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September 12, 2009

FHH's Mencotti tackles big test

Undersized lineman anchors defense

By MICK MCCABE

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

One only can imagine what opposing centers think when they line up across from Farmington Hills Harrison noseguard Dominic Mencotti.

From watching Harrison on film, they surely know Mencotti is small, but he certainly doesn't appear to be the 5-foot-9, 175-pounder listed in the program.

That would be because he isn't.

"I'm 5-7, 160," Mencotti said.

Opposing centers must look at him and figure it is a bye week for them.

"They try to judge me by my size, but it doesn't mean anything to me," said Mencotti. "If anything, it's better for me. They underestimate me all the time, and look what it does."

It does them no good as Harrison proved again Friday with a crucial 34-12 victory over Southfield for the Hawks' third straight victory.

Southfield (2-1) entered the game with a running attack that had been lethal in its first two games.

But the Bluejays had little success against Harrison's defense, and right in the middle of it was Mencotti, who was up against a much bigger opponent, but what else is new?

"Actually he was 250, maybe," Mencotti said. "He was a big dude."

So how does a guy 90 pounds lighter go up against someone so much bigger and live to tell about it?

"I try to be relentless," Mencotti said. "I keep driving, put moves on -- spins, whips -- whatever I need to do to get by him. Quickness is my game."

It better be, because Mencotti isn't going to overpower anyone.

Southfield had a few breakaway plays, like the dazzling 56-yard run by quarterback Brandon Watkins.

But Harrison's defense didn't have to be perfect, because Harrison quarterback Vince Salatino completed 8-for-18 for 120 yards and two touchdowns, and Aaron Burbridge had four receptions for 77 yards and a score.

Harrison mixed the run with the pass to keep Southfield off-balance.

Perhaps Mencotti's biggest contribution was that the offensive line never knocked him off the ball.

"I was never blown back to the linebackers, and that's pretty key," he said.

"I try to stay low, take the double-team down or push through it."

Seriously, how is this little guy going to push through two blockers? Or for that matter, how is he going to take down two blockers?

"I'll do a bar-stool sit and take them down," he said.

A bar-stool sit? Is that something the coaches picked up at Mr. Joe's?

"No," he said, laughing. "It's where I grab the blocker on the double-team, take my knee back and take them both down with me and create a pile."

Mencotti can stick with that explanation if he wants, but the Mr. Joe's thing sounds more believable.

Contact MICK McCABE: 313-223-4744 or mmccabe@freepress.com.