A new turf field is not the only thing under construction at Catholic. The Fightin’ Irish are building a football powerhouse.
“Our motto for the year is rise as one,” head coach Steve Hancock says. “So we hope everyone gets better every day in practice every day.”
Their quarterback and safety, Tyson Riley, is leading that charge after a strong sophomore season on both sides of the ball. He helped Catholic claim a share of its first ever COC Small title while winning six games last year.
“Personal goals? Expand my passing game and get 1,000 rushing yards,” he says of his offensive game. Last season he ran for 821 yards while throwing for 362 and scored 21 touchdowns. “I don’t really have any defensive goals, but I want to be a team guy. I want to win the state championship and win the conference again.”
Riley enters the season as a third-team all-state defensive back and co-defensive MVPÂ of the COC Small.
“Who doesn’t like to score touchdowns?” Riley said. “But all of the accolades are on defense so you’ve got to like defense, too.”
You’ve also got to like the personality that shines through his game, from the handshakes to the dances. That’s part of who he is on the field and in practice.
“If anyone’s ever met my dad you know he’s a serious person and he doesn’t really like that, but that’s how I am.”
Ozzie Riley played college football at Arkansas before a long coaching career that began at Missouri State. Now he coaches defensive line at Catholic, and gets a front row seat to his son’s blossoming talent.
“He’s a lot more talented than I was in high school or even in college.”
The celebrations?
“I can truly say without a doubt he did not get that from me,” the elder Riley says with a smile. But maybe he’ll take credit for the football instincts and playmaking ability that make Tyson Riley our breakout player of the year.
