The Menendez football program made a lot of noise in their first official week of spring drills. The Falcons had a lot of visitors. Six colleges made visits along with another familiar face that sparked the entire team. “It was a great first week!” Said Falcons second year head coach Matt Potak. “The energy was high and the leadership is much improved.”
Former Falcon great Tony Steward spoke to the team on Thursday and told the group encouraging words. Steward plans to help at Menendez this season in a mentor role for the program. Steward graduated Menendez in 2011 and played for Clemson and the Buffalo Bills. Steward is an inspiration to the community. “Having Tony speak was incredible,” said Potak. “Tony walked the halls here from 07-11, he’s been in their shoes. Tony Steward shows us all that dreams can become a reality.” Menendez Athletic Director Matt McCool also spoke to the team early in the week about being a champion on and off the field.
Throughout the first week of spring practice, the “I Will” message has been clear to the team. The players want to improve in all phases of life and will use this standard to grow a positive culture on and off the field. On the field, the Falcons will look to improve off of a 5-5 campaign in 2021. The team had a great off-season in the weight room and will return a lot of key players from last season.
Key returning players:
LB Joseph Soto, 5’11, 203lbs
DB Julian Quintero, 6’1, 180lbs
WR Trenton Jones, 5’10, 150
ATH Kani Harris,
OL Ethan Carr, 6’2, 230lbs
*ATH Noah Lawless*
DE Jake Orr, 6’2, 210
DT Eyan Dekle, RB Chase Anderson,
RB/LB Zahki James, 6’0, 200
ATH Christian Coleman,
DB Tomas Jones,
TE/FB Michael Boccio 6’0, 190
A quarterback competition will include Brooks Cornelison, Cason Blanco and athlete Jevon Welch.
Coach Allen DeVos, Menendez’s Director of Football Operations, showcased the teams core values and code of conduct policies prior to Stewards talk to the team. DeVos and members of the leadership team went over the new rules with the players. “Coach DeVos has been running our leadership meetings since last season,” said Potak. “His commitment to the group has created a very positive effect on the team.
We are continuing to see improvements in our players each week. It has been life changing for all of us!” Potak said that the leadership team meets once every two weeks during the off-season and once a week during the season. Coach DeVos will have a lesson and the players will discuss as a group. This past January, the team decided to change their motto after a very effective leadership meeting. The team will now use “I Will” as their slogan. Coach DeVos did an outstanding leadership meeting about Iowa state legend Jack Trice. The story was played on ESPN last year. It showed the sacrifices that Jack Trice made when he played at Iowa State back in the 1920s. Jack Trice wrote down the statement “I Will” prior to the game. The story revamped when Iowa State fan Nicholas Basset posted his story on social media about using the “I Will” slogan. Bassett was going through a health concern and vowed to make it to the first Cyclone home game that season. “The Jack Trice story is inspirational,” said Potak. “The kids really enjoyed watching and it gave them an understanding of what the “I Will” standard means.
The entire coaching staff returns from 2021, this will continue to help with overall continuity. Ronnell Ray returns as Defensive Coordinator with Mike Babineau returning as Offensive Coordinator . The Falcons are focused on the team first mentality. “We have a great group of young men,” said Potak. “The kids understand that it is about the team. We before me. If their teammates succeed, they will succeed.”
Menendez will face Westside in their Spring Football game May 19th, 2022 , 7pm at Menendez
