Bulldog Football's Matt Lyna Leads by Example

As the Bulldogs try to rebound from last week's disappointing opening game loss, they'll need to turn towards its leadership core to cure its ills. Dayton has the advantage of having 12 seniors that head coach Joe Goerge can turn to for guidance but perhaps none more than junior Matt Lyna.     

"Matt is outstanding and he's one of the hardest workers," said George, looking for someone—anyone—to step up against Bound Brook on Thursday. "Matt is a complete leader, especially with the off-field stuff like the off-season program lifting and everything that goes with that. We have big expectations for him this season."    

The junior guard/linebacker is considered a key component to his team, which made the serious concussion he suffered during a pre-season game in late August – and the subsequent weeks off to recuperate – that much more detrimental to the Bulldogs' success.   

Ever a fighter and competitor, though, Lyna said it took more courage telling the head trainer, Ike Spangler, that something was wrong than anything he ever did on the field.     

"At first I thought something was wrong [during the scrimmage when he got hurt] but I kept playing," said Lyna, who wasn't cleared until Thursday before the opener. "But the next day in practice my teammates could tell I was out of it and they told me I had to go tell the trainer—but I didn't want to do it [because] I hate missing time."     

Offensive practices sans Lyna were spotty at best, as the line had trouble filling his shoes. Lyna is the rock on the line and with Goerge taking precautionary steps and limiting the amount of plays he saw in the practice leading up to the opener and in the game itself, a 24-0 loss to New Providence, Dayton struggled to move the ball and establish any cohesion. Thankfully, it's been almost three weeks since Lyna's injury, so he should be more adept at playing at his customarily high level.    

"I'm ready to go out there and go all out and put my body on the line," Lyna said, no doubt feeling better physically for week two. "We can't come out slow. We just have to get right out there and we can't afford to come out flat."       

Coach Goerge hopes his team comes out with more fire this week and hopes Lyna shakes any rust he surely accrued during his time away.   

"Due to the concussion he missed a little bit," said Goerge, who figures to give Lyna a larger role this week. "What he may have lacked in reps and experience due to the injury, he's certainly made up for it with effort and strength. No question he's truly one of the strongest guys on the team, so that helps."     

Lyna will have to be strong to get Dayton out of its unsuspecting rut. A self-proclaimed quiet leader, he said he's looking forward to taking on a larger and more vocal role if needed.       

"I'm not the type that's very vocal but I'll lead by example because I just work hard," he said, adding that he doesn't mind getting on seniors, too. "Among my junior grade, me and a few others are more leaders towards our own grade [but] we mix in well with the seniors, too. I'm good friends with many of them, so if one of them is wrong I'll call them out on it. You just have to be honest with your teammates."     

Goerge agreed, adding that teammates will follow Lyna's lead, Thursday.    

"The thing about Matt is that he has a great attitude, he's a hard worker, and very strong. He's done some great things for us," said Goerge. "The coaches here say if no one is following then you're not really a leader. I don't care what type of leader you are but I just need leaders. And Matt certainly shows great leadership."    

Honesty. Strength. Leadership. Integrity. Hard work. Those are some of the common words bandied about when teammates and coaches discuss Matt Lyna. The Bulldogs will need every bit of his characteristics—and replicate them—if they want to rebound against Bound Brook.