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Out of the shadow By DON HUNT,Mail Tribune Sep 22, 2005 12:00 AM A A Ryan Folsom welcomes comparisons to his older brother, but he's creating his own niche at North Medford High Ryan Folsom has blossomed into North Medford's best football player this season. The tailback/linebacker leads the Black Tornado in rushing and tackles, and the affable, articulate senior who wears uniform No. 7 has become the team's undisputed leader. Does it all sound familiar? Two years ago, Folsom's older brother, Rob, showcased similar attributes in leading the Tornado to a 13-1 record and a runner-up finish in the Class 4A state playoffs. The older Folsom ' who earned a scholarship to Oregon State in baseball and headed to Texas this week for a Mormon mission ' was probably a superior athlete. He earned first-team, all-state honors as a linebacker in football and a catcher in baseball, and was a two-time state runner-up in wrestling. — But the two Folsoms are cut from the same cloth and Ryan, unlike many siblings in similar circumstances, doesn't mind the inevitable comparisons. He had a lot of influence on me and I'm proud to be his younger brother, says Ryan Folsom, who dons the same No. 7 that Rob wore in football. He was always pushing me. He helped build my competitive drive. People have asked me if it bothers me being in his shadow, or if I feel any pressure living up to his accomplishments. The answer is no to both. I am my own person, and as long as I play my hardest and do my best, I'm satisfied with that. On the gridiron, Ryan Folsom's best is better than most. He's the heart and soul of North Medford's defense, having reached double figures in tackles in all three of the Tornado's games from his linebacker position. He's also the spark plug of the offense with 333 yards rushing and two touchdowns in three games. North Medford, 1-2, plays host to 3-0 Ashland Friday at Spiegelberg Stadium in the Southern Oregon Conference opener for both teams. Ryan is writing his own script, says North Medford coach Rod Rumrey, who calls Folsom the hardest-working practice player he's had in more than 30 years of coaching. If he keeps going the way he is right now, he'll walk out of here being one of the best players I've coached. At 5-foot-10 and 174 pounds, Folsom isn't big by today's standards. He's also not exceptionally fast. But he uses that same revved-up, non-stop motor that his brother used to punish opponents on both sides of the ball. You can blame our parents for that, he says with a grin. That's the way we were brought up. My dad always says you'll never know what your potential is if you don't work your hardest. To be the best, you've got to outwork the rest. The younger Folsom went against family doctrine early last season when he violated a team rule and was suspended for three games. He returned with a vengeance, registering 21 tackles in a 42-6 win over Crater and 20 more the following week in a 28-21 loss to South Medford. I made a bad choice, he says. But it played a role in how I was able to motivate myself the rest of last season and into this season. Folsom, who carries a 3.84 grade point average in the classroom, vowed to become more of a team leader this fall, even though he's not as vocal as his brother was. He leads mostly by example, exhibiting a toughness and work ethic that his peers can't help but admire. Personally, I think it's a waste of energy to yell and scream all the time, he says. I'd rather channel my energy into making a hard tackle or a hard run. Folsom couldn't help but celebrate a sack during last week's game against Clackamas, however. He leaned way back, extended his arms, thumped his chest and triumphantly bellowed. Folsom was emulating his brother, who happened to be standing on the North Medford sideline. Out of the shadow"[email protected]. North Medford?s Ryan Folsom has rushed for 333 yards and two touchdowns in three games this season.