St. Joe's Prep playing for record and for Ryan

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- With one of the best running backs in the country on their roster - Denadre Swift - St. Joseph's Prep is gearing up to make a run for a school record of a third straight state title.

"People want to use the words 'defend the title,' but we don't own the title. We have the 2014 title. If someone tried to walk into the building and take that one we would defend it. But the 2015 title is up for grabs," Coach Gabe Infante said.

It could be up to Swift, their star junior running back and captain, to carry the load in 2015 after the prep graduated 24 players in the spring.

"It would mean everything to us. Not many teams have done that in the city. We are very young as a team. We've got to stay mature. The captains have to stay on the young guys day in and day out. I think we'll get there with the hard work that we put in," Swift said.

St. Joe's Prep is not only playing for a state title this year, but they're playing for Ryan Gillyard, their freshman running back and linebacker who died on their field from cardiac arrest in April during drills.

To honor Gillyard, the team is wearing his initials and his #30 on the back of their helmets.

"We will carry him in our hearts forever. We will never forget him. It's just a small token of our love for him and our show of solidarity as a community as continue to grieve his loss," Infante said.

"This season is for Ryan; my prayers go out to his family," Swift said.

Head Coach Infante says they're still grieving and the best way they can honor Gillyard is to win.