Coaches Corner: An Interview with Madden

The HHH High School West Colts will battle the Deer Park Falcons this Saturday afternoon at 1:30 on the Hills West turf. Deer Park enters the contest at 2-5, which puts them in ninth place in the conference. With the playoffs looming I asked Coach Madden if he would sit any starters on Saturday.

“It’s not the NFL, this is high school football and you know, kids are only guaranteed 8 games, so we go all out every single game and the goal is to improve.” Hills West is currently 5-2 which is good enough for fourth in the conference. I asked Madden if he was satisfied with the season so far and he said he thought his team has learned “how to trust each other” and “is learning how to overcome challenges by playing as team.” I also asked the coach if he was pleased with the way his Sophomore starting quarterback Gerald Filardi has improved throughout the season and he said, “as a sophomore coming into a number one seeded football program is very hard to begin with and he’s done a great job.” He added that he’s a “hard worker” and a “great teammate.” clhyyswi

Expect Filardi and Deyvon Wright to continue to pace the offense this week as the two have combined for 22 touchdowns through the first 7 games. Hills West comes in hot winning four of their last five. Despite being 2-5 Deer Park has won two of their last three games.

Injury Report:

-West’s Star wide receiver Cam Jordan is dealing with a shoulder injury but WILL play Saturday with a special pad on his shoulder despite sitting out last weeks game against Riverhead. Coach Madden said “He probably could have played if it was a playoff game”.