Ryan Cory Severson, the powerhouse senior running back and linebacker for the Valley Christian Warriors stands at an ample 5-foot-11 and an intimidating 195 pounds. Severson has rushed for 1,548 yards and scored 24 touchdowns this season, averaging nearly 13 yards per carry.
The Warriors record (4-6 overall, 2-5 WCAL) is not outstanding, however, it is evident that their talent does not match up with the outcomes, as they experienced numerous close defeats in league play. Chances are very good Valley Christian can turn things around in Central Coast Section Division III play beginning with a first-round game Friday against visiting Burlingame.
Although the setbacks have been frustrating for Severson and his team, he continues to stay focused going into each and every game and -- with Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley at the top of his pre-game playlist -- he has his head in the game.
His dominance on the field is reciprocated in the classroom as he studies hard to maintain an outstanding 4.0 GPA.
Severson was born in Southern California, but moved to Minnesota when he was 3 years old. His first love was baseball, but he eventually segued into football after his dad picked him from school and drove him to Dave’s Sporting Goods.
Severson's dad sat him down and said, “Son you’re going to play football.” Excitement gleamed from Severson's eyes and heart. He’d been watching football previously and waited for his opportunity to come and it started with the Fridley Tigers.
He not only found what became his new love, but excelled at the game from a young age. He was the starting running back for the third grade team as a second grader. His parents have always been supportive as his mom videotaped the games and his dad was the coach, always there for him on that sideline.
Severson loves his family and being an only child. His older cousin, Garrett, has really played that older
brother role for him growing up, when it came to throwing the ball around or having someone to just hang out with. When Severson was told at the start of seventh grade that his family would move to California, he went along with it graciously, even though he knew he would miss his family and friends.
Blessed with impressive speed, he decided to stop playing baseball in eighth grade and focus on football and track and field. He has been excelling at track for the last five years, becoming a finalist in the 2012 WCAL Track Championships, running the 100 meters in a blazing 10.8 seconds.
Severson hopes to finish his high school career with a CCS Championship and that is the goal him and his
Warriors are aiming for. In the meantime, Severson has committed to play football at San Jose State University where location can’t be beat. It’s close to home where Severson can indulge in his mother’s homemade banana
cream pie and his family will be able to attend his games, dad on the video and mom cheering from the stands.
“My parents mean the world to me, they’ve always been there for me, always will be there for me, and that’s why I love them," he said.
He enjoys the campus lifestyle and is looking forward to the promising San Jose State football program where he will play alongside former Warrior teammate, Jarrod Lawson. The Spartans are coached by Mike MacIntyre, the father of current backfield mate junior quarterback Jay MacIntyre.
Severson plans to major in Business and is ready to start that next chapter in his life following his senior year.
