Dowling embraces AHS football challenge

BY: Kyle Moylan Sports Editor
    On September 9, 2005, Chris Kubik scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak and Justin Darlea added the extra point as the Allentown High School football team defeated Hopewell Valley, 7-6.
    Luck even seemed to be on Allentown’s side in the game as Hopewell missed an extra point, a field goal and even dropped a pass in the end zone.
    Allentown walked off the field that night a happy and confident team.
    Since that game, Allentown has lost 29 straight times.
    That’s Allentown history. But according to new coach Pat Dowling, please stress the fact that it’s “history.”
    “That 29-game losing streak isn’t this team’s,” Dowling said. “They can’t put that streak on this team.”
    Of course, Dowling knows his new job isn’t an easy one. But he’s someone with patience and a big heart.
    Dowling comes to Allentown from Monroe. He was a special education teacher at Monroe and will continue in the same role at Allentown. He also was the head football coach at Monroe.
    “I wanted to go somewhere that I would have more opportunities, the chance to grow as a professional,” Dowling said. “Allentown offered that.”
    And Dowling also saw the chance to help rebuild the Allentown football program as a great opportunity.
    “I have been part of rebuilding programs my whole career,” Dowling said. “I have something to go back on.”
    Dowling already experience going to a team that was in a similar situation as Allentown when he became the head coach of Woodbridge High, located in Bergen County.
    “They went three years without a win,” Dowling noted. “We won two games the first year and five our second.”
    So how exactly does a team do that?
    “You have to start from the ground up,” Dowling said.
    That covers proper techniques and workout habits. A little brainwashing doesn’t hurt either.
    “We have to make expectations,” Dowling said. “We talk about playoffs and put those dates on the schedule. Positive thoughts have to be in their heads.”
    And right now Dowling has his team thinking about winning at Robbinsville in the season opener on September 13. Robbinsville has won the only two previous meetings the two teams have ever played, including the first victory in the history of its program. Allentown would love to make Robbinsville the first victim in what it hopes is the rebirth of its program.
    Allentown had a scrimmage against Westwood on August 26. Dowling was impressed with the effort, but not ready to guarantee any jobs yet.
    “Football is a privilege,” Dowling said.
    Dowling was planning to give out jerseys this week and then start to lock in positions.
    Three players that have caught his attention early on are Anthony Morolda, Chris Fataigo and Brian MacNiven.
    Morolda, a senior, is a defensive end and fullback. “He’s a quiet kid, but he’s got a motor,” Dowling said. “He plays hard every down.”
    Fataigo, a junior, plays at fullback and inside linebacker. “He’s intense and has a lot of heart,” Dowling said. “He’s a leader.”
    MacNiven, is a senior that plays at tailback and outside linebacker. “He’s a talented kid,” Dowling said. “I don’t think he even realizes how talented he is.”
    Actually, Dowling is kind of hoping all of the Allentown players realize how talented they are and make “the streak” a quickly forgotten part of the team’s history.