It was losing that Ryan had trouble with. It's what honed his edge, it's why none of his five older siblings wantz to mess with little - oops, sorry - younger brother anymore.

No one in the Central League does, either.

The 6-2, 180-pound senior is the only two-way starter for Garnet Valley, starting at wide receiver and defensive back. You might not find Woods atop any statistical categories, but if there were a stat for game-changers, Woods would head that list.

He single-handedly won Garnet Valley's 28-27 comeback victory over Penncrest on Sept. 25, blocking an extra-point attempt and scoring the go-ahead touchdown. Defensively, he has four interceptions, while he's contributed offensively with 14 receptions for 250 yards, averaging 17.9 yards a catch, and four TDs. Woods is simple to understand: In big games, in key situations, he makes big plays.

"First of all, Ryan didn't start playing football until eighth grade, so he's come into the sport late," Jaguars coach Mike Ricci said. "But he's a very bright kid, and he listens and understands concepts. Add to that, he's very instinctive. He understands pass routes and spacing. You put all those intangibles together, he's definitely someone people have to consider where he is, when they game-plan against us. The bigger the game, the bigger he plays, he's definitely one of those types of players."

It's a far cry from the child who used to get jostled around by his older sisters, who both ran track and played basketball at Garnet Valley.

"They got me good, especially Jessica, because she's closer to me in age," Woods recalled. "They never gave me a break. I'm from a very competitive family. But I got older and bigger. They won't race me or play basketball against me now. But they pushed me a little harder, and I suppose it's what's made me more competitive."

Woods, who carries a 3.2 GPA and a 1,210 SAT score, is receiving attention from Princeton, Penn, Villanova, Columbia, Harvard, Lehigh and Lafayette. The Jags, at 7-1 overall, are locks for the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA playoffs, and might host a first-round game.

But Woods and his teammates have one major test coming Friday at 7 p.m. - a visit to Ridley, the Central League leader and the area's No. 1 team.

Woods has some interesting memories of last year's game, when he fumbled the opening kickoff (he recovered, but blew an open lane to run through), then came back to catch a 50-yard touchdown pass.

"I do like the pressure; it's a challenge to me," Woods conceded. "Ridley's a great team, and it's the type of game where you have to play your best to beat the best. I like those moments."

Still hanging in

But the Bulls have rebounded to win their last three, now sitting at 5-3 overall with an outside chance to make the district's AAAA playoffs, if they can beat Academy Park and Interboro. But it's a tightrope walk - one loss would probably spell postseason elimination.

Bulls coach Kevin Owens credits the defense, which has four shutouts, as a leading reason the Bulls are still in the playoff picture. Alex Rosario, a 6-2, 230-pound senior defensive end, and senior safety Alex Armistead (6-1, 170) have been vital cogs in the stubborn defense.

Rosario leads the team with 10 sacks and two blocked passes, and Armistead has made a number of important plays, not to mention calling out the secondary coverages.

"Our defense has kept us in games," Owens said. "The important thing is our kids never quit. People might say our kids quit, but they don't. They always play hard. It's a reason why we play such a competitive schedule. We know playing the Pennsburys and Downingtown Wests help us in the long run."

One shining moment

"It just meant a lot, with all the adversity we've faced, to keep showing up and practicing hard," Gallagher said. "It just confirms that we keep moving forward. We've rode the motto: Tough times won't last, tough people do."

Senior defensive tackle/offensive guard Zack Bissey, a starter since he was a sophomore, has been a big reason the effort and attitude has been so positive, Gallagher said.

Against Strath Haven, junior quarterback Andre Pergolese, who missed four games with a leg fractured, rushed for 110 yards, while sophomore tailback Mike Clancy rushed for 139 yards and a TD. The Fords (3-5 overall) have a chance to finish .500 this season.

"Two weeks ago, we knew we were getting our players back," Gallagher said. "We think reaching .500 is realistic. I am satisfied with the effort and attitude that these kids put out. They never quit. They allow us to appreciate coaching." *

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