Star freshman quarterback Ryan Rakowski, who currently holds offers from Ole Miss and SMU, has transformed the PVHS Football team in the short time that he has been at the school. Although Rakowski is just a freshman, he has been warmly received by all members of the team.
“Everybody has been really welcoming, especially teammates and coaches and it’s been really fun so far,” Rakowski said.
Many students on campus know Rakowski as the star quarterback for PVHS, but he is involved with many other activities outside of football.
“I like hanging out with my family, growing my faith and fantasy football,” Rakowski said.
As of Oct. 25, Rakowski has led PVHS to a 9-0 start while throwing for 1372 yards, 17 passing touchdowns, and only 2 interceptions so far. Rakowski also has ran for 217 yards while having two rushing touchdowns, and has Palos Verdes ranked at 31 for all high school teams in California by MaxPreps.
“We have had a really good start to the season, but we know we have a lot of work to do before playoffs start,” Rakowski said.
Rakowski has modeled his game after NFL greats, as he is trying his best to improve day by day.
“My favorite team is the Green Bay Packers, and my favorite players are Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes,” Rakowski said.
“I try to model my game after a few different players like Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes since they are able to do so much with improvising.”
When fans watch the games from the stands, they probably think that playing quarterback on the Varsity as a freshman comes with a big learning curve, but for Rakowski he credits his teammates and coaching staff.
“It hasn’t been much of an adjustment because my teammates have made plays to make me look good and our coaches put together a really good game plan every week which helps a lot,” Rakowski said. “Ryan has adjusted really well..obviously, that’s how his work ethic is,” coach Guy Gardner said.
“He just came in and worked, and the team was very receptive to him, he works hard and is a competitor.Ryan is a student of the game, he came in with a high football IQ and I think the growth has been learning his teammates, it’s just been growth as a team, him knowing them, and them knowing him.”
Rakowski has quickly become a leader for the PVHS team.
Gardner described Rakowski as “both a vocal leader and a leader by example, he talks when he has to, but it’s mainly his approach, it’s how he goes about things that shows.”
Sophomore Kavi Carlson described Rakowski as a “great, funny and supportive teammate who is extremely fun to play with.”
“One thing that many people don’t know about Ryan is that he was also a great baseball player,” Carlson said.
Rakowski will face the challenge of leading PVHS to a CIF title after PVHS fell to Yorba Linda last year in CIF play.
PVHS is now 9-0 with one last Bay League game against Peninsula High on Oct. 27.