A position change took Neuqua Valley’s Ryan Mascari by surprise last year.
A longtime tight end who showed promise as a sophomore, Mascari was moved to right tackle when the Wildcats needed reinforcements on the offensive line last season.
“I worked all summer in the offseason to be a tight end but then got switched after our first game,” he said. “I had no experience playing the position. I tried to take it in stride because I knew it was best for my teammates and team. I’m a team-centered guy. I just worked hard.”
But that wasn’t the only change for Mascari, who also played on the defensive line despite having little experience there.
“We had some injuries, so I stepped up and played a good amount on the defensive line,” he said.
Mascari became a reliable two-way player, setting the stage for his senior season. He is one of the bright spots for Neuqua Valley (0-3, 0-1), which will play Homewood-Flossmoor in a Southwest Valley Blue Conference game on Friday.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Mascari has five sacks among his seven tackles for loss and returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown against Lockport last week.
“Ryan has absolutely played very well for us,” Neuqua Valley coach Bill Ellinghaus said. “He’s been productive on both sides of the ball. He’s arguably our best offensive lineman and one of our best defensive linemen. He’s found a way to stay on the line all the time. I give him a ton of credit for that.”
Mascari, who also plays rugby, has obviously adapted well.
“The game has slowed down for me,” he said. “I’m starting to feel more comfortable about playing on defense. With each game, I’m getting better and better and playing at a high level not even I expected.”
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Neuqua Valley senior quarterback Kiet Truong pointed to Mascari’s commitment to football.
“Despite playing rugby in the spring, Ryan was one of two guys to have a perfect attendance during our offseason morning lifts at our school at 5:30 a.m. four days a week, from November until school is out,” Truong said. “I think his hard work off the field contributes to his leadership. It’s easy for guys to follow the biggest and most experienced player, but I think Ryan is way more than that.”
Ellinghaus also appreciates Mascari’s leadership. Mascari is a team captain this season.
“He’s a tremendous leader,” Ellinghaus said. “He’s probably our most vocal leader and also leads by example.”
Truong said younger players have noticed Mascari’s team-first attitude.
“He might be the most unselfish player that I’ve ever played with,” Truong said. “Just having to switch from tight end to a lineman is not an easy task. He never complained and did a great job when he was moved. He also brings energy in his leadership, which makes everyone else around him better.”
Neuqua Valley senior wide receiver/defensive back Sean Anshel agreed with Truong.
“Ryan’s competitive drive definitely makes him a very good player,” Anshel said. “He loves to get after it and push teammates to his level of competitiveness.”
Three games into the season, Mascari said he’s facing a new challenge. He said several Ivy League and Mid-American Conference programs are communicating with him about playing on the defensive line.
“I’m kind of getting recruited at my third different position in three years,” he said. “I think my build fits defensive end well. I have good length and power to disrupt the run and am athletic enough to run down the quarterback.
“This is not the path I saw myself on as a sophomore, but that’s kind of how life goes. It throws you curveballs.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.