Grant’s Ryan Kowalski has become a high-achieving student of the game.
The senior linebacker put his stamp on the playoff-bound Bulldogs’ vastly improved defensive unit with a newly discovered devotion to preparation.
“He’s like having another coach on the field,” Grant coach Tim Norwood said. “You can easily tell he’s someone who does his homework and knows what the offense is trying to do. We rely on him to do a lot.”
And Kowalski has come through time and time again for the Bulldogs (6-3), who have qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2019 in their second winning season since 2012. Grant will play Northern Lake County Conference rival Wauconda (7-2), which won the regular-season matchup 27-24, in a Class 6A opener at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Asked about his leap forward in his second season as a starter, Kowalski doesn’t hesitate to point to his burgeoning love for film study.
“Even if I have downtime in class, I’ll throw on some film and look for tendencies for how we can hopefully get the upper hand,” he said. “Being prepared makes the game a lot easier. It takes away a lot of the nerves, and there aren’t any surprises.”
That wasn’t always the case last year, when Kowalski and his teammates hadn’t fully bought into every aspect of the system in Norwood’s first season. In eight games in 2022, not including a win by forfeit, the Bulldogs allowed 24.3 points per game.
Grant has given up 18.3 points per game this season, and if the 64 scored by unbeaten Antioch are removed, the average drops to 12.6. The Bulldogs have held four opponents under 10 points.
“I know for me last year, there were times that I was guessing at the line, and sometimes I went the wrong way,” Kowalski said. “This summer, we all locked in, and now there’s a culture of watching film and studying the playbook.”
Kowalski recalls being particularly on point during a 21-14 win against Glenbrook North on Sept. 1, and film study was the key.
“We noticed that if they down-blocked to your side, then the guard would take you right to the ball,” he said.
That’s where Kowalski has found himself a lot this season. He usually lines up on the strong side, but Norwood estimates Kowalski slots as a standup defensive end for about 30% of snaps.
That shift exploits Kowalski’s athleticism in helping set the perimeter and also rush the quarterback on pass plays. He had two sacks in a 24-7 win against Grayslake Central on Sept. 29 and had another sack in a 46-6 win against North Chicago last week.
“I really like playing end because there’s a different perspective,” Kowalski said. “There’s less going downhill and more staying in your gaps and going down the line.”
Kowalski’s sturdy presence at his linebacker spot is especially vital, since the other two starters in the group, Logan Myers and Matt Longabaugh, are sophomores. They’ve benefited greatly from having someone like Kowalski close at hand.
“Early in the season, I was really struggling with traps and going the wrong way,” Myers said. “He helped me read the line and focus on what’s going on in the backfield. It’s crazy how he knows everything that’s going to happen. He’s been a great role model for me.”
Kowalski would like this Grant team to be a role model for future ones.
“With us flipping our record, this has worked out pretty well,” he said. “It’s great for our community too. It gives people something good to do on Friday nights.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
More Top Picks Best Powered Subwoofers For Cars