Duong Sheds Image, Shedding Tackles Comes Next

A productive summer carrying the football for Calabasas High helped do two things for Ryan Duong. First, the 6-foot-1 and 210-pound junior shed an image as a blocking specialist. More importantly, after playing fullback last season, Duong ended up earning the role as the Coyotes' featured running back.  

"We like what we've seen from Ryan the past couple of months, no one works harder than him," Calabasas coach Larry Edwards said. "We figured it was time to reward him, give him a chance to show what he can do.  

"We wouldn't make him our main tailback if we didn't think he was capable of doing a good job. It's all on him now. This is his chance.''  

Playing well in 7-on-7 passing tournaments for the Coyotes during early June and late July solidified the starting job for Duong.  

And he's done nothing to tarnish his growing reputation since the Coyotes started two-a-day practices a week ago in preparation for the season opener, a non-league game at Granada Hills on Sept. 10.  

"Everyone has confidence in me, they trust me, and that means a whole lot,'' Duong said. "I like having more responsibility. I think I'm ready for it now. There's no way that I'm not going to let anyone down around here.''  

As a sophomore, Duong played in eight of 10 games for the Coyotes. He didn't touch the ball much, though. He was in the lineup to protect quarterback Kyle Zion in the pocket and pave the way for running back Kevin Benson.  

Those days, however, are a thing of the past.  

"We want Ryan to do everything that he did last year, only this time around, he'll have the ball in his hands quite a bit more,'' Edwards said. "That's the way we want things to be done. We think he's about ready to carry the load for us. We think he's going to be a handful for anyone we play this season.''  

Battering and bruising opponents is what helped shape him into the player he is today and what figures to help him moving forward.

Duong should be able to hold his own once he reaches the line of scrimmage, and running through arm tackles might become common place.  

"Ryan knows our offense from last year better than most, and this season, we get to see him showcase all of his talents,'' Zion said. "There's no one else I'd rather have in the backfield with me than him. He brings a lot to the table and this is his chance to show everyone out there what he can do.  

"If I know Ryan, he isn't going to have any trouble making the transition from fullback to the guy with the ball in his hands all the time. He's one of those big tough kids who is can get the job done for us here.''