Q&A with Matt Vitale

Inside the Huddle

As part of our preseason look into South Jersey football, we want to know a little bit more about some of the region’s players. Matt Vitale, a senior quarterback, talked over a variety of things with reporter Kevin Minnick.

KM: What are some things you bring to the table for this team?

MV: Confidence, determination and I like to have fun and win, too.

KM: Can you feel when you’re about to be sacked?

MV: I have a play clock in my head and know when I have to get rid of it. I have a sense of it but try to keep my eyes up.

KM: What’s it like when you thread the needle for a touchdown?

MV: It feels great. When we go back and watch it on film it will always look good.

KM: Why play quarterback?

MV: I love it. I like having the ball in my hands every play and being in control of the offense.

KM: Any pregame rituals?

MV: I got away from that. I always pray. That’s about it.

KM: What’s going through your head as you settle in to take the snap?

MV: I just go through my pre-snap reads. If I’m pass, I look at the coverage.

KM: Who’s your biggest fan?

MV: My parents.

KM: What’s the best thing about Paul VI?

MV: It’s a big school with great atmosphere. The fans always have our back no matter what.

KM: Cookies or ice cream?

MV: Ice cream (vanilla).

KM: If you could go anywhere for a week, where you going?

MV: Jamaica.

KM: Are you a big social media guy?

MV: I used to be as a freshman and sophomore. Now I only have it because everyone else has it. I do follow a lot of college football team pages. I’ll probably delete it when I’m done high school.

KM: What’s the one thing Coach Doherty is always talking about?

MV: He’s always talking about doing up/downs if we mess up.

KM: What’s your favorite song?

MV: New York, New York by Frank Sinatra.

KM: What do you expect from yourself this season?

MV: I expect to put my team in the best position to win football games.

KM: Future plans?

MV: I don’t want to go far away for college. I’d like to stay local and play college football at Temple. I want to major in sports marketing and management.

KM: Your nickname is “Matty Football.” Where did that come from?

MV: My freshman year (at Haddon Heights) I wore the same arm sleeve as Johnny Manziel. All the seniors gave me the nickname. It was kind of a joke, but that’s when I put it on Twitter and it took off.

KM: If I gave you two dollars, what would you do with it?

MV: I’d save it. I want more money than that.