On Wednesday, Feb. 19, Souderton seniors Ricky Young and Josh Lister were recognized at a special news conference for signing letters of intent to play football at the collegiate level. To view photos of the signing, please visit the Photo Gallery.
Cardinal Camera sponsors all SOL college signings on SuburbanOneSports.com. For additional information about purchasing a commemorative keepsake of the signing, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/forms/college-signings.
Ricky Young – Villanova University (Football)
Major: Business
Final list of colleges: Villanova, Temple, Delaware, Penn, Lafayette, Lehigh, Buffalo
Reasons for choosing Villanova: “I received my first offer at the end of my junior year from my number one choice, and I chose to finish the process right there. Villanova was my first choice because they combine excellent academics with Division One athletics.”
What was the progression that led you to playing collegiate football? “I started playing football in middle school, and in my freshman year, that’s when I decided that’s what I wanted to do in college. Villanova just fit me the best of all the schools.”
Who inspired you to strive to compete at a higher level? “My parents were instrumental to me starting out to play football. They drove me to all the practices, took me to all the camps. They were a huge motivation. Also, my position coach, coach (Tony) Cipriano – in my freshman year, he pulled me aside and said, ‘This is what you need to do to get to where you want to go.’ I did exactly what he told me to do, and it totally worked out. I’m exactly where I want to be today.”
Favorite sports memory: “My favorite memory was from my sophomore year in the game against CB West. I recognized their line splits from films that week. I knew right where the ball was going, so I shot the gap hard and tackled the quarterback and running back together right at the handoff and caused a fumble.”
Coach Ed Gallagher says: “It was heartbreaking for our kids that he couldn’t play his senior year. They lost not just their best player - they lost their leader. I don’t think they had the confidence to play without him. When Ricky was there, they felt they had a leg up, but without Ricky, they felt a little rudderless.
“He was first team on both sides of the ball both his sophomore and junior years. He was the best player in the league, and I don’t think any coach will disagree with that. It really had an impact on how things went.
“Words don’t describe the work ethic of him both on the field and off the field. He’s the true definition of a character kid. He’s a wonderful young man. What made him so good was his character. His parents did a great job with him.”
About Ricky:
Favorite food: Hot Wings
Favorite movie: Lone Survivor
Favorite music: Zac Brown Band
Josh Lister – Shippensburg University (Football)
What was the progression that led you playing collegiate football? “I wasn’t really sure I wanted to play football in college, but I had so much fun my senior year that it really just pushed me to keep playing.”
Who inspired you to strive to compete at a higher level? “My mother, but even more so, I would say my brother. He’s four years older than me, and as a little kid, I would look up to what he did, and he played football. I always wanted to be just like him. That was always motivation to be better than him.”
Coach Ed Gallagher says: “Josh Lister is a unique guy. He always has something to say. The one thing you’re going to get is you’re going to get effort out of him. When he’s on the field, he goes hard. He’s a very good leader. The kids look up to him and respect him. He’s a really good football player. He’s a big, strong physical kid that moves well for his size, and I think Shippensburg is a great fit for him.
“He had the grades to go to a lot of really good Division III schools, but from a financial standpoint and an able-to-play standpoint, Shippensburg and some of the PSAC schools really, really liked what Josh does.
“Ricky Young didn’t play this year, so other teams really had to scheme around Josh and try to make sure they blocked Josh because he was that much of a disruptive force on defense. He was very unselfish as well. He’s been a tight end his whole life, but when Ricky got hurt he actually played tackle for us for a few weeks. He did what was best for the team and played tackle for a while and did a nice job. I was very happy and pleased with his unselfishness in helping the team out in that respect.”
About Josh:
Favorite food: Eggs & Bacon
Favorite movie: American Hustle
Favorite music: Rap
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