Austin Synoga is the soft-spoken sort for Richards — not one for vocal theatrics. The junior defensive back definitely prefers to let his play do the talking.

And when he’s on, that talk ain’t cheap.

Sure, Richards coach Tony Sheehan has been stoked about the potential payoff, but when Synoga is playing as well as he is right now, the future seems to be pretty secondary.

“He is a player, man,” Sheehan said with a knowing nod. “Thank God he’s on our side because he covers things up. He covers a lot of ground. He just makes plays everywhere.

“He comes down, he hits like a Mack truck, and it’s great to see.”

Synoga was like a mosquito Friday night for the host Bulldogs during a 21-0 victory over Lemont in a South Suburban Conference crossover … seemingly everywhere at once.

His biggest contribution was an interception late in the first half when Lemont (4-4, 4-1 SSC Blue) was driving down the field facing only a 14-0 deficit. Without that pick, perhaps Richards (6-2, 5-0 SSC Red) gives up a score and the momentum changes.

He’s modest, as well.

“That was the first interception of my season,” Synoga said. “I can’t do nothing but thank the man who actually tipped the ball up, Seamus Doyle.”

It was a tough setback for Lemont, which appeared to be within striking distance before halftime but then got stymied by Synoga’s interception.

Senior running back Daniel Taylor had the most offensive success against a stout Richards defense that allowed only 112 yards. Lemont likely has to win its final regular-season game against T.F. North to reach the playoffs.

But back to the 5-foot-9, 140-pound Synoga. There are subtleties in his play that might not show up on a stat sheet for the Bulldogs, who have won six in a row and already clinched a playoff berth.

Case in point? He’s speedy, and nowhere was that more apparent than a 25-yard punt return at the conclusion of Lemont’s first drive in the third quarter. It put the ball on the Bulldogs’ 41.

Synoga also nearly came up with another interception on Lemont’s first drive of the fourth quarter. He gives a lot of credit to his older cousin Kesean Terry, a 2020 Richards graduate who played linebacker.

“He was the main guy I looked up to,” Synoga said.

And why?

“He knew how to hit,” Synoga said with a smile.

Synoga started in football at age 4. When he turned 7, while playing for the Worth-Ridge Panthers, Richards assistant Rick Pratl stepped into his life and taught him the finer points of the secondary.

Synoga listened to Pratl, who coaches the linebackers for the Bulldogs, and is prospering. Coincidentally, so is his team.

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“Defense just fits me,” Synoga said. “You get to really fly down and put your body on the line every play. It’s all up to you. You can’t let nothing behind you.

“You have to come down, be a player and put your body on the line for the team.”

Sheehan agrees wholeheartedly, seeing a bright future for Synoga beyond high school. Synoga confirmed he wants to play football in college.

“He’s just got to keep getting stronger and bigger,” Sheehan said. “But he can play at the next level.”

Junior defensive back Milan Mosley and senior cornerback Shaun Reynolds had interceptions Friday. Mosley pointed out even though Synoga is in the same class as him, he’s turning into a team leader.

“He’s been doing good, getting a lot of tackles, making big plays to keep us motivated and to give us confidence,” Mosley said. “He’s a great player.”

Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.