Menaul Panther Football Player Signs Letter of Intent for Colorado State University - Pueblo

Monday morning, 16 April 2012, Menaul School senior, Dennis Smatana formally signed his National Letter of Intent to play football at Colorado State University – Pueblo, an NCAA Division II School in Pueblo, Colorado.

Dennis has attended Menaul School since the 6th grade and has played varsity football since his freshman year.  Last fall Dennis was selected 1st Team All District, 1st Team All State and played on the North All Star Team (A – 8-Man).

A brief signing ceremony was held during Menaul School’s daily chapel which began at 9:40 a.m. in Donaldson Hall on the Menaul School campus.   Dennis’ parents, Gina and John Smatana, Menaul School Head Football Coach, Jeff Strohecker, Menaul School Athletic Director Josh Sears and President/Head of School Lindsey Gilbert joined Dennis as he signed his National Letter of Intent.

CSU-Pueblo is coming off its best season in school history, finishing the regular season with a perfect 11-0 record and the program's first outright Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship in school history.  It ended the regular season as the top-ranked team in the nation and earned the country's number-one seed in the NCAA Division II Playoffs.

Panthers Football 2011 Season Wrap-up

The Menaul Panther Football team had holes to fill after losing eight Seniors from last year’s team. Five of those Seniors were starters on both sides of the ball. With those holes came opportunities for less experienced players to step up and they did.

With the size and depth gone up front and in the backfield, the offense turned to Junior QB Andy Zampini to lead the pass heavy offense. Returning starter Brandyn Monahan (Jr. Center) anchored the line while Dennis Smatana (Sr. Tight End) and Matt Feddersen (Jr. Wide Receiver) led the skill positions. These four players were key in any success the offense had. New Starters to the offense were Junior Andy Zampini (QB), Sophomore Nick Lorenzo (Guard), Sophomore Dylan Lucero (Guard), Junior James Aaron (Wide Receiver), and Junior Zhenya Diadyura (Running Back).

Throughout the season the offense was up and down. Both the running game and passing attack struggled with adjusting to the offense. Numerous injuries led to players moving from one position to another weekly. With a new offense, injuries, and illnesses the offense could not keep any lineup consistently causing offensive production to drop.

Menaul’s defense also struggled with the loss of numerous starters. However the defense struggled more with the lack of consistent play by each position group at different times. Returning defensive starters were Junior Andy Zampini (Defensive back), Senior Dennis Smatana (Defensive End), Junior Brandyn Monahan (Defensive End), and Junior John Hood (Linebacker). New starters to the defense were Junior James Aaron (Defensive Back), Junior Matt Feddersen (Defensive Back), Junior Greg Bode (Linebacker), Sophomores Nick Lorenzo and Dylan Lucero (Nose Tackle).

Inconsistent play and injuries gave starting opportunities to two underclassmen Sophomore David Levy (Defensive back) and Freshman Nick Cook (Defensive Back). Both David Levy and Nick Cook took the place of starters and played very well. With different starters throughout the year the defense struggled against the run at times and then against the pass at times.

One constant throughout the season was the kick return team.  Opposing teams quickly learned not to kick to us because of the play of Nick Cook who returned two kick offs for touchdowns and had numerous big returns throughout the season.

As the season ended it was clear that as the off-season approaches new offenses, defenses, and special teams, and strength and conditioning strategies were going to be used to help the team become even more of a competitor than it was this year. Menaul Football’s 2011 season record was 2-8, a record that the 2012 team would like to turn around. The 2012 season will begin at home against Carrizozo High School August 31, 2012 at 7:00pm.

All-District and All-State ballots are still being turned in. Menaul post-season awards went to Dennis Smatana (Most Valuable Athlete) and Nick Cook (Most improved).

-Coach, Jeff Strohecker
 

Football Update

The Upper School football team finished the season with a record of 4 wins and 6 losses. We were District runner up for District 1-8man. For the second time in five years we were able to make the state playoff under Head Coach Jeff Strohecker. Unfortunately were lost to Gateway Christian in the first round. We look forward to a great season next year.

The middle school football team was able to complete an undefeated season with a win in the super bowl this past weekend. They finished the season with 10 wins and no losses. We look forward to next season and hope to continue to grow our middle school football program.

Sports Update

This past weekend was big for Menaul Sports. The Middle School Football team brought home the State Championship! Last year they came close, making it to the final, but this year they really stepped it up, winning the championship! Hopefully this marks just the first in a series of titles for Menaul!

Menaul’s Upper School had a strong football team this year, as well. Just last night, a few of our players were honored, and received All Metro Awards. Both Jordyn Monahan and Dennis Smatana received honorable Mentions, and Sam Rhodes was an Academic and Senior Athlete nominee.

Next up for Menaul sports is the Bugg Light Invite Basketball Tournament, which kicks off Thursday; the boys and girls draws have eight teams each. Thursday, the whole school will be out to support Menaul’s teams in their games at noon and 1:30 p.m. Hopefully both the boys and girls teams can win this year’s invite!

Homecoming Football Game - placeholder

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