Lwt. Football begins run at an ELFL repeat

Ready to begin what hopes to be another winning season, the Penn lightweight football team is ready for action. Coming off a championship season last year, the Quakers hope to continue their run this year in the same fashion. The Quakers' season opener is tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. at Cornell. Last year, the Quakers played two outstanding games against the Big Red, defeating them both times, with one game venturing into double overtime, as Penn won by three points. "Both teams are evenly matched for this week's game," Quakers senior co-captain Jordan Matusow said. "We have the potential to be a great team and win every game we play, however there are a lot of questions in our minds going into Friday's game." The Penn team features a variety of new faces, as well as old players filling new positions on the field. Coming off of last season, the team has needed to do some re-arranging on the field in order to make up for a seven-player loss this offseason. "The game against Cornell will primarily be played on the line of scrimmage," said Penn senior co-captain Marc Menkowitz. "The team that ultimately dominates the playing field will come out ahead." This year's Quakers team is now being coached by retired lightweight football player Clinton Schmidt, a new assistant to head coach Bill Wagner. Schmidt played for the Red and Blue last season and earned MVP honors in the the All-Eastern Lightweight Football League. Schmidt was only the second player in Penn's history to earn his MVP title for lightweight football. Coaching the receivers and backs for the Quakers, Schmidt has helped maintain the high level of intensity reached by the team at the culmination of last season. "Schmidty is one of the hardest working players that I have ever known," Penn co-captain Marc Menkowitz said. "He has taught the team a lot and has helped us gain the knowledge and fire needed to win on Friday. "Clint is the epitome of lightweight football here. He has a true love of the game that serves as an inspiration to us all." The team that plays with the most heart and intensity tonight will be the winning team, according to coaches and players. "We're going to play a lot of guys in the game this week," said Wagner. "It is our hope that the younger players can step it up, while the veterans can ignite good leadership through their actions. In my opinion, we are going there to win, and it will definitely be a close, tough game."