What are some of the top in-state football players saying about their opponent this weekend on the field? Find out now!
Player: Cheltenham quarterback Zachary Gaffin
Opponent: Quakertown
How has everything with the football season been going so far?
“As a team, our 2019 season has been off to a good start. We have been focused and are preparing ourselves every week for our next opponent. As an individual, my 2019 season has been going good and there are great opportunities ahead of me.”
Who is your next opponent? What are your thoughts on them overall?
“We play Quakertown and they are yet another competitive team, but I trust my teammates and I will come through with a victory.”
What do you feel your team can improve on?
“As a team, we need to focus on keeping our focus. Our coaches have told us that we need to work on staying focus and to keep our goals in mind. If we stay focused, we can accomplish the rest of our goals for the 2019 season.”
What are the keys for your team being successful going forward?
“A key for our team to be successful going forward is being able to finish. We can have a really good start to a lift, practice, or game but if we can’t finish then we lose some of the things that we gained. Being able to finish requires focus.”
What are your goals for the rest of the season?
“My goals for the rest of the season are to be able to finish averaging at least 10 tackles per game, make the playoffs, and go past the 2nd round in the playoffs.”
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Player: Central Valley linebacker Matt Merritt
Opponent: Keystone Oaks
How has everything with the football season been going so far?
“Our football season has been going great so far with a variety of guys stepping up and making plays and starting to get noticed by college coaches.”
Who is your next opponent? What are your thoughts on them overall?
“Our next opponent is Keystone Oaks. They are a decent team that we won against last year and that helped boast our team’s confidence. This year, I don’t know how they look because we haven’t gotten their film yet but what I’ve heard is they are the same as last year.”
What do you feel your team can improve on?
“I think our team can work on our self-esteem and communication a little bit. There are times in games when we talk back to the opponent after they said something to us, but what football is all about is getting into the opponents’ head.”
What are the keys for your team being successful going forward?
“I think the keys for our team’s success is to keep working hard throughout the week and never doubt a team based on their film. We have to come out every week with the same mentality.”
What are your goals for the rest of the season?
“My goals for the rest of the season is to continue to lead the team in interceptions and make more tackles, but also try and make a run for the WPIAL championship.”
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Player: Penn Charter wide receiver Aaron Maione
Opponent: Upper Dublin
How has everything with the football season been going so far?
“We are off to a good start and we are looking to get better every week.”
Who is your next opponent? What are your thoughts on them overall?
“We play Upper Dublin High School Friday night at their place. I actually grew up playing in their youth football program with most of the kids on the team, so this game is definitely meaningful for me personally. I’ve known Coach Stover since I was little, and I have a ton of respect for him and his program. They are always a very good team and we know Coach Stover will have them prepared.”
What do you feel your team can improve on?
“We need to improve in every aspect, every week, so we are at our best once the league schedule starts.”
What are the keys for your team being successful going forward?
“It’s the same every week. We need to play physical, fast football, as well as minimizing mistakes, limiting turnovers on offense and creating turnovers on defense. We all just need to stay focused on doing our job and executing on each play.”
What are your goals for the rest of the season?
“Our primary goal is always to win the Inter-AC.”
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Player: West Branch quarterback Ayden Gutierrez
Opponent: Everett
How has everything with the football season been going so far?
“Normally when you start slow, you'd say that your season hasn't started off right. Obviously, we want to win games, but in terms of effort, I'm happy. We have been able to consistently moving the ball, but we just aren't scoring enough. Personally, I'm happy with the passing game. I've been able to get some good looks, and my receivers are helping me out by making some big plays. Defensively, we have to buckle down and start making plays.”
Who is your next opponent? What are your thoughts on them overall?
“We travel to Everett. Again, they are another solid football team who brought some guys back. We lost in overtime against them last year, so we're looking to redeem ourselves this season.”
What do you feel your team can improve on?
“Right now, I think we need to focus on being consistent and taking advantage of the opportunities we get. We have to limit our turnovers and create more turnovers on defense. We are giving our opponents extra chances, and so far, that has come back to bite us.”
What are your goals for the rest of the season?
“My goals are to reach the postseason and win a few extra games. We went to the playoffs for the first time in a while last season, so everyone that's back saw the work that is required to be able to reach the postseason. We have a hungry group of guys, and I'm excited to see how it will all unfold.”
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Player: Cheltenham quarterback Zachary Gaffin
Opponent: Quakertown
How has everything with the football season been going so far?
“As a team, our 2019 season has been off to a good start. We have been focused and are preparing ourselves every week for our next opponent. As an individual, my 2019 season has been going good and there are great opportunities ahead of me.”
Who is your next opponent? What are your thoughts on them overall?
“We play Quakertown and they are yet another competitive team, but I trust my teammates and I will come through with a victory.”
What do you feel your team can improve on?
“As a team, we need to focus on keeping our focus. Our coaches have told us that we need to work on staying focus and to keep our goals in mind. If we stay focused, we can accomplish the rest of our goals for the 2019 season.”
What are the keys for your team being successful going forward?
“A key for our team to be successful going forward is being able to finish. We can have a really good start to a lift, practice, or game but if we can’t finish then we lose some of the things that we gained. Being able to finish requires focus.”
What are your goals for the rest of the season?
“My goals for the rest of the season are to be able to finish averaging at least 10 tackles per game, make the playoffs, and go past the 2nd round in the playoffs.”
.................................................................
Player: Central Valley linebacker Matt Merritt
Opponent: Keystone Oaks
How has everything with the football season been going so far?
“Our football season has been going great so far with a variety of guys stepping up and making plays and starting to get noticed by college coaches.”
Who is your next opponent? What are your thoughts on them overall?
“Our next opponent is Keystone Oaks. They are a decent team that we won against last year and that helped boast our team’s confidence. This year, I don’t know how they look because we haven’t gotten their film yet but what I’ve heard is they are the same as last year.”
What do you feel your team can improve on?
“I think our team can work on our self-esteem and communication a little bit. There are times in games when we talk back to the opponent after they said something to us, but what football is all about is getting into the opponents’ head.”
What are the keys for your team being successful going forward?
“I think the keys for our team’s success is to keep working hard throughout the week and never doubt a team based on their film. We have to come out every week with the same mentality.”
What are your goals for the rest of the season?
“My goals for the rest of the season is to continue to lead the team in interceptions and make more tackles, but also try and make a run for the WPIAL championship.”
.................................................................
Player: Penn Charter wide receiver Aaron Maione
Opponent: Upper Dublin
How has everything with the football season been going so far?
“We are off to a good start and we are looking to get better every week.”
Who is your next opponent? What are your thoughts on them overall?
“We play Upper Dublin High School Friday night at their place. I actually grew up playing in their youth football program with most of the kids on the team, so this game is definitely meaningful for me personally. I’ve known Coach Stover since I was little, and I have a ton of respect for him and his program. They are always a very good team and we know Coach Stover will have them prepared.”
What do you feel your team can improve on?
“We need to improve in every aspect, every week, so we are at our best once the league schedule starts.”
What are the keys for your team being successful going forward?
“It’s the same every week. We need to play physical, fast football, as well as minimizing mistakes, limiting turnovers on offense and creating turnovers on defense. We all just need to stay focused on doing our job and executing on each play.”
What are your goals for the rest of the season?
“Our primary goal is always to win the Inter-AC.”
.................................................................
Player: West Branch quarterback Ayden Gutierrez
Opponent: Everett
How has everything with the football season been going so far?
“Normally when you start slow, you'd say that your season hasn't started off right. Obviously, we want to win games, but in terms of effort, I'm happy. We have been able to consistently moving the ball, but we just aren't scoring enough. Personally, I'm happy with the passing game. I've been able to get some good looks, and my receivers are helping me out by making some big plays. Defensively, we have to buckle down and start making plays.”
Who is your next opponent? What are your thoughts on them overall?
“We travel to Everett. Again, they are another solid football team who brought some guys back. We lost in overtime against them last year, so we're looking to redeem ourselves this season.”
What do you feel your team can improve on?
“Right now, I think we need to focus on being consistent and taking advantage of the opportunities we get. We have to limit our turnovers and create more turnovers on defense. We are giving our opponents extra chances, and so far, that has come back to bite us.”
What are your goals for the rest of the season?
“My goals are to reach the postseason and win a few extra games. We went to the playoffs for the first time in a while last season, so everyone that's back saw the work that is required to be able to reach the postseason. We have a hungry group of guys, and I'm excited to see how it will all unfold.”
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