This week we’ve got a special edition of “Ask the Coach.”  In addition to our regular interview with Tyrone Head Coach Jason Wilson, the Eagle Eye was able to interview with Mount Union Head Coach Matt Young before this Saturday’s District VI AA Championship game at Mansion Park.

Special thanks to Coach Young for making himself available to the Eagle Eye.

EE: This week’s District VI Championship is unusual not only because it features two first year coaches, but both of you at 28 are exactly the same age.  Did you realize that?

Coach Young: Yeah I think [Coach Wilson] and I actually played against each other in high school when I played at Huntington and he was at Tyrone.

EE: Whats it like to lead the Mount Union Trojans to their first District 6 Title game in 20 years?

Young: Its exciting, every one is excited here.  I know for a place like Tyrone [getting to the district title game] is more of an every year kind of thing, but for us we’re pretty excited.  Its a good feeling to have accomplished that.

EE: What has been the preparation of your team going into the daunting task of this of their first District title game for everyone involved?

Young: We’re going a different direction than other teams, we’re just trying to treat it like a normal game and just have fun.  Hopefully the football part goes the way that it has so far.

EE: Are you a little worried about playing on turf for the first time this year at Mansion Park?

Young: Yeah it is something different but we’ve practiced on it, and my guys have all played on it before so it shouldn’t be a big factor.

EE: How well do you think your fans will travel to Mansion?

Young: They’ve traveled right along with us this whole year and they’re super excited about this, but the game being on television hurts it a bit. We are a bit smaller than Tyrone but I think [our fans] will definitely be there Saturday.

EE: No one was necessarily surprised you beat Central, but many were surprised by the how you dominated on both sides of the ball.  61-13 says a lot.  How did your team manage to pull that off?

Young: I don’t think were 50 points better than Central, it was just kind of the flow of the game and the momentum to create some turnovers and big plays. I see the score and sometimes I  think that that isn’t the best indication of how a game went, we didn’t expect such a big number win but that’s how football goes sometimes, you get some good momentum and get going.

EE: Any players in particular that have made a huge impact for your team this season, both on and off the field?

Young: Just a few in particular, senior linebacker/guard Austin Low. He works very hard and has the right amount of energy that the others seem to rally behind. Brody Suter as well, just two good kids who lead by example for sure.

EE: The only criticism of your team’s undefeated season is your strength of schedule. Some critics have said that the caliber of teams you have played are lesser than some of the others in the district. How do you respond to that?

Young: We think we play in a pretty tough conference. Bellwood is a premier program that we play year in year out. It’s an apples to oranges comparison when you talk conference strength, people believe what they want. We feel as though our conference has fully prepared us for the playoffs and I think we have shown that in the first two games of the playoffs.

EE: Thanks for your time coach, we’re all looking forward to Saturday evening.

Young: Thanks for the call, see you guys on Saturday!