By KEN HAMWEY

Staff Sports Writer

Ryan Applebaum is a firm believer that valuable life lessons can be learned from football. Two of those lessons include overcoming adversity and being resilient.

The Medway High senior, who will start his third varsity season at guard and defensive end when the Mustangs visit Dighton-Rehoboth on Sept. 13, is a two-time captain and a Tri Valley League honorable-mention all-star. An honor-roll student, he’s also a leader on the academic front.

The 17-year-old Applebaum and his teammates have endured their share of adversity during Medway’s last two seasons. Adversity arrived in big doses.

As a sophomore, Applebaum experienced a 2-9 campaign and last year the Mustangs finished at 1-10. Three victories in 22 games during a two-year span are painful numbers. 

What was perhaps more challenging was competing for two different head coaches who were replaced in mid-season in 2022 and 2023. For the remainder of those campaigns, Medway had an acting head coach in 2022 and a coach-by-committee format in 2023.

Before the new season gets underway, Applebaum offered some salient thoughts on the effects of the losing and the turnover that he and his teammates dealt with.

“It was difficult,’’ Applebaum said. “This season we’ll be working with our fourth playbook. We’ve had to continually acclimate to new systems, do our best and go with the flow. Last year, we provided effort, never gave up and strived to be resilient.’’

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Applebaum said that having so many coaches in a short period of time “created a lot of confusion.’’

Now, with new coach Ted Rigney taking the Mustangs’ reins, Applebaum and his teammates will be competing for their fifth coach in three years. Rigney has links to five Super Bowl champions, four as an assistant with Bellingham and one with Uxbridge,

Applebaum senses that Rigney’s arrival will be just what the doctor ordered to restore Medway’s winning tradition. 

“I believe he can iron things out and make this program smooth again,’’ said Applebaum who’ll also be a two-time captain in lacrosse when that season gets underway in the spring. “Early on, Coach Rigney stressed the need to work hard, execute and be the best we can be. He’s won on the big stage and that gives us hope.’’

Rigney is very upbeat about having Applebaum as one of his captains. 

“Ryan has been very helpful,’’ Rigney said. “When I was hired, he answered any questions I had, and he was quick to keep all of the players updated on some of the information I needed to distribute. He showed how solid a player he is on the film I viewed, and he’s been a leader on and off the field. He sets the tone for a positive atmosphere.’’

To hear Applebaum’s goals for the 2024 season is refreshing. They’re lofty and positive “and very realistic,’’ he emphasizes. “My team goals are to win the TVL Small Division title and qualify for the playoffs,’’ he said. “I also want us to beat Millis on Thanksgiving and for the players to become a closer family and build trust. Building trust leads to reliance. These objectives are realistic because we’re more experienced this year and we’ve got a group of very talented players.’’

Applebaum’s personal goals include selection as a TVL all-star again and leading his team in tackles. He also wants to be effective in his role as a captain. “I’ll lead by example and by being vocal, communicative and supportive,’’ he said. “The key is to do what you say.’’

Applebaum prefers playing defensive end, but he works diligently to be flexible at guard.

“I enjoy hitting and tackling at defensive end,’’ he noted. “Playing guard involves a more disciplined approach. My style on defense is to be aggressive when pursuing the QB or running back. I rely more on finesse at guard because it’s a size thing. I have to be effective in how I move at guard.’’

A native of Medway, Applebaum has a plethora of strengths that enable him to be relentless on both sides of the ball. He’s got a high football IQ and he’s well-skilled. “My speed and quickness are okay, I’ve got athleticism, I like to lead and can adjust to changes on and off the field,’’ he said.

Three teammates Applebaum admires and is sure will be top-notch contributors this season are the other senior captains — Garrett O’Mara (quarterback/safety), Ryan Hoye (guard/defensive end), and Evan Sklar (receiver/cornerback).

“They’re great leaders and they’re determined to win’’ he emphasized. “They’re also talented, skilled and very capable at their positions. Their work ethic is truly super.’’

Applebaum rates a clash against Norton as a sophomore as his best game so far. “I got the first sack of my career and we won,’’ he recalled. “I blocked well at guard, but the sack got me all amped up and excited. I dropped the QB for a three-yard loss. Overall, I had a good, all-around effort.’’

When top thrills are up for discussion, Applebaum lists two. “Being chosen as a two-time-captain rates highly because the coaches and players voted,’’ he said. “That shows they have confidence in me. Another was being able to play on Thanksgiving Day as a freshman when my brother Jack competed as a two-way lineman his senior year.’’

Calling his parents (Matthew and Nicole) role models for their support and encouragement, Applebaum hopes to play college football and major in business. Active in his town, he assists at the community farm and volunteers at youth football and lacrosse practices. He also volunteers with “Medway Bags Hunger,” a program that provides food for families in need.

Relying on an athletic philosophy that focuses on reaching his potential and having fun competing, Applebaum believes that if those situations occur, then winning should follow. “Life lessons that sports teach, besides overcoming adversity and being resilient, are how to lead and how to be a good teammate,’’ he said.

Applebaum is acutely aware that winning is predicated on stability and it’s that quality that he hopes will be present this season. He said, 

“It’ll take commitment and dedication, and it’ll take a willingness to be versatile and flexible so the coach can build depth. This season is all about turning Medway’s football program around.’’

That chore no doubt will be viewed as a Herculean task by many. But Ryan Applebaum and his teammates appear to be ready, willing and able to get back on track.