RAY SWANSON | Keystoner Westminster kicker is home grown

Jason Montgomery could walk to work if he so desired.
A 5-10, 150-pound freshman, Montgomery is the kicking specialist for Coach Jerry Schmitt and his Westminster College football Titans.
The young kicker hails from Wilmington Area High School and the home of the Titans is New Wilmington. Schmitt didn't have to travel far to secure the services of this young and adept kicking standout.
Point producer
With three games remaining on the Titans' 2003 schedule, Montgomery is second in scoring with 33 points. He trails only Westminster's hard-running back, Scott Froelich, who has 66 points on 11 touchdowns.
Montgomery's point total has come on 5-of-6 field goals and 18-of-20 extra points. His longest field goal is a 35-yarder.
He went 2-for-2 in extra points against Thiel in the Titans' 14-13 triumph, with Montgomery's second attempt being the margin of victory.
Against Bethany, Montgomery converted on two field goals (27 and 28 yards) to aid in the Titans' crushing of the Bison, 33-0.
Perhaps the most significant kick by Montgomery came in a 3-0 Titan win at Allegheny in overtime. He converted on a 31-yard attempt in the first overtime period to give the Titans the 3-0 verdict after a defensive struggle that saw neither team put any points on the board in regulation.
That victory was just the second overtime game and first overtime triumph for Westminster in the school's football history.
Westminster's only other extra-session game came in a 33-27 home loss to Northern Michigan to conclude the 1999 season.
Years from now, Montgomery can look back to some fond memories of his football years at Westminster. Schmitt can look back, too, and remember the efforts of his young kicker, the one he didn't have to look very far for in order to obtain his services.
Trio lauded
In that recent victory over Thiel, which was the Titans' 18th straight over the Tomcats, Westminster selected three players for Titans of the Week honors.
Senior wide receiver Brian Ekis (Boardman) was named Offensive Titan of the Week. He caught three passes for 52 years, including a juggling 44-yard reception that ultimately resulted in the Titans scoring the game-winning touchdown.
Sophomore outside linebacker Jerry Bonenberger (Mount Lebanon) was tabbed as Defensive Titan of the Week as he recorded a game-high 21 tackles (13 solo, 8 assisted) in the victory, including three tackles-for-losses and 1 1/2 quarterback sacks, along with one pass breakup.
Earning Special Teams Titan of the Week laurels was junior defensive back Sean Diefenderfer (Austintown Fitch). He posted one special-team tackle and was honored for his play on the Titan kick return units, including a key fair catch on a short Thiel kickoff.