Daily Pilot Player of the Week, Ryan Spruth : Turning the corner

Barry Faulkner

On most athletic teams, there exists a symbolic subdivision between

starters and substitutes. Despite the most well-intentioned assurances

that all contributions are vital, those who spend the most time on the

sideline, often consider themselves second-class teammates.

Newport Harbor High senior cornerback Ryan Spruth did exactly that

last fall, when he helped out on special teams, practiced with the scout

team and longed for his chance to inspire cheers, rather than conduct

them.

“He’s what we call a program guy,” said Evan Chalmers, the Sailors’

secondary coach and defensive coordinator.

“He’s hung in there for four years,” said Newport Coach Jeff Brinkley,

“Now, he has gotten his opportunity and he has really played well.”

The 5-foot-9, 162-pound Spruth, as well as his fellow defensive backs,

have had a huge role in the Sailors’ playoff run, which will culminate

Friday in their second straight CIF Southern Section Division VI title

showdown with Irvine, 7:30 p.m. at Orange Coast College.

In Saturday’s semifinal upset of top-seeded and previously unbeaten La

Mirada, Spruth helped limit the potent Matadores’ passing attack to a

late touchdown pass and only 188 yards. He also tackled quarterback Erik

Meyer for a 3-yard loss on fourth-and-goal from the Sailors’ 3-yard line

early in the fourth quarter. The open-field stop, one of Spruth’s

strengths, all but clinched victory for the Tars.

“Once we stopped them there, the game was pretty much ours,” said the

Daily Pilot Player of the Week, who is savoring his high-profile role in

what could be the program’s second straight CIF championship season.

“It’s an awesome feeling,” Spruth said of starting for this year’s

11-2 squad. “Last year, I couldn’t even imagine how those (starters)

felt. Now, I do. It’s my senior year and this is all I ever wanted. But I

know we have one more game left to play.”

Spruth has two interceptions, 31 tackles and one forced fumble, and

also plays on every special team.

“He’s a tough nut and he hurls it at ‘em,” Brinkley said of Spruth’s

penchant for making big hits in run support.

Though not gifted with sprinter speed, Spruth has toiled hard in the

weight room to maximize his strength.

With a personal-best 242-pound clean and jerk, he is a member of the

program’s 1,000-pound club (compiled on three Olympic lifts). He also won

the 154-pound weight class in the Sailors’ annual summer weightlifting

competition against a handful of other schools.

“He’s not the fastest or the biggest, but he understands the system

and the concepts we use on defense,” Brinkley said. “What people don’t

realize about him, is how good a tackler he is.”

Chalmers said Spruth’s determination is another reason he’s able to

hold his own against taller, bigger, faster receivers.

“His competitive level is incredible,” Chalmers said. “Teams have

always tried to use motion and isolate on Ryan, even in the summer. But

he somehow always manages to get to the ball and make a play. He just

never lets me down out there.”

Spruth credits much of his development to battling daily in practice

last season with then-senior starting receivers Billy Clayton and Justin

Jacobs.

“I had to cover (the 6-5, 195-pound) Clayton all the time and it

helped me a lot. It helped me improve my man skills, my zone skills and

reading a receiver’s hips.”

Spruth is gratified his play has drawn praise, but he doesn’t see

himself as anything special.

“I just try to go out and play football,” he said.