By Joe Simon

New Castle News

There were likely some nervous players in the New Castle High locker room at halftime of Friday’s game against Moon.

The Red Hurricane trailed 24-14 to a Tigers team that is second to last in the Parkway Conference, and with playoff implications on the line, New Castle’s season was on the brink of disaster. It’s a scenario that would make the hair stand up on almost any player’s neck.

Don’t include Johnny Matarazzo in that group.

The senior has seen his share of dire circumstances over the past three years as the starting quarterback for the ’Canes.

“I’ve been in pretty much every situation, from a blowout loss to a blowout win to being behind 10 or up 7,” he said. “So that definitely helps, being in my third year now and seeing everything that could possibly happen in a football game.”

Matarazzo responded as he has so many times before — by leading New Castle to a win. Matarazzo completed 17 of 25 passes for 266 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in the ’Canes’ 41-31 comeback victory. He also rushed for 58 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Three of his five TDs came in the second half, helping New Castle (3-3, 4-4) inch closer to securing the fourth and final playoff spot in the Parkway Conference.

His performance earned him Lawrence County’s Athlete of the Week honors, an award sponsored by Washington Centre Physical Therapy and selected by the New Castle News sports staff.

Matarazzo’s effectiveness against Moon was just another great game in what has been a brilliant career. He’s shattered nearly every passing record at New Castle and has thrown a career-high 21 touchdowns this year, but there’s more to Matarazzo than just a strong arm. His game management, and the way he handles himself and those in the huddle with him, make him a true leader for the ’Canes.

“It helps keep the other kids calm when he’s nice and relaxed, and it gives the other kids confidence when he’s confident,” New Castle coach Frank Bongivengo Jr. said. “That’s one thing Johnny’s been doing really well — he’s been staying pretty even keeled, and it allows everyone else to sort of relax, too. Especially in a bad situation like (in the Moon game). You’re down 24-14 at the half. You’ve got to come out on the opening drive and get a score on the board, and we were able to do that, so his experience is a major plus for him.”

That poise is one reason Bongivengo said Matarazzo is “a kid who’s being under-recruited right now.” The physical attributes are obvious. Matarazzo, at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, is the prototypical quarterback. He has size, arm strength, smarts, pocket presence, and this year he’s added another weapon to his arsenal with his scrambling ability.

Matarazzo, whose father, John, played for the University of Pittsburgh in the 1980s, said he isn’t sure where he’ll attend college, but he does want to play football. Bongivengo thinks that’s a good idea.

“He’s a kid that I think should be getting more looks, to be perfectly honest,” he said. “He’s always focused on mechanics. He listens to what my father (quarterbacks coach Frank Bongivengo Sr.) has told him, as far as, ‘You have to change this. You need to do this a little bit better, this a little differently.’ He’s always tried to that. And you don’t find too many guys who look as good as him, physically. The kid can make any throw on the field.”

Matarazzo isn’t concerned with recruiting just yet. He’s focused on getting the ’Canes to the playoffs, not just for himself but for the rest of his teammates as well, especially the offensive line. The big men up front have been stellar all year for Matarazzo, something he doesn’t overlook. He’s also close friends with most of them.

“They’re underappreciated, but I think they’ve done a great job this year,” he said. “We’ve only had three or four sacks this whole year, so they’ve played pretty well.

“Every single one of my offensive linemen are pretty much my best friends. We’re always together on the weekends, and it may sound corny, but this is a tight team. It helps being able to trust those guys. I just feel more comfortable back there because I feel like I have more time behind them.”

*****

THE JOHNNY MATARAZZO FILE

POSITION: Quarterback

TEAM: New Castle

GRADE: 12

KNOWN FOR: Matarazzo has led Lawrence County in passing the last two years and it will be three after Friday closes out the regular season. This year, he’s connected on 127 of 202 passes (62 percent) for 1,501 yards, 21 touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s also rushed for 376 yards and two TDs.

PARENTS: John and Laura Matarazzo.

FAVORITE PLAYER AND WHY: Zach Collarros, University of Cincinnati quarterback. “Cincinnati runs a similar offense as us, and he’s underrated. He kind of reminds me of myself. He’s a good thrower, but he’ll also tuck it and run if he has to.”

FAVORITE TEAM AND WHY: Oklahoma Sooners. “Mark Mangino, he’s a close family friend, he was the offensive coordinator there for about five years. That’s really when I started watching football.”

FUTURE PLANS: Matarazzo said he will attend college, and he wants to play football, but he didn’t give any hints as to where he might play.