Coaches Corner: Canyon Lake’s Matt Monzingo

Head Coach Matt Monzingo

Canyon Lake had their worst offensive game last season in Sealy. The Hawks only totaled  65 total yards and no other CL team in the last three years have had a game as anemic than that night.

The offensive and defensive line controlled the trenches for Sealy and finished the game for a 33-6 victory.

“We are better mentally,” Head Coach Matt Monzingo said. “The players have put more sweat and have a bigger investment in this season.”

The Hawks topped 400 yards against La Vernia and also had the Rushing and Passing top 200 yards. That balance was last seen against Fredericksburg last season.

“Last years team might have been intimidated and not ready for a top 10 team,” Coach Monzingo quipped. “The kids this year are different and have a ton of confidence.”

“Anytime you are not one dimensional, then it makes it harder for the other team to stop you,” Coach Monzingo continued. “Sealy stopped (Eduardo) Covarrubias last season and basically shut us down.”

One of the surprises so far in the young season is the play of the Hawk’s defense.

“We have a young secondary that has been solid,” Monzingo boasted. “The linebackers are playing real solid…McGuire Johnson has really stepped it up.”

“The defensive line has been revamped and has played well…Alex Kemp will be at full speed for this game,” Coach Monzingo stated.

Branson Belcher has thrown his last interception if you take the norms of last year’s season into view.

Belcher went the rest of the year throwing into his own players arms. The interceptions were in the first game and against Blanco. Using either example still tells you that the one interception two games ago might be the only time it will happen…knowing that Blanco will not be on the schedule again this season.

“He (Belcher) is getting more poise at quarterback,” Coach Monzingo said. “He has managed the game well and the two of the three sacks were covered sacks.”

When asked about what Canyon Lake will need to do in order to be looking at a 3-0 record after this Friday…Coach Monzingo finished, “We need to be real disciplined in our route running and keep progressing as a team. Last year was a wake up call when we ended up playing one more game in the playoffs than Sealy. There is so much down the road and we know they are athletic and well coached. We feel we can compete with them.”

This Friday, you will need to get to the stadium early…this will be a game that the Hawks will be able to make a statement on where the young program has progressed.

Good Luck Hawks!!