Ilario a Tale of Tears and Tears

Dylan Ilario’s story is not an easy one to tell.  And it’s impossible to read without flinching, cringing, gasping or sobbing.  

Many like to compare it to the film Rudy.  You know, the talentless walk-on football player who persevered through never-ending ridicule only to be carried off the field at Notre Dame in the 70s?   

And in some aspects, it is.  But talent was never the issue with Ilario.  Actually, he may have had too much for his own good.  So much so that his right knee couldn’t take all the speed, jukes, spins and cuts he was forcing upon it.

By the beginning of his senior year, Ilario managed to tear his right ACL on three separate occasions; the first coming in a highly touted freshman year. 

“He was a top athlete in his grade coming into high school,” varsity football coach Steve Mileti said.  “Then everything just went wrong for him.”

The first injury, which happened while he was playing JV lacrosse against Ward Melville, sidelined him for six months.   No more lacrosse, no football and especially no basketball. 

“I still remember it,” Ilario said.  “It was horrible.”

After an extensive rehab, one where his parents were driving him to Garden City three to four times a week for six months, Ilario was back to playing box lacrosse in the gym with his teammates as a sophomore.  But on the third day of action, it happened again.  Same knee, same devastating injury. 

“The second time, I honestly saw it as another opportunity to prove myself again,” he said.  “I really wasn’t that nervous, I was actually pumped to get back at it.”

This led to a 13-month rehab stint, from February of his tenth grade year until March his junior year.  He said he turned into a “gym rat” and when he wasn’t in Garden City working with physical trainers, he was bulking up on his own. 

Like his coaches, Ilario was expecting big things last lacrosse season.  His knee was finally feeling strong and with a top preseason national ranking, he was ready to contribute to a state championship contender.  That was until he ripped the same ACL for a third time during the second week of practice.  But unlike the first two tears, he opted not to have another operation. 

“I’ve had surgeries every year since I was a freshman,” he said.  “I wanted a summer where I can just be a kid again.” 

Okay, so this is where Ilario’s story gets a little Rudy-esque.  A strong mental approach (to say the least) and intense workout regimen landed him a spot on this year’s football team, a spot he was destined to star in years ago. 

In their first game of the season this past Saturday, West Islip was up comfortably on Pat-Med.  Mileti put Ilario in during the fourth quarter, which drew heavy emotion and anticipation from the crowd. 

Everyone knew what he went through to get himself back in this position.  And with just under six minutes remaining, it happened. 

“We had him run a stop [pattern],” Mileti said.  “He caught it, made a move, kid missed a tackle and he was gone.”  Ilario’s first-ever catch as a varsity football player went for a touchdown.  You can’t make this stuff up. 

“It was just emotional, the crowd went crazy,” Mileti said.  “It was a surreal moment for everyone that was there.”

“I lost it to be honest, it’s a blur to me,” Ilario said.  “It was probably the happiest day of my life and the most emotional moment of my life.”

He said he had looked up to the stands and saw his family overcome with tears.  Seeing his mother cry was especially heartwrenching.

“My family, they’ve been behind me the whole time,” he said.  “Just for them to be there, it was unbelievable.  I’m not sure I’m going to have many more days like that.” 

That is, until the movie comes out.