http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/
FROM KEITH GROLLER
The Lehigh football team has six Lehigh Valley-area players on its roster, which is the most it has had in a long time.
Checked with head coach Andy Coen today for an update on how all six are doing with a little more than two weeks left before the Mountain Hawks play their season opener against Central Connecticut State on Sept. 7 at Goodman Stadium.
Coen had nothing but good things to say about all six.
More to come in a print story later this week, but here's his comments on each of the six:
Senior Center Matt Lippincott, Wilson:
"Matt has played some guard and some center and we've moved him back to center. He's done a really good job in there so I foresee him being our starting center. He has good leadership skills and gets all of the calls right, which is so important.
"He had some health issues the past couple of years and feels a lot better and that's great to see."
Junior Wide Receiver Josh Parris, Palisades:
"Josh will be one of our starting receivers at the Z [flanker] position. He played a lot last year, but as more of a role player. When he got the chance he stepped up and did very well. We're really looking for him to a great year. Josh played some in the slot last year and he might see some time there again this season."
Freshman Quarterback Nick Shafnisky, Whitehall:
"I am very pleased with Nick. I think he's got a very bright future. What I really like about him are the intangibles. He's really got innate leadership skills, and you can see the younger kids are gravitating toward him a little bit already.
"Plus, he's got a really strong arm, great feet, all of the things we saw on tape. He showed us a lot during this training camp. I'm excited for him for the future. He has been getting a lot of reps because [projected starter] Brandon Bialkowski got banged up a little the other day. So Nick's gotten a lot more reps and he has done well with it.
"I've been surprised with how well he's picked up the playbook, at least early in the process. As we've gotten a little deeper into it, he maybe hasn't been as sharp as he would have been on some other days. But what I really like is that he learns from his mistakes. He has a great demeanor about him. If he makes a mistake, I think he's the type of kid that can put it behind him. He'll learn and move on. He's a really good competitor. He's got physical toughness, but more than that, he's got mental toughness as well. He has been able to keep things together."
Sophomore Inside Linebacker Noah Robb, Central Catholic
"Noah is doing very well. He continues to improve as he makes the transition to inside linebacker. He's one of our starters and I don't see that changing between now and the start of the season. I am seeing him getting better and more physical. We asked him to make a change and it wasn't easy because this was something different from anything he has ever done. He's a bright kid and he's a physical player. He wants to be good."
Sophomore Outside Linebacker Matt Laub, Parkland
"Matt has really improved from the spring time, playing our strong side outside linebacker. He's a very good pass rusher and he's a great complement to Nigel Muhammad. They play the same position, but Matt will get some reps in there without a doubt. He's also going to help us out on special teams. He's a very good long snapper. He stepped in for Kyle Lechner last year, and while Kyle is back this year, we know that Matt can do that and he's going to play a significant role for us on special teams."
Freshman Linebacker Evan Kauffman, Freedom
"Evan's learning. Because we have a couple of guys banged up, he has gotten more reps in practice recently with the second and third units. He is showing some good things."
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