BY JOBY FAWCETT
Times-Shamrock Writer

Montrose might be the youngest team in the Lackawanna Football Conference in terms of varsity of experience.

Just two starters return on offense and both are part of the line. Both also have good size. JJ Heft could emerge as one of the top two-way linemen in Division III. He is a 6-foot-2, 280-pound center who has displayed good feet as a part of the Elk Lake basketball team. (Elk Lake co-sponsors football with Montrose).

Devin Nash is back at one tackle. Zack Summers is a 250-pound sophomore and Seth Bulkley, another sophomore, could have an impact up front.

Joe Igo takes over at quarterback in coach Lou Cella’s triple-option offense. He is a tall player at 6-foot-4 and has good speed.

“Compared to last year, things are going a lot better,” Igo said. “Things are going more smoothly and we are getting more yards on every play because we execute much better. Now that I have a year in the triple-option offense, I am more confident and the reads come more natural.

“I am much more confident in our team this year. We played 10 times better in our scrimmage than last year.”

Zoey Casselbury and Will Purdy saw time last season and the Meteors will get a boost from speedster Derek Nunez, who transferred to Elk Lake from Coughlin.

Colin Mondi is a District 2 medal winner in track and field and will lead the receiving corps that includes sophomore Bryden Jerauld and Connor Kojola.

While the offense certainly will receive a shot in the arm with the arrival of Nunez, the defense will really improve. Nunez is an emotional, physical player with instincts and speed at linebacker. Last season, the 6-0, 195-pounder had 111 tackles and 10 sacks for the Crusaders, who reached the Eastern Conference Class AAA playoffs.

Joining Nunez at linebacker will be Mondi, who is a returning starter, Purdy, Bulkley and Jerauld.

Along the line, Heft should be a force and Summers is a returning starter from a unit that gave up 172.5 yards rushing, which isn’t overwhelming considering the team’s 1-9 record. Nash is also expected to contribute.

In the secondary, Igo is an athletic corner who started last season. Casselbury and Kojola both saw some time last season.

“We have to just make sure that everyone does their job this season and play with speed and accuracy,” Igo said.