Hard hitting linebacker plays fast on the gridiron

Eastlake's John Monahan is undersized but it doesn't stop him from thriving on the football field

By Shaun Scott • November 3, 2015 9:16 pm
Eastlake Wolves senior John Monahan said playing fast is the key to delivering hard hits on the gridiron.
Eastlake Wolves senior John Monahan said playing fast is the key to delivering hard hits on the gridiron.

Eastlake Wolves senior inside linebacker John Monahan may not be the biggest player on the field, but he packs a powerful punch.

Monahan, in his second season as the Wolves starting inside linebacker, weighs just 165 pounds, but it doesn’t stop him from unleashing bone rattling hits on opposing team’s offensive players. Monahan said size isn’t a prerequisite in order to be a proficient player on defense.

“Speed kills man. I feel like a lot of guys on our team are undersized. Most of us are only 5 feet, 9 or 5 feet, 10 and only weigh about 170 but we are running around making hits and are stopping teams,” Monahan said. “Our speed of play in practice leads to big hits. We just run through people.”

The Wolves put together an overall record of 5-4 during the 2015 regular season. Monahan said Eastlake head coach Don Bartel has cultivated a culture of camaraderie that permeates throughout the football program.

“Bartel is a leadership teacher at Eastlake. He really emphasizes family. We have a great senior class who brings our entire team together and really includes the young guys,” he said.

Recently the Issaquah/Sammamish Reporter had an opportunity to ask Monahan a few questions about his life away from the football field.

Issaquah Reporter: What is your favorite movie of all time?

John Monahan: Interstellar. I love Matthew McConaughey. He is one of my favorite actors.

 

IR: What is your biggest pet peeve?

JM: Two-faced people.

 

IR: How many text messages do you send per day?

JM: I probably send like 20. I’m calling people all the time.

 

IR: What is something unique about you that nobody would know?

JM: I like to do yoga. They have an elective class at Eastlake called walking and yoga. My teacher Mrs. Agnew really got me hooked on it.

 

IR: Who is your pick to win the Super Bowl in February of 2016?

JM: The New England Patriots. They are looking too good right now.

 

IR: What is your favorite eatery in Sammamish?

JM: I got to say I like to go to Jack in The Box. They got breakfast all day. I like the burgers and curly fries. It is pretty filling.

 

Shaun Scott: 425-453-5045; sscott@issaquahreporter.com