Ryan Weeks
Year of Induction: 2015 | Categories: Football, Individual
Salem Community High School has always had its share of quality running backs and linebackers. Very few have ever been able to play both positions equally as well as Ryan Weeks.
Coming to SCHS from Selmaville School Ryan was known to be a good athlete. Nobody could have ever predicted the success that he would go on to have on the football field at SCHS. As a freshman he quickly impressed the freshman coach Jim Koehler. The freshman coach felt that he was an outstanding player that could move into a varsity position as a sophomore. In the summer of his sophomore year, and after an off season injury to a senior running back, and a promising junior that did not play, Ryan was moved to a starting position in the offensive backfield. Ryan quickly proved his worth at summer camp and won the starting running back position. As the season progressed, he quickly began to play more on defense. First, playing an Eagle Linebacker, he finished the season with 256 rushing yards, and defensively he recorded 36 tackles. The team finished 7-3 and was a playoff qualifier.
After becoming a leader in the weight room and in the off season, Ryan went into his junior year as a starting running back and a line backer. His 1993 season proved to be a great one. He led the team in rushing with 1005 yards rushing and also led the team in defensive statistics with 56 tackles, and 7 tackles for loss, 4 sacs, 2 interceptions and 4 recovered fumbles. He was selected o the 1st team all North Egypt at running back and 1st team line backer. He was also selected as the most valuable player in the NEC Conference and to the Southern Illinois Coaches Association 1st Team. The team finished the 1993 season 7 – 3.
After a great junior year, Ryan had big expectations and a target on his back. He was the only player in SCHS history to be a NEC Conference MVP. Ryan did not disappoint saving his best games for last. Once again, he was the team leader rushing for over 1000 yards in the 1994 season. Again he led the team in defensive statistics with 67 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, and 4 recovered fumbles. He then repeated as 1st team NEC as a running back and line backer and was unanimous selections as both. And was also voted an unprecedented two times NEC Most Valuable Player. Again he was selected to the SICA All South Team. Coach Steward has referred to him as the best all around player he ever coached.
After high school Ryan signed to play football at Lindenwood College, but returned home and graduated from Kaskaskia College. He went on to be involved with law enforcement
Agencies and is currently a law enforcement official in the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Department. He has become a valuable deputy and continues to serve Jefferson County. He is married to SCHS graduate Jonna (Green) Weeks and has a son Ryder Weeks.
August 18th, 2015 at 12:44 pm
If I had to pick 1 player that was the best all around player I ever coached at SCHS in my 23 years, Ryan would be the 1st choice. While there were many great players, nobody played every asepect of the game on offense, defense, and special teams like him. He has done remarkable things since graduation and is a true Wildcat Hall of Famer!