Lehigh University Athletics
Lembo points out "ones to watch" as final scrimmage nears
8/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Preseason camp has been a productive one for the 2005 Mountain Hawks. Although many student-athletes have performed well thus far, a few new names that may be new to Lehigh football fans have caught the eye of head coach Pete Lembo, now in his fifth season. Offensively, Lembo points to junior tight end Pete Morelli as being one of that unit’s most improved players this preseason. “Pete finished the spring as our No. 2 tight end, and has shown steady improvement,” Lembo said Thursday night at practice. “In camp, he has been a very physical blocker, he has improved mentally, and he is a very durable player with an outstanding work ethic. We hope he will continue to improve with hard work at practice.”
On the defensive side of the ball, junior lineman Paul Fabre has caught Lembo’s watchful eye. “Paul saw limited time on special teams last year, but he has really made tremendous strides as a defensive lineman since the spring,” Lembo explains. “Paul is in excellent physical condition, and he looks good rushing the passer. We expect him to continue to be an asset on special teams.”
Freshman cornerback Jarvis Lewis has also made an early impact on Lembo. “At 5’10”, 190 pounds, Jarvis possesses excellent feet and terrific speed,” Lembo points out. “He reminds me of a young Lawrence Williams. It will be a challenge for Jarvis to break into our two-deep because of the outstanding depth we have at cornerback. Having said that, we envision Jarvis being an asset to our special teams unit as well as our secondary.”
Lewis will be one of several younger players to be featured at Saturday night’s scrimmage. “We want to continue to evaluate our younger personnel under game-like conditions,” Lembo said. “We will cover a multitude of game situations that may occur in our first game, or in other games later on.”
Saturday night’s scrimmage will take place at 7:30 on the Whitehead Practice Fields. Fans are welcome to attend, free of charge. The weekend concludes with a Sunday afternoon practice, followed by the annual Alumni Steak Fry.
Defending Patriot League champion Lehigh hosts defending NEC champion Monmouth in its season opener at Goodman Stadium on Kids Day, September 3. The Mountain Hawks boast the highest winning percentage in all of I-AA football over the last seven seasons, winning nearly 83% of their games. Tickets to the Monmouth contest – and all Lehigh home games – can be purchased by calling (610) 7LU-GAME, or on-line anytime at lehighsports.com.
CAMP CHATTER: Lembo surprised the team on Wednesday when he pulled them off the field at the start of practice, and brought the entire team to Jacobs Pool in Taylor Gym for a fun change of pace … season ticket sales are at their highest level since at least the 1997 season … the Lehigh football family was saddened by the passing of Robert Roseberry, 37, late Tuesday night. Roseberry spent the last four-plus seasons as a video coordinator for Lehigh football, filming practices and games, and traveling with the team. “Robert was a tremendous asset to the program, and was a well-liked member of the football family,” Lembo said. “His positive attitude and loyalty to Lehigh football made us all better, and I’d like to think that the last four years of his life were perhaps more fulfilling because of his relationship with us.”
