Coach Frank Monica hopes young squad matures quickly

By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

When it comes to Comet football this season, Coach Frank Monica has a few concerns.

&#8220It might look like something out of ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids,’” he said.

What he is referring to is the youth on a team that graduated 25 seniors last year. That type of turnover would have any coach on his toes.

&#8220Yeah, it looks like I’m going to actually have to coach this year. We’re going to have a young team,” Monica said. &#8220And we’re going to be on the smaller side than we were last year. I joke that instead of serving Gatorade at halftime, I’m going to have to serve Similac.”

Monica’s concern is not unwarranted. With only five starters returning from last season’s state runner-up team, he knows that his team will look much different. But the coach hopes to turn any of those seeming weaknesses into possible advantages with his game plan.

&#8220I’m hoping that we can play like a bunch of fleas and aggravate somebody. We have a decent bit of athletecism. We should be relatively quick. But we’re going to have to get passed the size disadvantage.”

On the plus side, one of the returning starters will be senior Phillip Sutton at the quarterback position. He was a leader on the squad last season and should bring some consistency and a veteran quality. Also returning is running back Jonathan Cancienne who played a reserve role

last year, but earned valuable playing time throughout the season and the playoffs.