dominant as the Friars swamped Lansdale Catholic, 54-22. Bonner exploded for 438 yards on just 42 plays (10.4-yard average) and four of its drives required just eight plays total - two apiece of one and three.
Such dominance was achieved despite the absence of injured top rusher Ismir Gibson, who served as a ballboy and took ribbing all night, especially from fill-in Abraham Jaward, about never getting his job back.
Jaward ran eight times for 106 yards and one touchdown. After turning his first touch, on a punt return, into a 78-yard score, that is. Quarterback Jim Haley posted scores of 8 and 45 yards on his only two rushing chances while passing 8-for-15 for 149 yards and one six-pointer apiece to Jaward and Eric Womack.
"There can't be any excuses," Ramirez said. "No matter who's out there, we have to play how we play and do our best. If Ismir's not there, we have to block harder for who is.
"We had a comfortable feeling going in. The way Lansdale sets up their defense, well, that was perfect for how our o-line blocks."
Joining forces with Ramirez were center Dom DiGalbo, guard Josh LaMarra, tackles Tom Murtha and Angelo Masorli and tight end Joe Haley, Jim's brother.
"The guys appreciate our blocks," Ramirez said. "They love what we do for them and, hey, we love what they do for us. I'm good friends with all of them. In the huddle, it's always, 'C-mon, we need you guys,' and we always love coming through for them."
Recently, he needed to do likewise for his family.
Tyler lives with his mom, Ana, and sisters, Arielle and Ashley, in Drexel Hill. That's a new location, folks.
"We used to be in Upper Darby," he said. "I like to say it's right around the corner, though not really.
"We moved during training camp. So that was a hectic 3 days, lots of lifting, moving furniture, packing and unpacking boxes, plus with the football stuff mixed in. We rented a U-Haul truck. I helped my mom and sisters get situated in their rooms, then they did the same for me."
Arielle and Ashley are older than Tyler, by the way.
"They pick on me a little," he cracked.
Ramirez, who's also a shot-putter, has received preliminary interest from schools on all football levels. He'd like to major in business. Already he knows that pushing people out of the way is nowhere close to minor.
"With the guys up front, that's where it starts," he said.
