The quintessential moment of Ryan Shuler’s athletic career at Georgetown Prep came last year at Gonzaga. Playing the lonely single safety spot in the Little Hoyas’ three-deep defense, Shuler was the target of Purple Eagles fans.
First came a heavy dose of basic derogatory comments followed by a more creative chant, “NOOR-RAH SHOOL-LER,” Gonzaga students bellowed, razzing Shuler with the name of his older sister, Nora.
But that only narrowed his focus. In a numbing series of six plays, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound speedster nailed Gonzaga receivers four times, breaking up three passes and laying out the one receiver who dared to catch a pass in the Little Hoyas’ 28-7 victory.
The following week, Shuler blocked a punt and iced the game with an interception as Prep upended another Catholic-school rival, Good Counsel, 21-14. The week after that, Shuler, also a wideout, made a spectacular, tip-it-to-himself catch in the end zone with two minutes left as Prep took Baltimore power Gilman to overtime in a 20-14 loss.
When the season was over, Shuler had 95 tackles, second most on the squad. If longtime Prep fans felt they’d seen this before, it was because they had. From 1997-99, it was Shuler’s brother, Mike, who played the same positions, who displayed the same verve.
The Shulers’ excellence extends to the lacrosse field, where both started as sophomores. Not surprisingly, Ryan has committed to Georgetown, the same school where Mike played.
“They’ve got the same gene,” said Prep football coach Dan Paro. “They both have the will to compete, the ability to show up when it’s game day and play their best in the biggest situations.”
Today, another of those situations arises today when, after a one-year hiatus, Prep (1-2) resumes its series with archrival Landon (0-2).
“This is a huge game for both of us. Ithas huge repercussions,” said Shuler. “Both of us are looking to turn our seasons around.”
