Coach’s Corner
By:  Coach Capuano
 The Goalpost
 Volume 7, Issue 2
 Sept 2003

      After the half way mark in the season, the Tigers are 4-1 and 2-1 in the conference. The Tigers had a great start to the season, not only did they open at home, but played their first game on the new surface in Tiger Stadium. The crowd was treated to a great opening. The defense, lead by A. Q. Shipley caused the Hampton tailback to fumble on the first play. On Moon’s first offensive play, Robbie Leonard scored. The Tigers lead 21-7 at halftime and played well on both sides of the ball. The final score was 34 – 13. Robbie Leonard and Matt Dowdell did well in their first varsity game at TB and QB. The Tigers were concerned about those two positions coming into the season. Guy Lucas ran well also. The Tiger secondary did well intercepting three passes- Chris Boyer, Robbie Leonard and Mitch Morsillo, who ran his in for a touchdown from his linebacker position.

      The second game of the season had the Tigers on the road at Blackhawk. The Cougars were the pre-season favorite to win the conference. Moon has had success with the Cougars since 1998, but this night belonged to Blackhawk. The game was close until the closing minutes of the first half. On fourth and long inside of Moon’s territory, the Cougars converted the first down and scored on the next play to make it 7-0. The next series, the Tigers had a pass intercepted and Blackhawk went up top to score to make it 14-0 before the half. The second half’s only score came when Blackhawk pick off another pass and scored to make the final 21-0.

      Moon came back home for the third game against Highlands. Highlands was undefeated coming into this game and Moon lost the last two times they met. The Tigers were fired up and wanting to make up for the loss the week before. Just as in the first game, the Tigers got an early turnover, when Mike Yakima intercepted a pass and gave Moon great field position. Robbie Leonard scored the early TD and the Tigers were up 7-0. Brian Sherman kicked the kickoff into the end zone for the second time and Highlands had trouble moving the ball against Moon’s defense. The Tigers scored two more times in the first quarter and lead at halftime 21-3. The Tigers went on to win 35-9.

      The fourth game of the season was at home with New Castle. The Tigers scored 21 first quarter points and were leading at halftime 41-0. Robbie Leonard, Guy Lucas, Scott Derenda, and Nicky Peterson all scored for the Tigers.

      Last Friday the Tigers traveled to Ambridge to play the up and coming Bridgers. The game was close and Ambridge took the opening drive and moved it down the field to the Tigers 25 yard line before the Tigers forced a fumble that Brian Schmidt recovered. The Tigers put together some first downs and then to the trick play with Robbie Leonard throwing the pass play to Ryan Helfrich for a 60 yard bomb; 6-0 was the half time score. Ambridge managed another drive in the third quarter, but Robbie Leonard intercepted a pass in the endzone to stop the drive. The Tigers came back with a 80 yard drive to make the score 13-0. Ambridge scored later on a punt return and the Tigers held on to win 13-6.

      So after five weeks the Tigers are 4-1 and have some tough games ahead. The team lost Mitch Morsillo LB / FB for the season with a shoulder injury.  He will be missed.