Dons look to end on a high note
Madonna closes its season hosting Trinity Christian at home on Friday night
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WEIRTON -- Going into its final game of the season, it's safe to say first-year coach Mauro Monz and his Madonna team have multiple reasons to play hard for a win despite being out of the playoff race.
The Blue Dons conclude the first season of the Monz era on Friday night at home when Morgantown Trinity Christian comes to Jimmy Carey Stadium.
"We have four seniors and we want to send them out on a high note," Madonna head coach Mauro Monz said. "They have had great careers and it's been kind of a tribute week to them.
"We've also been talking about the future with 90 percent of our team coming back. The kids are upbeat. We've played some really exciting football games this year and this has been an exciting young football team to watch.
"Every game has been a battle and I think they see the future is bright."
That afforementioned senior group made a mark on Monz and the staff in just one season under the new grid boss.
"This is my first go around with these guys, and for them to play as hard as they have and buy into everything that we're doing, what a great group of kids it is," Monz said. "They have played their butts off all year and we're trying to help those guys go to college or do whatever it is they want to do after high school.
"We appreciate their service to the school."
As for the opponent, it's another tough one despite Trinity also being outside the playoff picture.
Facing a tough opponent, though, is nothing new for Madonna this season.
"Trinity is 6-3 and another good football team on our schedule," Monz said. "As I've said before, our schedule has been really tough. I really think this is going to be another exciting game. They have a high-octane offense, they score a lot of points. They also have low numbers like we do, so I think it will be a good barometer for us.
"They have some explosive players. They beat us last year, we've watched some of that film, so I'm sure they're coming in confident and hopefully we rise up to the challenge.
"I do expect this to be an offensive shootout, I expect this to be a very exciting game."
Also on the line for the Dons is a chance to finish the season with a .500 record, which would be a big deal to Monz and company.
"Going 5-5 would be huge, it would be a big deal for us," Monz said. "Coming in with low numbers and a lot of youth and rumors about if we were even going to have a football program, if we can pull this off and go 5-5 it would be a tremendous boost into the off season."