Landon 2011 Football Preview

Head Coach: Paul Padalino 

2011 Schedule

2010 Key Wins: Georgetown Prep (11/06), Bullis (10/29) 

2010 Key Losses: St. Albans (11/13), McDonogh (10/02) 

Players Receiving Interest: Deion Wellington, DB (Offer: Bryant; Interested: Delaware, James Madison, Towson, Villanova); Johnny Sharp (Interested: Bryant, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Northern Colorado, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest) 

Strengths: Landon's strength this season lies in its speed and talent in the skill positions.  Landon's offense will be run-heavy this year with junior Myles Allen leading the team's run game after coming off an elbow injury last season.  Junior Peter Laco should also see a significant amount of carries. The two combined for nearly 300 yards and five touchdowns last year.

 Landon's offense also has a serious weapon at the receiving position this season in senior Johnny Sharp. He will be joined by Deon Wellington and Joe McDonald. Wellington has been one of Landon’s better defensive players, but he is expected to contribute more on offense this season. McDonald, who one of the area’s top basketball players, is expected to join the Bears on the football field in 2011. If McDonald ends up playing, he could be the team’s X-factor.

Landon's defense this year is led by a strong group of defensive backs in Wellington and junior Peter Laco.  The defensive backs will be looking to force the run while shutting down the pass game. 

Weaknesses: One of Landon's weaknesses this season is a lack of size and depth on the line.  Coach Padalino will be looking for younger players to fill the gap in the line after graduating key linemen such as Terrence Fullum and Max Lehrman.  Taylor Greene, Matt Hunt, Allen Speigel and Garrett Pan will be a few of the players looking for playing time up front. 

Landon's squad lacks seniors and returning varsity players this season, forcing younger players to step up in the starting varsity positions.  Most of the players will have to adjust to the completion of playing football at a varsity level. 

The starting quaterback position this season will be contested between Phil Pena (Jr.) and Kyle Hartman (Soph.). Pena is a talented lacrosse player and more of an athlete while Hartman is considered more of a traditional quarterback. 

Sophomore RB/DB Jack Faulk is also expected to contribute as a sophomore. Faulk is also a talented lacrosse player.

If Landon can compensate its lack of size with speed and toughness, they may be looking at a strong record and an IAC championship. 

The Buzz: The big question this season is whether or not Landons's football players will be able to adjust to a new coaching staff.  Head Coach Paul Padalino is in his second season after taking the reins from Rob Bordley, who is coaching the offensive line (and still leading Landon’s lacrosse program). Joining the Bears as the new offensive coordinator will be longtime Good Counsel assistant Will Flaherty. 

The Bears open up their 2011 season against Bishop McNamara High School, who went 0-10 last season. McNamara, however, will be much improved this year and will have played two games against Mount St. Joseph’s and Coolidge before the meeting with Landon.