Palos Verdes freshman QB Ryan Rakowski is tough, talented

Ryan Rakowski, a 15-year-old freshman, has thrown just one interception in his four starts at Palos Verdes High

PALOS VERDES, CALIF. - Quarterback Ryan Rakowski had Palos Verdes in the redzone. He dropped back to pass, looked up and surveyed the field. But before he could think about passing the ball, he saw an Edison lineman charging right at him.

It was Makai Sagiao, a 6-foot-2, 300-pound senior.

Rakowski is a 6-foot, 165-pound freshman.

"The physicality has been the largest difference, going from youth football to varsity football," Rakowski said with a chuckle. "Everyone is way faster, stronger and bigger."

No kidding.

Despite recognizing the obvious difference, if you watch Rakowski play, he clearly doesn't acknowledge it.

Photo by Tarek Fattal

Rakowski eluded Sagiao to the right, darted up field in between the tackles and bounced to the sideline while making two Edison defenders miss. He could've stepped out of bounds at the 5-yard line, but he didn't. He went for more.

"The most impressive thing about (Ryan) is how competitive he is," Palos Verdes coach Guy Gardner said. "He's tough, too."

The freshman darted up the right sideline toward the pylon, somehow slithering himself by one more defender before diving for the goal line and extending his right hand with the football. He completed an electrifying 18-yard touchdown run.

As Rakowski ran toward the Palos Verdes sideline in celebration, his hands magnetized to the top of his helmet in disbelief.

Holding. No touchdown.

The play didn't count on the scoreboard, but it counted to those watching Friday afternoon as Rakowski helped lead the Sea Kings to a stunning 31-28 win over Edison and move to 4-0 this season.

• VIDEO: Dylan Freebury makes game-winning FG to beat Edison

Rakowski, 15, is talented, tough and one to watch as Palos Verdes eyes a promising season that could end with just one or two losses. He's fearless, but that's what concerns Gardner when the smaller Rakowski takes a big hit.

"I need to work on protecting myself a little more," Rakowski said. "I need to get down more."

In four games, Rakowski completed 63% of his passes for 469 yards and five touchdowns — including two against Edison — and just one interception.

"My coaches have implemented great gameplans that play to my strengths," Rakowski said.

Rakowski isn't the team's best offensive weapon, but he's clearly a complimentary piece. Seniors Eric Mulkey (running back), Hobbs Brannan (running back) and Luke Gayton (wideout) do the heavy lifting.

"I'm lucky to have a lot of seniors around me. My linemen, my running backs, and my receivers have done a great job making plays on the ball," Rakowski added.

Palos Verdes beat Corona del Mar on August 31, 14-11, which raised eyebrows. But when the Sea Kings beat Edison, a program that was in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs last year, it catapulted them into the SBLive Top 25.

The defense is led by Reis Jacobs, Hugo Wayner and Carson Moore.

Palos Verdes will take on Banning (2-2) Friday at home before traveling to Santa Monica on September 22. Santa Monica (4-0) is a program on the rise after winning just two games last season.