It’s been a while since Ryder Stone visited our area code. He’s been busy.
The former Cochrane Midget Lions running back spent 2013-14 at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., and has parlayed his prep-school season into an Ivy League gig. Stone joins Dartmouth College in New Hampshire next month to kick off his National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Div. 1 football career.
It was the 19-year-old’s prep-school showing that got him into the NCAA.
“It was really good competition down there,” Stone said of his season at Phillips Academy in Andover. “I absolutely love the game down there. The only difference that I noticed was the size of the athletes. Our best athletes here are no different that the best athletes there. But when you have that many more athletes and that big a size, the game turns up another level a little bit.”
The 5-foot-10, 205-pound running back averaged seven yards per carry, racking up 1,224 total yards on offence and scoring 14 touchdowns for undefeated (9-0) Phillips before being named New England prep football’s player of the year. Phillips Academy won the league championship (Jack Etter Bowl) with a 35-28 win over Brunswick, and Stone’s gaudy prep-school stats caught the eye of NCAA Div. 1 schools.
“I hadn’t been in contact with Dartmouth until I went to Andover. Through Phillips, we had a really good season. I played well down there. Ended up getting New England player of the year,” Stone recounted July 26 as he watched younger-sister Rylee Stone of Springbank High play Alberta Summer Games girl’s rugby for Zone 2 in Airdrie. “We won the championship. Went 9-0. We had some pretty good opportunities for recruiting. Dartmouth caught wind and it just kind of took off from there.”
He’s spending the summer here, working out and preparing for Dartmouth training camp beginning Aug. 25.
“It’s definitely a big jump. I’m a little nervous about it to be honest,” the Holy Trinity Academy (Okotoks) 2013 grad admitted. “But equally as excited. It’s a wonderful opportunity.”
Dartmouth’s backfield rotation increases Stone’s chances of playing in his rookie year. The Big Green use a single-back set on offence, but rotate running backs in and out to keep legs fresh and opposing defences guessing.
“I’m hoping to get some playing time next year. We have a three running-back system there,” Stone said. “Their senior just graduated, so they’re looking for a spot to fill. Hopefully it’s me.”
The Big Green website lists six returning running backs, so Stone is doing all he can to increase his chances of getting some touches in the fall. This year’s Dartmouth freshmen class totals 34 incoming players at all positions.
“I’ve been using Dartmouth’s workout program and stuff,” Stone related.
“I’ve done a little bit of research on everyone to see where I’m at, who my competition is and that kind of thing. I have a reasonable idea of who the competition is.”
