2021 CTA WPIAL Football Round 2 Player of the Week: Ryan Palmieri (Pine-Richland)

Pine-Richland quarterback Ryan Palmieri warms up before the team's WPIAL 5A Football Quarterfinals matchup against Peters Township.

SOURCE: (Ben Tenuta Productions)

STUD ALERT: Pine-Richland was able to defeat Peters Township 20-14 in the Quarterfinal round of the WPIAL 5A Football Playoffs. Rams quarterback Ryan Palmieri completed 13 of 20 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns. He even chipped in on the running games rushing for a touchdown and 78 yards on 23 carries. Yes, he contributed on all three Rams touchdowns. This is the second straight year that the Rams defeated the Indians in the WPIAL Football Playoffs. His team will take on Penn-Trafford in the Semifinals round on Friday.

Questions & Answers

At halftime, you're team was down 14-6. What type of in-game adjustments did your team have to make in order to Peters Township?

Ryan Palmieri: We got beat deep on Peters Township's two scores in the first half so we adjusted and made sure we wouldn’t give up a big play like that again on defense. On offense, we just had to start executing. Everything we wanted to do was there and once we started executing in the second half we started moving the ball and scoring.

How did you celebrate after the game?

RP: I went out to eat with some teammates.

Next up, your team faces a Penn-Trafford team that stars Wisconsin football commit Cade Yacamelli. What do you think your team has to do to beat Penn-Trafford and get back to the WPIAL championship game for the fifth straight year?

RP: We have to stop the run on defense. On offense we got to capitalize on our possessions and try to turn every drive into points.

With the fact that your team was able to beat Penn-Trafford last season in the WPIAL 5A Semifinals, do you think your team has to play even harder since they will be looking for revenge?

RP: I think our teams both look a lot different than last year, but the game should be a good one.

You've been known by the WPIAL community as a running back, wide receiver and free safety. Then Cole Boyd gets injured, and you're the team's starting quarterback for the rest of the season. What was that transition like for you?

RP: The transition was a little tough at first because I did not expect to be playing quarterback at all this year, but I’m getting used to it.

At the quarterback position, what do you think you would like to improve on going into the Penn-Trafford game?

RP: I would like to try to get the ball out of my hand quicker than I have been.

You're two games away from another WPIAL championship title, and your team is doing this under a new head coach in Steve Campos. What type of impact would you say that he has had on this team?

RP: He has been good with us and he has led us through the ups and downs of the season.

Tell me a song that can hype you up before a game.

RP: Anything Lil Baby

What is your favorite class that you are currently taking?

RP: Microeconomics

What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?

RP: I didn’t start playing football till 5th grade.

Brentaro Yamane: bkyamane@gmail.com and Twitter/Instagram @BYHilton13