On Genoa’s football team, there is a supporting cast of players – not just “blue chippers” – who have the sand to show up every Friday night, strap up their chinstraps, and smack the opposition upside the head with their dinged-up lunchboxes in relative anonymity.

Which is exactly what a group of four core senior gridders – each of them newly-ordained All-Suburban Lakes League honorees in recent weeks – and “unsung heroes” in offensive lineman Matt Keaton (first-team all-SLL), defensive lineman Casey Wojciechowski (first-team all-SLL), wide receiver/free safety Garrett Scott (first-team all-SLL defensive back), and outside linebacker/specialist Matt Murphy (honorable-mention all-SLL linebacker) have brought to the formula.

“I don’t even try to be the hero,” concurs 5-10, 225 pound senior starting left tackle Matt Keaton.

Matt is the son of former Comet player and coach Ron Keaton. Matt is one of the “elder statesmen” on that Genoa offensive line alongside fellow seniors Andrew Hayes and Luke Sutter.

“I’m really the type of guy who just goes out there, and plays for my team. I just do my job, and whatever else I can out there, to help this team succeed, and that’s, I think, what makes this team so special. Everyone on this team loves each other. Everyone on this team trusts one another. And everyone on this team plays as one, single heartbeat, and not like 11 individuals,” Matt said.

“My role on this team is to block anybody who gets in front of me, so I can help Kyle Nutter score,” continues Keaton. “And that’s what keeps me going, really. I know that everyone out there is counting on the entire offensive line to get the job done, so I just keep on driving and driving, and I never give up. And I attribute the success that I’ve had so far to our coaches, who are always pushing me to keep getting better and better every week, and to Andrew Hayes, who has helped me so much, because he’s the best player I know.

“And that’s the kind of legacy I’d like to leave with the younger guys,” he reflects, “I’d like to say to them, ‘This is what we are. This is who they are. This is how we do things. We’re the Genoa Comets.’”

On the defensive line of Coach Tim Spiess’ that at times includes such names as Hayes and Sutter, fellow seniors Justin Upham, Chris Cuevas, and David Cremean, and juniors Devin Sibby,  Jacob Sheehey, and Ricky Bierbaum…which has combined for a tenacious 185 tackles, and 19 sacks, to become the very teeth of the Comets’ “pit bull” defense again, there is another.

The 5-10, 200 pound defensive tackle Casey Wojciechowski pretty much feels the same, though of course from a slightly different point-of-view.

“I wouldn’t necessarily call myself an ‘unsung” player,’ interjects Wojciechowski, who has 34 tackles through 12 games, five assists, one sack, and three huge fumble recoveries (he leads the team in the latter category). None bigger than the one he scooped up and took back 49 yards for a touchdown against Otsego in the Comets’ last regular season home game of the year.

“I just go out there onto that field, and I do my job, and I try to make plays, but really what people don’t see is that guy on the bottom of the pile, who is helping to set the table for the linebackers, to make their plays. So, no…I don’t get my name called over the P.A. system a lot, but at least I know I did my job, and that I keep getting right back up, and doing it again. It doesn’t really bother me at all, because it’s really not about me. It’s about the team, and the coaches, and everyone else that is involved, because everyone has their own roles to play.

“I would say that my role is to be a leader out there on the field, off of it, and by setting a good example, and helping the younger guys out in becoming better players and better teammates,” offers “Wojo.” “But everyone’s job is just as important as the next guy’s, and that even means the kids that are out there playing on the scout team, too. Because if you’re out there, and you’re holding a bag, then hold that bag, and help make your teammates better! You know, we may not like it at the time, but we do go out, and we practice for hours, and in the end, it all will pay off. It’s just like the offensive linemen, who block for our running backs, but don’t get much attention from the media. But, could you imagine a running back without blockers?”

Then there is senior pass catcher Garrett Scott…who pulled down one of the prettiest catches and TDs for the Comets this year on a nice “jump ball” put up by quarterback Josh Bryer.

“That’s awesome, I like the way that sounds, ‘unsung hero,’ chimes in Scott, who at 6-2, 180 has been perhaps one of the biggest surprises.

He continues to write to the tune of 22 receptions, for 268 yards, and two scores – and a 12.2 yards per catch – all of which have sneaked him onto the Press receiving leader board and cemented him at second on the team just behind Derek Allgier, who is averaging 16 yards per catch.

“To us out there in the huddle, or during practices, and even when we’re off the football field, we’re all the names you see in the paper, because we all play for each other, and that’s why I think this team is so special,” Scott said.

“I would have to say that out of all the good things I’ve been able to get done out there this year, unselfishly all of the credit would have to go to our defensive backs’ coach, Coach Buckley, and our senior (safety) from last year, Scott Traver, who have both done a lot for me,” adds G.S.

At starting free safety, Scott has 28 tackles, one fumble recovery, and three picks. His most bountiful performance came in week eight against Lake, during which he intercepted the Flyers’ first two passes from scrimmage.

Finally, Matt Murphy…an outside linebacker and lethal return man, who has cleaned up with 38 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, and three interceptions. He helped to put backyard rival Woodmore away in week four with a pick-six. He’s also returned eight kicks, for 295 yards – which leads the team – and an average of 37 yards per effort, with one touchdown, on an 84-yard bring-back.

“Being an ‘unsung hero’ doesn’t bother me at all,” allows the 5-8, 145 Murphy.

“Because for us, it’s all about playing together as a team, and having one heartbeat, which is the way it’s supposed to be. And while stars will shine…it’s overall the whole team that either wins or loses a game.”

“I would say my role is to step up, and to get whatever needs to be done, done,” adds the Comets’ fourth-leading tackler, behind linebacker Tyler Pickard (51), Dufendock (48), and Hayes (40) respectively.

Murphy continues, “Whether it means helping out in pass coverage, or stepping up to stop the run, to be a part of this team means a lot because of what we’ve accomplished, and because of the fact that I love all the coaches and players. We share a special bond. And that’s what keeps me going, I don’t want to let the family down.”

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