Jackson and Healion reflect on careers at luncheon
11/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh meets Bucknell this weekend in the Mountain Hawks final home game of the 2008 season. On Wednesday, head coach Andy Coen and seniors Troy Healion and Brian Jackson gathered at the Copperhead Grille on Airport Road in Allentown to discuss the upcoming game with the Bison, and to reflect on the past four years of their Lehigh Football careers.
LEHIGH HEAD COACH ANDY COEN
On last week’s game against Colgate: “It was another difficult loss, probably the most difficult of the season for us in what’s been a very challenging season, because it really knocked us out of the championship race, and that’s obviously our goal…Towards the end we made too many mistakes, and that just kind of typifies the season we’ve had. It seems that every time we make a mistake we really pay dearly for it.”
On playing Bucknell this weekend: “They bring an option style attack, which is another different style of offense that we need to prepare for this week. Defensively they’re a fairly base defense, but they’re pretty sound and solid in what they do. They try not to give you the big play; they want you to really drive the length of the field. So we’re going to have to be very sharp and protect the football and really work on execution on Saturday.”
On what the team has to play for this week: “This game and the rest of this season are really all about the seniors on our football team. This Saturday will be the seniors’ last opportunity to play at Goodman Stadium. We certainly want them to go out on a strong note. Winning your last home football game is always a very special memory and I certainly want the kids to leave our program with that.”
On how he feels about the senior class: “I feel very strongly about this class, and there are two great examples right next to me. These two guys, how they’ve matured and developed as young men and football players, is really what it’s all about. This will be a special group to me because they’ve done a great job as seniors keeping the focus week after week through a very challenging season, and I certainly credit their leadership for that.”
On Bucknell’s success on special teams: “A lot of their productivity has really been from (Bucknell running back A.J.) Kizekai. He’s a dynamic player without a doubt. He arguably could be the fastest player on the field on Saturday. You just have to really make sure you get people around him and gang tackle and limit his opportunities there. ”
LEHIGH SENIOR TIGHT END TROY HEALION
On the team’s confidence after the tough loss: “As much as you’re only as good as your record shows, we all know a lot of these games could have gone either way with one play here or there. I think we’re a real confident group still. We have a lot of talent and we’ve really gotten better every week. So we’re very confident going into these last two weeks that we’re going to end our four-year careers on a good note.”
On junior linebacker Al Pierce playing as a running back: “I’ll tell you, he looked really good, especially on the sideline there with that one hit. He’s a really fast player, one of the fastest guys on the team and he played really well. You never know about next year, we’ll see if he’s a little compliment to Jaren (Walker).”
LEHIGH SENIOR DEFENSIVE LINEMAN BRIAN JACKSON
On playing his final game at Goodman Stadium on Saturday: “I can’t believe it came so fast. As a freshman, you always take it for granted when the seniors tell you it’s only 44 games, and I just can’t believe it’s here. When I think about all the times I’ve played in Goodman Stadium I just get real nostalgic. It’s going to be a kind of depressing Saturday, win or lose, to leave the stadium and the fans. But I’ve had a great year and I’ve had fun, so that’s the most important thing.”
The Mountain Hawks and Bison get things started at 12:30 on Saturday afternoon from Goodman Stadium. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling 610-7LU-GAME, by visiting the Lehigh Athletics Ticket Office, located in Grace Hall, or by logging onto Lehighsports.com.
Lehigh Football Luncheon, November 12, 2008
