Looking back, Rylan Art realizes he was taking the game too seriously last season.
The Grant quarterback has a much different perspective as he begins his junior year.
“Last year, it consumed my life,” Art said. “It’s a game. Go out there and have fun. That’s what I’ve been doing this year, looking forward to getting there every day.”
Art got called up during his freshman season in spring 2021 and led a scoring drive against Lakes in the third game — before partially tearing the ACL and meniscus in one knee and suffering a deep bone bruise too.
That was Art’s first real setback in football, considering he started playing when he was 5. The rehabilitation process was difficult, both physically and mentally, he said.
He returned for Grant’s first game last season, but playing again also wasn’t easy.
“Just coming back, I dealt with the fear of hurting myself, little mental battles last year, thinking I might get hurt on this play,” Art said. “I talked to a sports therapist, and he helped out a ton, too, just about being confident in my body.”
That wasn’t all he learned, according to his father, Kevin, who is Grant’s linebackers coach. Although the Bulldogs “took their lumps last year, I would say what he learned was to stay calm and optimistic,” Kevin Art said.
That has carried over to this season, which Grant begins with a game at Mundelein on Friday.
“I’ve seen a student of the game,” Kevin Art said. “We’re going from triple option and double tight end to a spread. We’re going to have more versatility to what we can do. There is going to be more responsibility as a game manager.”
Tim Norwood, Grant’s new head coach, was an assistant for 22 years at Barrington, where he worked with Kevin Art. So Norwood knew a bit about Rylan Art coming into the job. But he has learned more.
“He’s just one of our hardest workers and the kind of kid who always wants to do it right,” Norwood said. “He’s going to do what he has to do.”
That includes leadership. Art pushes his teammates to continue to get better but also to have fun.
“He goes from the good, nice kid to the football player,” senior cornerback Ethan Strutzel said. “I see him talking to his teammates and his linemen and receivers, and if coaches aren’t there, he’ll tell his receivers what to do.”
Art takes his leadership role seriously.
“I’m finishing drills first because quarterbacks should finish drills first,” he said. “I start the guys off at practice, getting their heads in the right space.”
Art is thinking about playing football in college, like his brother, Alex, who is a freshman at St. Xavier. For now, he’s focused on this season — and having fun.
“Never let the fun of football leave you,” he said.
Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Team: Grant.
2021 record: 2-7.
Offensive leaders: Ivan Hernandez, senior, tackle; Yedi Israel, senior, tailback; Daymian Longtin, junior, slot receiver.
Defensive leaders: Lance Gallagher, senior, middle linebacker; Ke’Sean Louramore, senior, defensive tackle; Pryde Mendoza, junior, free safety; Ethan Strutzel, senior, cornerback.
X-factor: Ayden Sheppard, junior, kicker.