Durant Junior, Michael Ryan, set four school records this football season.
Single Season passing yards – 1,927, Single Season Passing touchdowns, 24, Career Passing Yards – 3,582, and Career Total Touchdowns – 43.
You set Durant High School records with single-season pass yards, passing touchdowns, as well as career pass yards and total touchdowns. Is there a certain record you’re most proud of breaking?
Answer: The record I am most proud of breaking is the single-season passing yards, this one means a lot because it was set 23 years ago in 2000.
Your seasonal numbers improved from the 22-23 season, what was your most notable way of developing going from a sophomore to a junior?
Answer: Probably experience. Last year I was young and inexperienced. That was only my second year playing QB, and even though it turned out to be a good season, there was definitely a lot of learning that year. This season I was ready to take control and it turned out even better than last year.
What are your goals for you personally for your senior year? On and off the field.
Answer: On the field, I would like to break 2,000 passing yards on the season along with 30 touchdowns and I want to make it even further in the playoffs and possibly compete for a state title. Off the field, I would like to get all A’s on my report card and focus on degree programs and where I want to be.
What are your goals for the Cougars as a team for your senior years?
Answer: My goal for the team is to go deeper in the playoffs. We were a young team this year and most of the starters were sophomores and juniors, so it is almost the same team as last year. So, I truly believe we can go much deeper in the playoffs next year.
Now that it’s “offseason,” what are you doing in your free time?
Answer: Now that it is offseason I am training and lifting to be the best that I can possibly be for this team next season. I am also studying film from both years and looking for what I can improve on for next season.
What’s the best advice you’ve gotten from Coach Claybo or a different Durant coach?
Answer: Coach Buggs always says to me focus on my craft and to do the important stuff. He tells me what to do and what not to do. He is a great mentor and helps me stay focused on the field. Also, Coach Claybo’s pregame speeches always have good advice, he has a saying “ride the middle” which means when you make a good or bad play no matter what stay calm until the game is over.
How’s it like having your dad on the sideline for all the games?
Answer: It’s cool having my dad on the sideline for the games. He takes pictures for everyone and everyone loves him.
Did you have a favorite memory from your junior season?
Answer: My favorite moment from my junior season was the Sumner game when I threw the game-winning touchdown to Demari with only 2 seconds left. We went into that game as huge underdogs with everyone doubting us saying Sumner was going to beat us. To beat them that way at the end like that after a huge 4th quarter comeback felt amazing.
What’s your favorite game day songs to get you locked in?
Answer: California Breeze- lil baby
No Friends In The Industry- Drake
Do you play any other sports for Durant? If so what sport?
Answer: I am looking forward to doing track this year.