Published: August 30, 2008 12:44 am            

Hilltop coach set for debut

Matt Glennon isn’t afraid to admit that he’s a little nervous heading into today’s game with Bishop Guilfoyle.

The first-year head coach at Westmont Hilltop has played at Dickinson College and coached in big games at Central Dauphin, but that was a different experience. For the first time, he’ll take the field as a head coach today when the Hilltoppers host the Marauders at 1 p.m.

“My anxiety is building a little bit,” he said Friday. “Being in the Laurel Highlands, which is all new to me, I really don’t know what to expect. That makes it a little nerve-wracking, but a little more exciting as well.”

One thing he’s sure of: He likes the idea of opening at home on a Saturday afternoon.

“There’s an advantage,” he said of playing a team that normally plays on Friday nights. “They’re coming from Altoona for an afternoon game. It’ll be warm. It will be a different atmosphere in the stands. That’s one of the nice things about being here. We’re looking forward to that atmosphere.”

Glennon got off to a late start, as he wasn’t hired until almost June, but he thinks his Hilltoppers are ready to open the season. They’re also back to full strength, with the return of lineman Dan Curry, who missed much of the preseason with a knee injury.

“We’re as healthy as we can be,” Glennon said.

Glennon said the first priority against Bishop Guilfoyle – and all teams for that matter – will be to run the ball effectively and stop the run.

But the Westmont coach knows that the Marauders aren’t one-dimensional.

“Offensively, they’re multiple. They’re very proficient,” he said. “Their quarterback (Chris Brown) is very good. He was hurt last year against Westmont, but he’s back. He’s very impressive on film. They’re very fundamentally sound.’

The Hilltoppers won 22-6 a year ago.

In other games this afternoon:

n Portage at Rockwood: The Mustangs return 19 starters from last year’s squad, which went 9-0 in the regular season. Running back Mike Sinosky returns after rushing for 1,320 yards as a sophomore.

Rockwood, which has 14 returning starters, will be looking for a better result than last year’s 33-0 loss to Portage.

n Conemaugh Township at Blacklick Valley: These two did not meet last year, but this could be a key game for both teams. The Vikings, who went 5-5 last year, have speed at the skill positions as Taylor Holby will handle the quarterback duties in the new spread formation with Ted Worthington in the backfield.

The Indians counter with a young squad that has seven starters back after going 6-4 a year ago. Matt Duray will lead the offense after playing tight end as a junior, but isn’t completely new to the position, as he did take some snaps as a sophomore.

        

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