Paramus Catholic linebacker Drew Singleton is hoping to get some big news from his doctors on Wednesday morning.
PARAMUS- Drew Singleton was at practice Tuesday, helmet strapped on, reading the Paramus Catholic offense as he looked on from the sidelines. PC is getting ready to face St. Peter's Prep on Friday in the Non-Public, Group 4 title game.
The top-ranked New Jersey prospect hasn’t seen the field since the season-opener in September after tearing his ACL and having surgery soon after. But in his rehab, Singleton has been making head-turning strides. Since last month, he's been jogging. Now he’s sprinting and making cuts on that left knee.
He even danced his way onto the field, leading Paramus Catholic out prior to the showdown vs. Don Bosco Prep in the semifinals less than two weeks ago.
He’s lifting weights and doing box jumps. You wouldn’t know he suffered a torn ACL earlier this year by looking at him. Which is why he’s pushing, hoping for some big news from his doctors on Wednesday morning.
“I’m hoping to get cleared,” Singleton said on Tuesday evening. “I’ll find out tomorrow. I’m pushing everyone to let me get back on the field. I’m itching for this.”
This marks the third time in four years that Paramus Catholic and St. Peter's Prep have faced off at MetLife Stadium with a championship on the line.
And with it being Singleton’s senior campaign, it adds more to his desire to get back on the field.
“I 100 percent want to play,” Singleton said. “Even though people have been telling me it’s a risk, I’m pretty sure they haven’t been in my position before. They don’t know what it feels like.”
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Singleton will be going to see a specialist on Wednesday morning to see if he can get clearance to play in Friday night’s tilt. Head coach Dan Sabella said it’s “very unlikely and doubtful” that Singleton will see the field at MetLife.
But, that won’t stop the linebacker from helping out his team come game time.
“Drew won’t let me rule him out,” Sabella said with a laugh. “He brings his helmet and pads to practice every day. He’s doubtful to play, but it’s been such a good motivator for our team to see him rehab this injury so quickly and with such dedication. It’s been a lot of fun having him out here and watching him be with this team day to day.”
Singleton knows its a long shot that he'll play on Friday, but added that it won't stop him from being at MetLife and leading out Paramus Catholic into battle one last time.
“If things work out, I’ll try and get onto the field here and there,” Singleton said. “But if it doesn’t happen, I’m still going to run out of the tunnel with my teammates and be with them on the field the whole game. We’re ready to go out and keep pushing with this underdog mentality we’ve had all season."
Braulio Perez may be reached at bperez@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BraulioEPerez.