Rock-'em and sock-'em Two tacklers back Dutchmen By JAMES ALLEN, Staff writer First published: Albany Times Union Wednesday, October 31, 2007 GUILDERLAND -- Senior quarterback Andrew Smith and senior tailback Paul Booker have been the unquestioned leaders of the Guilderland High football team on offense, but when it comes to defense for the Dutchmen, the guys to watch are senior linebackers Pete Stanish and Paul Malamood. Those two are easy enough to spot on the gridiron. Stanish and Malamood are the players swarming all over the opposition's offensive stars every week. Stanish and Malamood lead Guilderland in tackles, and all-around defensive harassment, and hope to be plenty disruptive Friday night when the Dutchmen (8-1) meet La Salle (8-1) in the Class AA Super Bowl at Colonie High. Game time is 7 p.m. and the game can be seen live on Time Warner Cable Channel 3. Guilderland coach Dan Penna has marveled at the accomplishments turned in so far by Stanish and Malamood. "They are considered team leaders, too," Penna said. "Pete has a quiet leadership and Paul is the more vocal of the two. Both are very intense players who are really dedicated to the game of football. They have all the respect of their teammates. Those two in the middle are as much as any reason why we're in the Super Bowl." Penna says his linebacking tandem is the best he has seen at Guilderland during his time at the school. "We have traditionally been a 5-2 front and we've done different things out of that over the years based on personnel, or lack thereof," Penna said. "With our scheme, it allows them to run and make plays. They are tremendous hitters. Stanish and Malamood are grateful for team's defensive structure. "It is a blast. Paul and I get to run around and do our thing," Stanish said. "Guys are giving their bodies up on the line. It is effort for them on every play to sacrifice themselves for us. It is pretty cool." "It is great for us because we get to make all the plays. It is a defense designed for the linebackers," Malamood said. Because the Dutchmen use only two linebackers behind linemen Joe Cardillo, Anthony Jasenski, Jason Lawrence, Devan Vanauken and Booker, Stanish and Malamood have to be versatile to handle interior blocks and also get to the outside to chase down running backs or receivers. La Salle coach Al Rapp recognizes what kind of challenge Stanish and Malamood provide his team Friday night. "I'm impressed with how they react to the ball. They're tough, quick and come downhill," Rapp said. "They're the perfect guys to play in the '50'. Those two play with a lot of confidence." Stanish, a 6-foot, 205-pound senior, earned first-team Large-School All-Area plaudits from the Times Union in 2006, registered 34 combined tackles (9 solo stops and 25 assisted) in Guilderland's 27-6 victory over Queensbury in Week 2. Malamood is 5-10 and weighs 221 pounds. Also an outstanding defender on Guilderland's lacrosse team, Malamood can be a threat at tight end, too. Stanish leads the Dutchmen with 62 solo stops and 77 assisted tackles. Malamood has registered 42 solos and 69 assists. "Whenever a coach assesses the value of a player, he assesses their physical ability but also their mental ability. These kids are able to make adjustments quickly," Penna said. "They really quarterback the defense as well as anyone I've seen on the high school level. Nothing slows them down." Like the rest of their teammates, Stanish and Malamood are looking forward to Friday's Super Bowl matchup against La Salle. The Dutchmen, who are seeking the first title in school history, are going against an opponent they have not faced. "I've been licking my chops all year to get a chance to play La Salle. Thankfully, we have that chance," Malamood said. "We're pumped. We heard a lot about La Salle," Stanish said. "This is our chance to shine. Let's see what happens."