Towson High Football Fights Turnover

In his second year as Towson High School's head football coach, Scott Mathena is off to a good start with a victory in his first game. 

Just two years ago, before he took over, the team won only two games all season.

With Mathena as coach last year the Generals were a playoff contender. The team finished 2009 with a 7-3 record, just missing the postseason. 

Coach Mathena expects much of the same this year.

"We have some young kids," he said. "We are hoping to win a couple games early, and get them some experience."

The coach trusts this will lead to another positive year–maybe even a playoff spot–but Mathena knows getting to the postseason will be tough with such a young team.

Both his starting quarterback and running back graduated, and only six players returned from his starting offense. Still, Mathena said his team sports a solid core of good players. 

The Generals will be establishing their ground game with senior fullback Michael Obineme–who Mathena described as his "workhorse"–and junior running back Bennett Okoro.

"We plan to ride their coat tails," Mathena said. "Bennett's wheels and Michael's power running."

Mathena was also very happy with two of his offensive linemen: juniors Fred Taylor and Timmy Jarosinski. The head coach expects these two big upperclassmen to pave the way for the running game.

Mathena was confident in his offense, but seemed a little tentative about his defense.  The Generals will be starting two young cornerbacks–both sophomores–as well as younger players at safety.

He said he expects his defensive line to make up for much of his secondary's inexperience.  A great way to protect a young secondary is by quickly pressuring the opposing quarterback.

Coach Mathena could not stop praising junior defensive lineman Azubuike Ukandu, who started on varsity last year as a sophomore.

Mathena bragged that Ukandu had gotten even stronger this off-season.  Ukandu and fellow junior defensive lineman Lorenzo Moore will anchor the young Generals defense.  And to add a little more experience on that side of the ball, Mathena will be asking Michael Obineme to perform double duty: the fullback will also be playing linebacker.

The varsity team looks a lot different than the squad that went 7-3 just a year ago, but the coach said he is not making excuses. He said he expects a lot from his team. Once certain players–like Ukandu–return from injury in two to three weeks, the Generals will be at full strength. 

2009 record: 7-3

Returning Starters (offense): 6

Returning Starters (defense): 7

2010 record: 1-0 (W versus Digital Harbor 21-6 on 9/4)