December 4, 2009
Ortiz stays strong through adversity
As the oldest of six children, Raphael Ortiz is a leader on and off the field.
Click Here for photos from the Marauders' 2009 season.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
JERSEY CITY – One of the most important tasks for a starting quarterback is being a leader for the rest of the team.
Growing up as the oldest of six children (five younger sisters ranging in age from 5 to 15), St. Peter’s Prep QB Raphael Ortiz learned the importance of being a positive role model and leading by example well before he became the starting quarterback.
“I think it’s (helped me),” Ortiz said. “A lot of these kids are younger than me so they look to me to be a role model, which is the same as my sisters.”
Ortiz’s family, in particular 12-year-old sister Molly, has made the Marauders’ signal caller a stronger – both on and off the field.
“(Raphael’s) a tough kid,” head coach Rich Hansen said. “The setbacks and the things that have happened to him have made him a stronger person. He’s a rock. He’s there for his family and he’s been there for us.”
It was three years ago when an inner tube ride with Ortiz, Molly and an uncle went horribly wrong. Ortiz escaped the accident unharmed, but the injuries Molly suffered resulted in her becoming a quadriplegic.
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“I think it makes me a lot tougher,” Ortiz said about the experience. “Just all the turmoil that I’ve been through and my family’s been through helps me out on the field. You have to live every play like it could be your last play and you just have to go all out all the time.”
That mental toughness, along with a physical toughness has been vital to the success of him and the team this season.
Limited by a knee injury last season, Ortiz has excelled in his first full season as the starting quarterback, completing more than 61 percent of his passes (108-for-177) and throwing for 1,525 yards and 17 touchdowns.
As impressive as he was during the regular season, Ortiz has saved his best for the playoffs. With Ortiz under center, the Marauders have scored 89 points in victories over Paul VI and Bergen Catholic.
In the semifinals against the Crusaders, Ortiz completed 15-of-21 passes for 148 yards. He had touchdowns running and passing, but the most important plays came when he completed 4-of-5 passes to lead Prep on a 65-yard scoring drive in just 35 seconds to give the Marauders a lead they would never relinquish right before the half.
“He’s really been leading us the past few weeks, especially in the playoffs,” defensive back Ducarmel Hyacinthe said. “He’s getting dinged up a little bit, almost every snap, but he just keeps coming out there.”
Ortiz’s stellar performance has come at a time when he’s been playing with a heavy heart. Molly, who regularly attends St. Peter’s Prep football games has been sick and was unable to attend the semifinals win at Caven Point.
“Just the fact that he’s able to come out every day and keep on working as hard as he does is really a big motivation for us,” Hyacinthe said.
“Most of the time football is just a getaway from everything,” Ortiz said. “Once you’re on the field, it’s a whole different atmosphere. It’s a different life.”
Football has proven to be an escape for some of his teammates as well as Ortiz is one of a few players that have been playing for an ill relative in recent weeks.
Balancing family and football is a challenge for him and his teammates, but it hasn’t stopped Prep from playing what Ortiz believes the team is “peaking at the best we can play right now.”
To top the nation’s No. 2 team in Don Bosco on Saturday, they know it will take their absolute top performance. Last month, the Marauders wiped out by the Ironmen 42-9 despite 250 yards passing from Ortiz. It marked the fourth straight convincing victory Don Bosco has had over Prep in four seasons.
Ortiz hopes to end his career by leaving Giants Stadium as state champions. But even if their attempt falls short, Ortiz won’t have to go far for inspiration and confidence.
“I don’t go through the things (Molly) has to go through,” Ortiz said. “So why be depressed about things I can fix or do better at?”