SOUTH CHARLESTON – For four years, University High School football players Ryder Hastings and Jack Byrer have played key roles on the gridiron on Baker’s Ridge for the Hawks.
Hastings has been a force in the trenches on both sides of the ball on the offensive and defensive lines, while Byrer has played nearly every single position for the Hawks during their tenure.
Last week, Byrer and Hastings traveled south on I-79 to Charleston for the annual North/South All-Star football camp at West Virginia State University, and a game held at South Charleston High School.
“It was an honor to be able to participate in the North/South Football Classic with so many great players, and players who have come before me,” Byrer said. “My Father (Mark Byrer) played in the game in 1999, so it was special to be selected, especially being so close to Father’s Day.”
The North Bears came away with bragging rights for the next year with a 34-7 domination of the South Cardinals.
Byrer was unanimously selected as the MVP for the North, showcasing his versatility during the contest.
He scored three touchdowns, one passing, one rushing, and one receiving.
His first score was a one-yard tote on the opening offensive possession for the Bears. Prior to the score, Byrer caught a 21-yard pass and rushed for 10 yards on the drive.
The second Byrer score of the day came on a 10-yard touchdown catch. The final touchdown, a 5-yard pass to Bridgeport’s Harrison Hall, capped Byrer’s afternoon and sealed the deal for the Bears, who went ahead 34-0 with the score.
“Coming into the game, I knew I may get some opportunities with the ball to make plays,” Byrer said. “But I was focused on my blocking initially and making sure that’s what I prepared first and foremost when preparing for the game.”
Byrer is signed to join the football program at Duquesne this fall.
“A significant part of the success we had in the game was the amount of work the coaches did beforehand,” Byrer said. “Also, being around such great people and teammates, staying in the dorms and doing activities off the field as a group really helped build relationships and bonds with everyone and played a large part in our success.”
North’s head coach, Nick Mayle of Philip Barbour, says the way the players on the North roster came together in a short amount of time was nothing short of a testament to the types of people they are.
“We had 35 kids with 23 different high schools, and just within a week, we built a culture where they were playing like brothers and had each other’s back and doing everything that a team you would expect to do back home. I’m just super proud of them and super impressed with the young men that they are,” Mayle said.
Hastings played in the penultimate football game of his career. He will continue his athletic career as a wrestler at Glenville State this fall and will compete for Team West Virginia in the OVAC All-Star game.
In true Ryder Hastings fashion, he earned the Charlie Maynard Memorial Heart & Hustle Award for the North Bears.
“The game was amazing,” Hastings said. “It means a lot to me to earn the award. I always put everything on the line for my teammates. It felt good to have that noticed by others. I strive to be the best teammate I can possibly be, on and off the field.”
