By Steve Ruman

sports@vindy.com

WARREN

For a brief period of time, Ryan Lee was the field general of the Warren JFK football team’s offense.

Lee was the Eagles’ starting quarterback at the start of the season. In the Eagles’ season-opening 55-0 win over Keystone, Lee was perfect as a signal-caller. He completed the only two passes he threw, and both went for touchdowns on plays of 50 and 68 yards.

A week later, Lee shared the quarterbacking duties with Gregory Valent. Lee, a two-way starter, then was moved exclusively to defense. He has since been a mainstay at the inside linebacker position.

However, if you think that Lee’s move to defense was a demotion, think again. In the eyes of Warren JFK coach Jeff Bayuk, Lee’s role as field general merely shifted from one side of the ball to the other.

“Ryan is our quarterback on defense, he’s the leader and he is as valuable as any player in this program,” Bayuk said. “The fact is, Ryan can and has played anywhere.

“He can be a valuable quarterback, tight end, running back, H-back. But he was born to be a linebacker,” Bayuk said. “It just came down to us wanting Ryan to be fresh on defense at all times. He is that important on that side of the ball.”

With Lee leading the charge, the Warren JFK defense has garnered the type of attention generally reserved for, well, for quarterbacks and other offensive stars.

This year, the Eagles defense is selling tickets and winning games.

Through 12 games, Warren JFK has surrendered just 72 points. It has recorded six shutouts and in a pair of playoff games it has given up just three points.

Next up is a strong test. Warren JFK (11-1) will meet Norwalk St. Paul (12-0) on Saturday in the Division VII Region 25 title game at Pat Catan Stadium in Strongsville. The winner will advance to the state semifinals.

“Ryan is a special breed,” Bayuk said. “He comes to practice every day always prepared, always with an incredibly positive attitude. He’s just as excited to practice as he is to play a game.”

“There are times where I might come in a little worn out, and he says or does something to get me charged. He has that type of personality and energy.”

During the regular season, Lee recorded 72 tackles, four sacks and an interception.

He also recovered three fumbles. In Warren JFK’s playoff wins against Toronto and Mogadore, Lee has logged an additional 14 tackles. However, stats alone are not what defines the play of the senior captain, according to Bayuk.

“Ryan can have one of those games where his name is never called, but his impact will be as great as anyone on the field,” Bayuk said. “His presence, his smarts and his leadership is second to none.

“He has great instincts, and he is as consistent a player as you will find. He doesn’t have off days.”

Lee began playing football in the third grade and played the quarterback position throughout his youth. He gave way to former Warren JFK signal-caller Michael Roscoe during the first two years of his high school career, and then to Bobby Jefferson a year ago.

“Having the ball in my hands has always been a part of me, whether it was football or baseball,” Lee said. “So in that way, it was tough giving up the position.

“I mean, you grow up holding and throwing a football, not lining up in the backyard like a linebacker.”

“But at the same time, every year I knew that it was best for me and best for the team. We’re a better team and I’m a better player because of it, and honestly that is all that counts.”

Lee said that he has “learned to put complete faith in Coach Bayuk and [defensive coordinator] Coach [Dom] Prologo,” adding that the results of their decisions speak for themselves.

Warren JFK is playing in the regional title game for a second straight year.

“I trust this coaching staff because each decision they make, it’s for the best for the entire team and obviously they always get it right,” Lee said. “Each week, this season just kept getting more special.

“We beat LaBrae and opened some eyes. We beat Crestview, which was a huge win because we lost to them last year. We seemed to just keep getting stronger as the season went on.”

“I love playing defense, especially with this group. We’re having a blast out there. It’s like we’re 11 guys all playing as one.”

As for his role as captain and team leader, Lee says he is merely upholding a school tradition He noted that when he was an underclassman, he was guided by a senior class which taught him how to play football the “Kennedy way.”

“I remember [former Warren JFK standout] Austin Munno always teaching me what it meant to put on a Kennedy uniform,” Lee said. “He taught me about the game on and off the field. It was huge for me to have someone like that to turn to, so I just want to do the same.”