Rob Matz
During Central Tech’s scrimmage against Meadville Saturday at Veterans Stadium, Falcons coach Rob Matz was pleased to learn that his team can be physical.
“Our kids are very hungry, (and) our kids are very physical,” Matz said. It was that physical play that Matz said helped keep Meadville’s running game in check, including Artrel Foster, the Bulldogs’ senior running back who has verbally committed to Temple University. Matz complimented Meadville as a fast and physical team.
Matz also was impressed with his team’s speed, particularly from his running backs. Among players he commended were three seniors, running back Cameron Sanders, fullback Eli Rydzewski and quarterback Paul Kafando, along with junior receivers Calvin Franklin and Eddie Tate.
Sometimes, Central Tech’s aggressiveness on defense backfired.
“There were a couple times we bit on a quarterback bootleg pass and paid the price for it,” Matz said.
He also said some of his players were injured during the scrimmage, but that he could not specify which players because of HIPAA laws. Matz said he was very impressed with the players who stepped in for injured teammates.
Position battles: Central Tech had several miscues involving snaps of the ball, and the starting center position is still up for grabs. Competing to start Week 1 are Matt Rea, Alex Rivera and Jeff Peyton. Darrel Beason, who impressed Matz with his play in the scrimmage, will compete with Albert Jones to start at defensive end.
Ford’s East squad small but improving
Leonard Ford
East coach Leonard Ford was pleased with his team’s effort in its scrimmage against Bradford Saturday at Veterans Stadium.
“It went very well,” Ford said, adding that the Warriors experimented with some defensive changes.
“We added more dimensions,” he said. “Just schemes up front, turning our linebackers into defensive linemen. We’re not the biggest team, so it allowed us to get some penetration in different areas that, being undersized, you wouldn’t get.”
Although Ford said his team has a low turnout this season, he is optimistic about the talent level on the roster.
“There are at least 11 guys willing to keep (the other team) out of the end zone,” he said. “Just the heart and tenacity that these kids are bringing on the defensive side, that really impressed me.”
Still, Ford said the team has a long way to go. With injuries and graduates leaving his offensive line mostly vacated, Ford said there is room for improvement in both run blocking and pass blocking.
Senior and second-year starting quarterback Jauwan Ford turned a bad snap into a 60-yard run on East’s first offensive play, and coach Ford was impressed with the way his son led the offense.
“Jauwan’s definitely going to be the coach on the offensive side that, when things go wrong, he makes things happen,” Leonard Ford said. “He’s carrying some big responsibilities.”
Another player that Leonard Ford said he was impressed with was Patrick Williamson, a senior and transfer from Cathedral Prep. Williamson will play guard and defensive tackle for the Warriors.
Position battle: Eddie Williams, Anthony Palau and Jon Peters are competing for a starting cornerback slot. Ford said that one of the players will be moved to safety, leaving the other two to battle for the cornerback position for Week 1.
