The San Francisco 49ers Charlie Wedemeyer Memorial Coach of the Week award presented by the 49ers Foundation for Week 2 goes to Matt Haniger from Archbishop Mitty.
Last Friday the Mitty Monarchs defeated the defending California state champions Palo Alto 27-21
With their previous game having been delayed like many other games across the Bay Area, due to a freak lighting storm, the Monarchs found themselves with a very short week leading up to one of the biggest games on their schedule. They were forced to play the continuation of a very close game with highly regarded San Ramon Valley high school on Monday. This left Tuesday for film study, Wednesday for full padded practice, Thursday for walk through and then playing Friday night. Even with this compressed week, the Monarchs had plenty of time to prepare for this matchup. See, their 2010 season was ended by Palo Alto in the conference playoffs and they have been looking for payback ever since.
"This was the most focused I've ever seen a team for a game with either 5 days or 1 day to prepare," explained Coach Haniger.
Early in the game it appeared that it was going to be a battle of defenses, with both teams trading punt after punt initially, but once the Monarch's offense got going it exploded for 21 first half points. They went in at the half with a 14 lead and focused on continuing to control the ball, but Palo Alto answered back coming out of the break with 14 points of their own to knot the game at 21 all. Finally with about 10 minutes left in the game, senior running back Cail McClenahen hauled in a pass from quarterback Andrew Barna and took it 72 yards for a touchdown to put the Monarchs up for good. The defense closed the game off with 4 solid stands to hold off Palo Alto the rest of the way.
"Our front 8 controlled the line of scrimmage," said Haniger, "I'm not sure we that we gave up a first down in the 4th quarter."
Leading the defensive effort was senior free safety, Bobby Marani who finished the game with 12 total tackles and a huge hit on a screen play in the 4th quarter that helped swing the momentum Mitty's way.
Linebacker Joe Dececco also had 10 tackles on the night, and defensive end Dion Windom kept constant pressure on Palo Alto's high powered passing attack.
For Mitty's great win and an outstanding team effort, the San Francisco 49ers have selected Coach Matt Haniger as the Charlie Wedemeyer Memorial High School of the Week.
In addition to being named Coach of the Week, Coach Haniger and the Archbishop Mitty football program will receive $1,000 from the 49ers Foundation. Coach Haniger will also be featured in a KRON 4 interview with Gary Radnich receive two tickets to a 49ers home game where he will be recognized on the field before the game, as well as in an article on 49ers.com. In the weeks leading up to that game Haniger will be invited to visit the 49ers training facility in Santa Clara to watch a private practice and receive a certificate from 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh.
