On-the-job training
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. — The 2009 season began as an unknown for Matt Plautz.
It turned out to be a valuable learning experience.
Plautz, a Seneca Valley High graduate and native of Harmony, recently finished his freshman season as a wide receiver on the Monmouth University football team.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Plautz was unsure of what the 2009 campaign would bring after not playing in the team's first four games.
But he saw the Hawks' 27-24 home loss to Wagner Oct. 10 and caught one pass for 17 yards.
Plautz made a total six catches for 63 yards in the following games before suffering a mild concussion Nov. 14 against Central Connecticut.
The Hawks, members of the Northeast Conference in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision, formerly I-AA, finished the season at 5-6 overall.
"I'm not disappointed I wasn't redshirted," said Plautz, who now has three years of eligibility. "This was only the third year I've played wide receiver, so taking a year off would probably have been bad. The more work I put in, the easier it will be for me to get better."
Plautz, who graduated from Seneca Valley with school records for receptions in a season (60) and a career (111), receiving yards in a season (1,017) and a career (1,677), and career touchdown catches (13), already is looking forward to 2010.
"We run a prostyle offense, but this year we ran the ball 65 to 70 percent of the time," said Plautz. "Our top running back, David Sinisi, was on the Walter Payton Award Watch List and ended up as one of the top three backs in the country (with 1,437 yards and 13 touchdowns).
"Sinisi graduates in the spring," Plautz added. "Hopefully, we'll open it up more on offense next season."
The Hawks rotated two players in at quarterback to begin the 2009 season: redshirt junior Andrew Mandeville and redshirt freshman Kyle Frazier.
"(Mandeville) got hurt in the Old Dominion game (a 31-28 win Sept. 26)," said Plautz. "After that, Kyle took over full time, and I think he has better control of the offense. The chemistry is definitely there between Kyle and the receivers."
Frazier ended up passing for 1,453 yards and 10 scores.
Monmouth's top two wideouts, Ron Lauch and Rodney Salomon, combined for 58 catches worth 707 yards and three touchdowns, but both will be graduating.
"There are four different receiver spots and the coaches have told me that if I work hard to get better, I could be No. 1 the next three years.
"Right now, we're just doing a lot of conditioning," he added. "When we get back from the break, the coaches will be kicking our butts, so I've been running on my own. I'd like to get up to 230 pounds by next season,. We'll see how it goes."
Plautz has not declared a major.
Monmouth's conference opponents include nearby universities Duquesne, Robert Morris and St. Francis (Pa.).
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