Dane Bryan - Lourdes Football Senior Preview

When I think of this upcoming Lourdes Warriors football season, one player stands out in particular to me. 

It is Dane Bryan. 

He is the longest-tenured player on the team. Back when I covered the 2023 season, I remember first being introduced to him when he expressed his desire to beat Spackenkill High School when they placed a Spartan helmet on the Lourdes midfield logo. 

Born on December 18, 2007, in the Bronx, Dane moved to Wappingers Falls as a toddler in 2011 and to Fishkill during his middle school years. He attended Wappingers Falls Middle School and skipped out on Roy C. Ketcham High School to attend Dutchess County’s only Catholic high school at 131 Boardman Road. 

As a young child, Dane only played soccer and basketball until his mother let him play football at the age of ten. He looked up to former Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

“His play style and swag hold a lot of influence on me when playing football,” says Bryan of the crowd-pleasing-mid 2010’s NFL receiver. 

Dane credits his sister and grandmother as being two family members that have

“My older sister means the world to me and is one of my biggest motivations,” says Bryan, “always pushing me to be the best version of myself and being an encouraging and uplifting figure in my life.”  

Dane also speaks highly of his grandmother. 

"My grandmother is the rock of my family and has always held us down, especially me. She is probably my best friend and is one of my biggest supporters for life.”

Dane started playing for the Wappingers Indians Youth football league during the 2018 season, and played for the Wappingers modified team when he was in the eighth grade. 

“Middle school showed most people I really had a chance to be something great in football and prepared me to go onto my journey in high school.”

Despite not attending Ketcham for high school, Dane says he is still grateful for and keeps in contact with all of his teammates from his youth football days.

Lourdes was a new beginning for him, and he is so grateful for everyone who has helped him along the way. 

When Dane arrived at Lourdes, he was surrounded by greatness in each of the graduating classes before him. 

As a freshman playing on the JV team, guys like James DeSocio, Matt Krauza, and Angelo Salotto were in their senior year, breaking school records, almost going to the Carrier Dome, before losing a heartbreaking Class A regional title game in overtime to Somers 35-28. 

As a sophomore in his first year of varsity, he got to play alongside the power duo of seniors Mike Sabini and Joey Tempestilli, whom I affectionately call the Italian Stallions of Lourdes football. That season was plagued by injuries, in what 1982 Lourdes alumnus and Head Coach Sean Keenan called, a rebuilding year. 

“Joey is one of the best running backs I’ve ever seen touch a ball, and when thinking of someone I want to run like, he will always come to mind,” says Bryan.

His most memorable play came that season, when he blocked a punt against Cornwall and was able to pick up the fumble and run it in for a touchdown. 

As a junior last season, he played with seniors Drew Kozak, and Noey Ledesma. Kozak scored nine touchdowns in a home game against Wallkill. Despite last season's successes, Lourdes has struggled to beat powers like Cornwall and Minisink Valley.

That narrative will change this year with Dane Byran in his final year. 

“Cornwall and Minisink Valley are amazing football programs with tough kids,” says Bryan.

“I believe we have a lot of young guys that have some experience after last year that are really gonna shock the section. To be in the race for a section title with teams like that, we just have to keep a good head on our shoulders and not let moments get too big for us. We have a talented football team; we just have to execute.”

“Those are the teams to beat right now in Class A. I believe we have a lot of young guys that have some experience after last year that are really going to shock the section. To be in the race for a section title with teams like that, we just have to keep a good head on our shoulders and not let moments get too big for us.”

On gamedays, he has a routine that he repeats every single time. 

“I keep my headphones on most of the morning and listen to music,” says Bryan.

“Music is my peace at times and helps me stay locked in on game day. The school day goes by, and I get treatment from our trainer, Mr. Myles Hansen, and he gets me right every time!” 

“We have our team dinner then I usually go off to look back at our plays for a little until pregame. If we are away, I usually go through all my plays on the bus ride and sing with Mike Domenico.”

"I like eating chicken, rice, and a vegetable, a light meal before each game."

Dane also started having Acai bowls and says that they have helped his game tremendously.

After a football game, Bryan has a postgame tradition where he goes to Taco Bell and then to Cold Stone Creamery or Stewart's Shops for ice cream.

"I'm a strawberry with sprinkles type of guy."

Past Lourdes, Dane is looking to attend Hamilton College in the NESCAC, and he wants to enter the medical field.

"It is an amazing academic school right here in New York State, and I have been in contact with several of their football program's coaches."

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