The focus for the Ridgefield Spudders is on Friday’s game against Woodland for the Class 2A GSHL title. Danny McDonnell appreciates this opportunity, especially after his season was in jeopardy due to a back injury. Photo by Paul Valencia

Defensive end and offensive lineman ‘grateful’ to be with his Spudders, playing for a 2A GSHL football title this week

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

The pain was there all summer.

But he kept working with his team, the Ridgefield Spudders, with on-field workouts and, of course, in the weight room.

That’s what football players do. They work. Hard.

Especially those who are about to be seniors, with the goal to make the most of their final season of high school football.

Danny McDonnell didn’t have time for back pain to slow him down.

Well, until it became apparent that the pain in his back was slowing him down.

An MRI in August revealed a stress fracture in his lower back.

“I was just like, ‘What can I do from here to get it better?’ I was stuck. I didn’t know where to go or what to do,” McDonnell said.

Rest. Follow doctor’s orders. If McDonnell wanted to play this season, he had to force himself to allow his body the time to heal.

“Just do what I was told to do. Take time off and hope that it heals fast,” McDonnell said. “Thankfully, it did.”

Danny McDonnell of Ridgefield is all smiles, back on the football field after a back injury sustained over the summer. He is grateful he only missed two games in his senior season with the Spudders. Photo by Paul Valencia

The Class 2A Greater St. Helens League coaches have voted McDonnell to the all-league team the past two seasons. This year, he is poised to be a three-time all-leaguer, and do not be surprised if he is a candidate for the league’s defensive player of the year.

Oh yes, McDonnell made it back, and he is back to making a difference on the field.

After that doctor-ordered rest, he was cleared for limited contact, but not game action, early in the season. He missed Ridgefield’s first two games. Then, the day before the Week 3 game against Hockinson, he got the green light. All clear. For full contact. To play in a game.

“I was just like, ‘Thank God.’ I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t play,” McDonnell said. “I was just so happy and grateful that I was able to put the pads back on and step on the field again.”

McDonnell only missed the non-league games on Ridgefield’s schedule. He has been there for all the 2A GSHL contests, all of the wins and that one tough loss.

And it all comes down to Friday night for the Spudders in terms of the regular season. Ridgefield (5-1 in the 2A GSHL) hosts Woodland (5-1 in the 2A GSHL) in a game that will determine the league title.

“We’ve worked so hard for this all year, especially after going 5-5 last year,” said McDonnell, a right guard and a defensive end. “Now, to be in this position, it’s great to be here with all my guys. I’m excited to play. It’s a big game. Everybody knows that. Everybody’s pumped for it.”

Ridgefield, 6-2 overall, just missed a chance to go undefeated in league play. Ridgefield took the lead against Hudson’s Bay, but the Eagles returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown in the closing minutes for a 28-24 victory.

That result stunned the Spudders.

But it also motivated them.

“It made us take a second look at ourselves. We refocused on the little things we do,” McDonnell said.

From that day on, the focus became on the Spudders competing against themselves, to try to get better every day.

That mentality was a bit easier for McDonnell. After all, for a few moments in August, when he heard “stress fracture” in his back, he thought he might not even have a season.

“It just made me realize that not everything is a guarantee,” McDonnell said. “After that it made me think of the game differently and take every single practice, every single game, every single moment I have with my guys … let it sink into my head that I have to love every moment of it. This could be taken away.”

Win or lose Friday, the Spudders have clinched a postseason berth and will play in the district playoff in Week 10. From there, it is all about surviving each week. Or not. McDonnell and the rest of the seniors understand their high school football careers are winding down soon, one way or the other, whether it is a loss some time in November, or a victory in December on the final day of the season.

McDonnell said he absolutely loves being part of this football team.

“Since the first day I stepped into this program, it started to shape who I am as a person,” McDonnell said. “It taught me hard work, it taught me discipline, it taught me etiquette and respect. Seeing all the guys above me come and go, and now it’s me and the seniors now, it’s just been a surreal experience living through this program, committing my energy to it these past four years.

“It’s been an adventure, for sure.”