POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – In his 28 years as head coach as head coach of the Marist football team, Jim Parady, has often spoke of the need for all three phases of the Red Foxes – offense, defense, and special teams – to contribute to winning football.
 
In last Saturday's 26-23 triumph over Pioneer Football League foe, the Red Foxes' special teams made their voice heard – early and loudly.
 
After Stetson went three-and-out on its opening series, red-shirt junior John Pierce blocked a punt, which rolled out of the end zone for a safety just 29 seconds into the contest.
 
The Red Foxes then took the ensuing free kick into Stetson territory, as they reached the Hatters' 31. The drive culminated in a 49-yard field goal by red-shirt freshman kicker Luke Paladino. The boot tied the program record for longest field goal, which was originally set by current Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers.
 
The five points in the game's first two minutes not only gave the Red Foxes a good source of momentum, but proved to be vital to the team's three-point victory.
 
"Week in and week out, we're looking to give our offense and defense the best field position they can have," special teams coordinator Cameron Gibson said. "Last week, (those plays) jump started the game for us. They're momentum-changers. If we can do that week in and week out, hopefully that leads to Ws."
 
Gibson had been on staff the previous two seasons after a stellar playing career for the Red Foxes from 2013-16. He was elevated to special teams coordinator this spring, and also coaches the team's safeties. The attitude he has brought to the unit has been infectious.
 
"It's been a big impact," Parady said. "What Coach Gibson has done is infuse a lot of energy into this group of guys and take special teams to a new level. With that, you've seen guys who've hesitated to get onto special teams really craving to get on them. That's a direct reflection of Coach Gibson and the attitude he brings to it."
 
For the first time this season, Marist elected a special teams captain. Gibson chose to bestow the honor on red-shirt junior linebacker Matt Thomson.
 
"Matt has been a constant contributor on special teams," Gibson said. "He's really the guy who breaks it down, brings the energy, and gets the guys up every single day and excited about special teams. "I felt it was only right to have a special teams captain, somebody to lead the unit, but have Matt Thomson do it to get those guys excited day in and day out."
 
The Red Foxes' special teams have been a blend of experienced players making an impact, as well as some key newcomers:
 

Veterans

• After missing the opener due to injury, red-shirt junior Mateo Zapata has three touchbacks in four kickoffs against Stetson.
• Junior Mekhai Johnson is averaging 26.3 yards per kickoff return.
• Red-shirt junior Ethan Carpenter had a 19-yard punt return at Georgetown.
• Red-shirt sophomore Joe Giordano has been a reliable long snapper for the past two seasons.
• Starters such as Johnson, Carpenter, Thomson, red-shirt senior wide receiver Anthony Olivencia, red-shirt junior Grant Dixon, and red-shirt senior Andrew McElroy have played prominent roles on special teams.

 

Newcomers

• Paladino is 2-for-2 on field goals and 3-for-3 on PATs after red-shirting his freshman season in 2018.
• True freshman Dominic Donohue is the Red Foxes' primary punter, and has forced seven fair catches in 14 punts while dropping three inside the 20.
• After Giordano was injured against Stetson, true freshman Justin Iaccio delivered accurate long snaps in the second half of a close game.

 
Marist (1-1) is back in action on Saturday against Cornell (0-0). Kickoff at Tenney Stadium is set for noon on Homecoming & Reunion Weekend. Tickets are available at MaristTickets.com.

For more on Marist's special teams, please click on the attached video.