H.D. Woodson quarterback Ricardo Young (center with hand up) is looking to lead to the Warriors back to the DCIAA title game next month.
It’s no secret that Ricardo Young holds the key to H.D. Woodson High’s football team. And he wouldn’t want it any other way.
“It all starts with me,” said Young standing on McKinley Tech’s field last week after helping the Warriors to victory. It’s that confidence that has made Young the top quarterback in the DCIAA.
Young, who will lead H.D. Woodson into Friday evening’s key East division matchup with Ballou, has passed for 1,291 yards and 13 touchdowns. Warriors coach Greg Fuller said his three-year varsity performer has full command.
“It’s totally different with Ricardo, he’s a veteran,” said Fuller of his 6-foot-1, 180-pound signal caller. “The offense is much better when Ricardo is at the helm. Anybody can see that.”
Young guided three fourth quarter scoring drives Friday as H.D. Woodson pulled away to a 29-6 decision. He sat the first half as punishment for showing up late for the team bus, something Young was embarrassed about.
“I got to be more responsible,” said Young, who finished nine of 12 for 159 yards. “Normally, I set the tempo, but the team reacts a little differently when I’m not out there. We’re successful when we’re out there as one unit.”
Young warms up before the second half of last Friday's game against McKinley Tech. In seven games, Young has passed for nearly 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns.
In last year’s Turkey Bowl at Eastern where the Warriors knocked off Dunbar for the DCIAA title, it was a showcase for Young. A year after throwing three interceptions in his team’s 20-9 Turkey Bowl loss to Dunbar, he kept the Crimson Tide defense on its heels with his arm and legs, scoring three rushing touchdowns and passed for 139 yards.
The performance didn’t come as a surprise for Rodney Cephas, who’s mentored Young since he was six years old when he joined Cephas’ Beacon House youth football program.
“Even though he was young, he was a student of the game,” said Cephas. “He knew how to throw and read coverages. We didn’t have to teach him too much.”
“I really didn’t like football, but he [Cephas] encouraged me to get out there and play with older guys and I haven’t looked back,” said Young. “I just felt I wanted to be the best on the field. To make it happen, I had to put in more time and work harder than the next person.”
Young said he’s improved his pocket awareness and ability to throw accurately on the run. During the spring, Young gave a verbal commitment to reigning Atlantic Coast Conference champ Virginia Tech.
“Their system fits me with the pass-run option,” said Young. “It’s family oriented and not too far.”
Home in D.C., Young wants to lead the Warriors to another Turkey Bowl title. H.D. Woodson last won back-to-back DCIAA crowns in 1993 and 1994.
“It’s my third year and I know how things go. I know everybody looks to me to make a play when we’re down or the game’s close,” said Young. “I’m confident the team is going to do what’s necessary to get the ball in my hands.”
“If Ricardo does what he suppose to do, I can see us going,” said Fuller. “If he doesn’t, it’s going to be a long rest of the season.”
Cephas said Young has been prepared for this type of challenge.
“He wants to be the best, he wants to lead everybody. His grades and test scores, he’s not going to settle for anything less,” said Cephas. “He loves the limelight. There are distractions, but he loves it.”
RICARDO YOUNG'S GAME-BY-GAME PASSING
Aug. 28 vs. GlenOak (OH): 4-of-9, 75 yards, 1 INT
Sept. 4 vs. Thomas Jefferson (PA): 7-of-13, 116 yards, 3 INTs
Sept. 11 vs. St. Edward’s (OH): 10-of-17, 193 yards
Sept. 18 vs. Theodore Roosevelt: 23-of-34, 379 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
Sept. 26 vs. Coolidge: 11-of-19, 180 yards, 2 TDs
Oct. 2 vs. Friendship Collegiate: 12-of-28, 189 yards, 4TDs
Oct. 9 vs. McKinley Tech: 9-of-12, 159 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
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