Leopards: A look back, and a look ahead

Caught on the tape recorder at Tuesday’s football luncheon:

“It came down to a fourth-and-1 and they jumped into a wildcat and they were able to knock us off the ball and run out the clock. So, we were right there and pleased how team played.” – Coach John Garrett. He was referring to the closing minutes of last Saturday's game, when Monmouth was able to control the clock while Lafayette needed a stop. That fourth-and-1 play resulted in a 16-yard gain and the Hawks were able to finish it off from there because Lafayette could not stop the clock.

“[Special teams coordinator Greg] Frantz has done great job building a culture on how important special teams are. A lot of kids coming in never had to play special teams because they were the best kids on their teams. Everybody was all-conference, all-state, something. So, when they got in the room, Coach Frantz really made it an emphasis point that you’re going to have to earn your spot and some of you guys aren’t going to be able to make the bus, especially for Patriot League games … We want 11 guys out there that are going to want to hit and make a difference in the game. I and the other seniors try to emphasize that you can change the game just by a punt, by a kick, by a huge kickoff return.” – Ryan Monteyne, who got the first punt block of his entire football career, on the lead role he can play as a member of all the special-teams units.

“Actually, we were supposed to be in holdup on that call and right before we lined up, Coach Frantz made the call to go for the block. The entire game we were not going for the block … hold them up. Try to get a good return. We all went for it. That was supposed to be the gap that was open and we flew through. Marco [Olivas] scooped up the ball. I thought they were going to get in the end zone, but at least we did get the touchdown with [Julian] Spigner right after that.” – Ryan Monteyne on his blocked punt that led to a Leopard touchdown. Olivas is only a freshman.

“We recruit quarterbacks nationally and we believe the Dallas-Fort Worth area is a great area to recruit so that’s one of the areas where we have boots on the ground. We were able to see Keegan through the normal recruiting process. Then we watched tape and were impressed. When we were allowed to watch him in the spring, we saw him live, then the real recruiting starts. We have to determine if they are the right kind of guys and if they love football. Just in the times we were with Keegan and watched him compete, he made that very clear that he’s an excellent competitor, loves the game, played with passion and had good football and personal character. He was able to check off all the boxes … Keegan came in in summer and dove right into learning the system, and leading the team, and getting in shape, and working extra. He’s in the building all the time watching tape with receivers and fellow quarterbacks. He just proved that every opportunity he was in there he kept getting better and better and better and he really, combined with natural talent, needs preparation and he played the most consistently and he’s proven to be the guy who is worthy to start.” – Coach  Garrett on the process that brought Shoemaker to this point.

“Jake [Marotti] is progressing well since his injury a few weeks ago and will continue to play more as he sees fit … Harrison [Greenhill] has an injury, and we look at it each day to see how he does, whether he practices or not, and we will assess it and determine whether he plays on Saturday … [Ian Grayson] did have an injury in the game [last Saturday] … we should be OK; we’ll be able to practice the right way, pretty normally, and be prepared for Saturday.” -- Coach Garrett on the status of a number of injured players and whether any position changes might be necessary to shore up the hard-hit defense for Saturday's home opener against Sacred Heart.

“[Sacred Heart will be] another big challenge in every phase … very versatile on offense … two backs are really good … quarterback is versatile, can escape and throw … good receivers and a tough offensive line … defense was a ton of ways to disrupt an offense with pressure … make the line of scrimmage messy with pressure … if you handle it early, it quiets down a little bit, but if you don’t, it’s like blood in the water and here come the sharks. So, we have to handle it early and keep our poise … thee have a reputation of being strong, tough, hard-nosed… but we are a much different team than that first year. We believe we have a chance to win every time we go out. We stand toe-to-toe and build confidence.”-- Coach Garrett on the task ahead this week vs. Sacred Heart.