Army defensive back Gervon Simon has never played against Navy, and he’s a senior. Even if he doesn’t get his first chance on Saturday when the archrivals meet in Baltimore, he’s more than ready for what will be the biggest football game of his life.
“This is the most excited I’ve been and the most confident I’ve felt in our team in all four years,” Simon said. “I don’t think there needs to be any more motivation. As a team, we understand the significance of this game.”
Army coach Jeff Monken is in his third year at West Point, and he marvels at the passion of players like Simon, whose Army resume is scant. Simon, also a member of special teams, has played in only four games this season and has assisted on two tackles. Those are the only four games Simon has played in his Army career.
When you consider that Simon was a standout quarterback in high school in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and that his father, Geroy, was a star receiver at Maryland and one of the most decorated players in Canadian Football League history, you understand why Monken heaps praise on this senior class.
“They decided that it was time for us to get it done,” Monken said. “They’ve worked tirelessly. Tough, resilient, hard-working group of guys that believe in each other. No matter what’s come our way, they found a way to claw back and come back the next week and prepare for the next day.