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Congratulations to Sean Flynn of Morris Knolls, the Iron Hills Conference - Iron Division/ SPORTSINTHE GARDENSTATE.COM Boys Athlete of the Week for September 24 |
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Bob Decker's Golden Eagle gridiron preview |
| Of course Bill Regan realizes that the Morris Knolls football team that He'll put
on the field this year has no size. To quote Regan, "We come in medium, small and extra small ... let's just let it go at that." He'll also tell you that he has only six seniors on the squad and will be playing as many sophomores as seniors once the bell rings. "My father always used to say that the best time to play sophomores is when they are juniors," stated Regan He also says his numbers are such that he can't afford to do too much two-platooning. "When they wave at me to come out, that they're tired, I will just wave right back and tell them I'll see them at halftime," added Regan. And then, half-kidding aside, Regan talks about the attitude and the work ethic of this group, especially with the offensive and defensive lines. Yes, the line. This is where players check in on Day 1 of practice and then you don't hear about them for the rest of the season unless they get hurt. "This is where the battles take place and this is where we have the most experience," stated Regan, who is in his 26th season as the head coach of the Golden Eagles. "There is a lot of spirit in this group, a lot of pride." Yes, the line. Call it the firm of Finkel and Co. with offices on both sides of the ball. Finkel is senior Rob Finkel (5-11, 195) a returning two-way tackle and the firm's spiritual leader. "Rob organizes a lot that the line does emotionally," Regan added. "He comes up with the little chants they do and sometimes a little dance that goes with it ... he gets the line fired up and that in turn fires up the rest of the team." Senior Jeff Rossi (5-10, 197) is Finkel's running mate at the other tackle and he is the second-in-command in the firm, another two-way performer. Senior Rick Gordon (6-0, 175) and junior Matt Walter (6-1, 167) are the ends with soph Keith Deter (5-11, 145) backing up them both; senior Ron Leger (5-8, 172) and junior Shawn Corley (5-9, 165) are the guards; and sophomore Mike Donahue (5-11, 165) is the center. On defense, Gordon and Walter stay on the field at the end spots, as do Finkel and Rossi. Leger and Donahue are at guard to complete the front wall of the tight-tackle six defense Regan likes to use. These guys do a lot more than chant and jump around and psyche everybody up, mind you. They know how to play and they come to play. "These are solid, solid players ... and we get a great effort from each and every one of them every down," Regan explained. "They understand both sides of the ball very well and they also understand that we are counting on them, that we are building the team around them." Back on offense, Regan has a couple of sophomore quarterbacks fighting to start and run his Houston Veer. Greg Rossi (5-9, 155) and Mark Bolen (5-8, 142) won't cast big shadows on the field, but Regan is impressed with what they have accomplished in the preseason, even though they are only sophomores. "In our offense, we ask a lot from our quarterbacks and they have both absorbed quite a bit and have gained a lot of confidence," said Regan. "We're finding out what they can do and so are they, too." The running backs are senior Sean Flynn (5-9, 153), a starter last season, junior Bryan Gassenmeyer (5-8, 150) and sophomore Matt Bartek (5-8, 155). Senior Ben Baron (6-1, 168) is the flanker. On defense, Regan was still undecided on which two linebackers he will start from the quartet of junior Matt Ambrosi (5-10, 155), junior Josh Santiago, Rossi and Corley. Flynn and Gassenmeyer are at the corners while Baron is the safety and Bolen is the backup for all three. Regan points out one play this past scrimmage season that he feels is typical of this year's team. "An opposing fullback broke out of a trap play and was in the clear, Regan said. "Finkel came across the field from the other side of the line of scrimmage and caught the ran the kid down after a 50-yard run. That's typical of his effort ... his motor is running all the time.' It's an effort much like he feels he is getting all the time from his troops. "I had a lot of wide-eyed younger players at the beginning of practice," continued Regan. "There were a lot of people whom I told were going to have to grow up quickly. But I've seen it the past couple weeks. The level of competition in the Iron Hills Conference is very good. The coaching is excellent and it's a great challenge to play in this league because you have to come up with a top effort every single week. But it would be boring if were any less though, and we don't intend to be bored this year." |
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