Why Elias Ridlo is one of the standout three-sport athletes at San Pedro High School

When Elias Ridlow was a 14-year-old freshman who donned football pads for the first time to try to impress his parents at home, he didn’t know what he was doing.

“I didn’t know how much range of motion I would be exercising or how it would affect my speed,” he said.

His father tried to help him.

“I walked outside and knocked on the door and he said, ‘You’re going to have to get used to pads.’”

Redlew, who is 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, has become as comfortable in the pads as Superman in a red cape.

He became a three-sport standout at San Pedro High School with a 4.7 grade point average. He was the City Division Open Offensive Player of the Year as a junior receiver. This season, he has 60 catches for 1,150 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is also the starting dunking guard on the basketball team and is one of the favorites to win the City High Jump Championship after finishing second last year.

He’ll be one of the players to watch when San Pedro hosts Carson on Thursday night to decide the Navy Football League championship.

“He never played football until high school,” coach Corey Walsh said. “His potential is very high. And every year, he continues to improve.”

Redlew’s intelligence combined with a personality that makes him unafraid to explore new experiences offers insight into an athlete who is not afraid to be uncomfortable at times.

“Experience brings you intelligence,” he said. “If you step out of your comfort zone, it will build knowledge.”

San Pedro basketball coach John Bobic has known Ridlow since he was 11 years old. He was a member of the youth basketball team with his son.

“He is one of the most humble and kindest athletes I know,” Bobic said. “He certainly has the record for fist bumps, as there’s not a day that goes by where Elias walks up with a fist bump and smiles and says, ‘Hey Coach B!'”

Redlew got a B in high school. He is taking four Advanced Placement classes this semester.

“I am ready for this challenge,” he said. “In order to practice sports, I had to follow books. In middle school, I was always shy and thought I could do it on my own. I learned to ask for help. Teachers will never refuse to help you.”

Redlew welcomes challenges on and off the field. He has had some great performances this season. He had six catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns against the Wilmington Banning. He had 11 receptions for 217 yards and two touchdowns against undefeated Laguna Beach. There were six catches for 212 yards and two touchdowns against Granada Hills Kennedy.

“I really like how different it is,” Ridlow said about playing receiver. “There’s a lot of unknowns you can do with the player guarding you. He doesn’t know your next move. You have the ability to impact the game as long as your team trusts you.”

San Pedro (5-4, 3-0) vs. Carson (6-3, 3-0) is always a great rivalry game. This should be better than ever. Besides the league title being on the line, a Carson win could push the Colts into the No. 1 seed in the Open City Section playoffs. The pairing will be revealed on Saturday. The atmosphere must be electric in San Pedro.

“I can’t wait for this game,” Ridlow said. “Everyone will be there. Everyone knows this is the biggest game of the year and it’s senior night.”

If San Pedro wins, he might next take a dip in the gym or pop the high jump hole and attempt a career-best 6-2.

No matter what, it’s okay to admire a teenager who gets an “A” on his report card, plays three sports, and has a desire to challenge his mind and body every day.