The Lounge: Featuring Dawson Montfort
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Watching Dawson Montfort take a hand-off should give Harrisburg football fans a flashback. Montfort would be the first to admit he is not the fastest player with the ball in his hands, but what he lacks in foot speed he makes up with power. For younger Bulldogs fans, Montfort's game is kin to something out of Madden 10.
Read more about it in this week's installment of The Lounge.
Luis C. Medina: What does Homecoming mean to you?
Dawson Montfort: It's a time of knowing Harrisburg tradition. Doing things as a team and having fun.
LM: Homecoming is one of your last two home games you have this season. What will it take to leave those games with victories?
DM: The last couple of weeks have been disappointing for us. We know we're a good team, but it doesn't count unless you win. We've got to step it up on defense and execute when it comes to the second half.
LM: This is your senior year, what has been your biggest challenge so far?
DM: Trying to do the right thing. I think I've done a good job of doing that. But I need to stay on the right path and do the right thing.
LM: Are you afraid of senioritis?
DM: Not really. I just have to work hard and do my thing. I don't think much about that kind of superstition and stuff.
LM: Oh, well then you'll be fine.
LM: What's your preferred game night meal?
DM: Hot wings. Hot wings from KFC; it's my thing.
LM: Gatorade or Powerade?
DM: Gatorade. No doubt.
LM: Why?
DM: It's got better taste.
LM: Take us through your pre-game routine.
DM: I go home and watch football videos on You Tube trying to get pumped up. I might take a nap if we have a little bit of time. Then I'll jam out to some music on the way to the field. When I get into the locker room I kind of mellow out, don't talk much and try to get into the zone.
LM: What's the last song you played or listened to?
DM: "Born to be Wild."
LM: Wow, that's a classic. What's your favorite song?
DM: "Your Love" by The Outfield
LM: Really? Is there a reason?
DM: It's my walk out song in baseball.
LM: OK. Now that's been a revolution in baseball. Gordon Beckham (of the Chicago White Sox) is among several major league players that use that song. When was the first time you heard that song?
DM: I was at a (Southern Illinois) Miners game and Joey Metropoulos was up to bat.
LM: Do you have a favorite movie?
DM: "Big" with Tom Hanks.
LM: College football and pro football are underway. Are you paying attention?
DM: Yeah. I'm a huge Florida Gators fan. I love (quarterback) Tim Tebow.
LM: Can Florida repeat as national champions?
DM: Oh yeah.
LM: With your style of running, you bowl a lot of people over. Is it like Madden when you use the truck stick? Is that what it's like in real life?
DM: My teammates joke with me about that every time I do it. They'll say "truck stick engaged" or something like that. I guess you can put it that way.
LM: You've carried guys into the end zone on a couple of your touchdowns. What's that feel like?
DM: It feels good. I'm not the fastest, I've got decent speed. But running through people is my strength.
LM: Why the number 45?
DM: Four plus five equals nine. And nine is my favorite number.
LM: What's the perfect ending for your senior year?
DM: The perfect ending for my senior year? State championship for football and baseball.
LM: This is your forum to say whatever you want to whoever you want. Say what's on your mind. What do you have to say?
DM: Don't count the Bulldogs out. Don't count us out yet.