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PG WEST: Hopewell grad helps Grove City on offense ... plus he talks a pretty darned good game, too
Thursday, August 16, 2007

"The Matt & Mac Radio Show" will return to the airwaves next month on WSAJ, the Grove City College radio station. But the show's hosts -- Matt Gregg and Brandon McCall -- will have to find another time slot for their one-hour show.

"We had a weekly radio show on Saturday during the last semester," said Gregg, a two-time All-Presidents' Athletic Conference football selection who graduated from Hopewell High School. "We didn't have a set format, we just did what we wanted. We would play some music and talk about what was going on at the time. And it wasn't just sports talk."

It's doubtful coach Chris Smith will let Gregg or McCall take off on Saturdays, however. He has other plans for them.

Gregg and his co-host McCall, a placekicker from Duquesne High School, will be quite busy on Saturday's this fall as both enter their final season with the Wolverines football team.

"The radio show was a lot of fun," said Gregg. "We're both looking forward to hosting again this fall, but it will have to be on a different day, maybe a Monday night."

Gregg came to Grove City after playing two seasons at Hopewell, but didn't start until his senior year.

"I didn't start my junior year, until the playoffs, when I stepped in for an injured teammate," said Gregg, who saw significant playing time as a backup. "I was No. 2 on the depth chart at all five line positions.

"The easiest way to get playing time, is to know all five positions. Whenever someone on the line needed a break, I stepped in for them. Several injuries gave me even more playing time."

Gregg came to Grove City in 2004 penciled in as a guard, but quickly took advantage of his versatility.

"One of our starting tackles was injured early in the season and I was called on to split time with another freshman," said Gregg. "I learned the plays very quickly and eventually started the last two games."

Gregg made another position change at the start of the 2005 season.

"I moved to center early in my sophomore season due to an injury," said Gregg, who was voted to the second team All-Presidents' Athletic Conference for his performance. "I've been playing center ever since, but I'm always ready if they need to make a change."

Gregg was named to the PAC first team last season. He was also the only underclassmen on Grove City's offensive line.

"We did have a few back-ups who saw a lot of playing time due to injuries, so the line isn't as inexperienced as it could be," said Gregg, who welcomes the leadership role he's gained as the most experienced returning lineman. "I know what everybody on the line is supposed to do, so I try to keep them in control, and calm their nerves when needed."

Grove City has posted a 3-7 record the last three years. Gregg said this year's Wolverine squad has a chance to change that trend.

"We have six starters back on each side of the ball, and quite a few other kids who played a lot last year," said Gregg. "It's never easy when you're competing in such a strong conference, but we have enough talent to be one of the top teams."

Gregg came to Grove City on the recommendation of various friends and family.

"I had heard a lot about Grove City from family members and other friends," said Gregg. "I really liked the coaches when I visited. I also liked the academic side of it. I sat in on a few classes and really liked the teachers."

Gregg is majoring in communications.

"I just had an internship working in the Sports Information Department with SID Ryan Briggs," said Gregg. "I helped with the inaugural Grove City Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony [Feb. 17]. It was a good learning experience."

McCall is a senior placekicker who missed the 2006 season with a knee injury sustained in training camp. He was Grove City's kicker in 2005 as a sophomore, and connected on 4 of 8 field goals, and 12 of 15 extra points.

The Wolverines struggled to fill his spot in the starting lineup, as two teammates split the kicking duties, but neither connected on a field goal.

First published at PG NOW on August 15, 2007 at 9:16 am
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