Category: Sports

By Jay Jackson –

With the volleyball season around the corner, the Comets are hoping for a great season.

Penn Manor has a strong returning class of juniors that are looking to compete this season. Coach Chris Telesco is not predicting a state championship this year but expects the season to be successful in many ways.

“I expect this to be a confidence-building year, in which we will realize the potential of the team as a whole, and the players individually,” said Telesco.

This junior-packed team is competing in a very tough section with Hempfield.

“We are and will continue to be a front-runner. Hempfield is consistantly dominant, and this year looks to be a strong year for them, which gives us more incentive to take them down,” said Telesco.

The key returning players are setter Cheyenne Weber, outside hitter Dylan Weber, middle hitter Marc Summy and opposite hitter Joey Jackson.

However, Telesco is expecting the leader of the team to be junior setter Cheyenne Weber who ties their team together.

“I fully expect Cheyenne Weber to be the quarterback of our team. As the setter, he needs to be the quickest and strongest player both physically and mentally,” said Telesco.

Both Weber brothers are going to be expected to do a lot this year.

“We need to work hard and play the game we know how to play,” said Cheyenne’s twin brother Dylan Weber, “we will mostly be a junior team and I am looking forward to this season.”

“I prepared for the long season by lifting weights and doing power training and I play Junior Olympic volleyball and I  also go to open gyms,” Dylan Weber said.

The volleyball team doesn’t only work physically to prepare but also mentally.

“We will be working on mental preparation,” said Telesco.

Without a doubt, big things are expected for the volleyball team this year with the returning players and the work they have put into the off-season.

By Brandon Bowers –

Cam Newton, the Heisman trophy winner, is thinking about entering the NFL Scouting Combine to show off his skills and hard work to get drafted.

“I’m now trying to become the best player I can become. I understand that now I’m a professional, I have to be mature enough to think that way. I don’t have a couch, like in college, to call you every morning. I’m trying to polish my skills on a day-to-day basis. I’m aware I’m moving up on some draft board, but that doesn’t matter to me. To worry about what other people think is a negative in my book,” said Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton in an interview with Ed Gruver.

Cam Newton is one of a kind quarter back. He can do it all with his speed and his arm that can get the ball there before the defense can catch up to it.

“I think a team that can build around him and can revolve around him, He can do it all as seen this year and his pass and run he is a dual threat so we will have to see which team picks him up,” said sophomore Tim Harris.

Newton is going to get picked early in the draft and go to a team that really needs him and may help their team win games.

“I think he should go to the Bills as the 3rd overall pick in the draft, they need a quarterback. He will help by a new style of quarterback by his rushing game a Mike Vick style,” sophomore Aaron Lugo said.

“I’ve been preparing to be confident in a lot of things,” Cam Newton said in an interview with Ed Gruver.

He has his own endorsement deal with Under Armour that he will wear hes signature shoe to the NFL Scouting Combine.

“I think he should go to the lions because they get first pick in draft and they need a quarter back. The lions won like two games in like 16 years they need someone that can throw the ball and run at the same time and not get sacked like 85 times in a single game. They need to win more then two game in the next four years,” said  sophomore Zac Burke.

Cam Newton is a player that may go anywhere and won’t care, he will just want to play and get better at that level so he can lead his team to many victories.

“We don’t have anything set in stone. I’m pretty sure I’ll be in a commercial. But this is a blessing in itself. I would never have imagined it, but here I am,” said Cam Newton in an interview with Ed Gruver.

Cam Newton is a player that may be great for a long time and could make the team he plays for very happy with his running ability and his strong arm.

By Stetson Hershey-

Imagine: Sunday. No football.

“I don’t know what I would do,” said a sophomore from Penn Manor.  “I never really thought about it. I watch the Eagles every Sunday.”

If the NFL players and owners don’t come to a new collective bargaining agreement soon, there could be no football for the 2011 season.

“Why are they [the players and owners] even fighting? Don’t they already make too much money?” said a junior from Penn Manor.

The players and owners are having a dispute over a few things. The biggest one is how to split up nine billion dollars in revenue. The old agreement would give the owners a one billion dollar top off. The owners would like to increase it to two billion before the players would get their share.

Owners would also like to push the season from 16 games to 18 games, while decreasing the preseason games to two. If the season is expanded then the players would want to receive better health care and retirement plans.

Another issue the owners want to fix is the rookie salary. They want to introduce a rookie wage scale, keeping a limit on how much, and how long the unproven rookies can sign contracts for.

Some fans would have a change in heart about their favorite teams if there was a lockout. Some wouldn’t want to attend games anymore, while some would still root for their team just as much as before.

“The Steelers are my team and I will stand behind them no matter what,” said a freshman at Penn Manor.

“I would stop watching the NFL and start watching college football more,” said a junior at Penn Manor.

“If there was a lockout I wouldn’t attend a football game,” said gym teacher Scott Lackey.

1987 was the last time there was a player lockout and it reduced the season games from 16 to 15. Weeks four through six of that season were played with replacement players. Lackey, a Ravens fan, described the games with replacement players as ‘unwatchable.’

Some feel that a lockout will happen and there won’t be any football next year.

“I think a lockout will happen,” said a freshman at Penn Manor.

Others are optimistic that the problems will get worked out and football will be played.

“No, they will play,” said a junior at Penn Manor, “I can’t imagine they would have anything to gain by not playing.”

“No, owners and players can’t stand to lose too much money,” said Scott Lackey, “something will be done before it’s too late.”

Owners and players appear to be sincere on coming to an agreement before the CBA expires on March 3.

The assistant executive director of external affairs for the Players Association recently sent an email regarding this issue to ESPN.com.

“The players didn’t walk out and the players can’t lock out. Players want a fair, new and long term deal. We have offered proposals and solutions on every issue the owners have raised,” said George Atallah.

Stay up to date with the events that unfold with this issue, as it could drastically affect your  Sundays this fall.

By Patrick Simpson –

Tiger Woods personal struggles have now seemingly translated to the golf course.

As most people know, Tiger Woods was one of the greatest golfers of all time, but recently he has not been the same person. His game has taken a turn for the worse ever since wrecking his car outside his Florida house on November 27, 2009.

This is when people found about Tiger Woods’ sex scandal. After these events, different companies who had once supported him were dropping him from their brand.

Some people believe that the game is better without Tiger Woods.

“Without Tiger Woods, the sport of golf is way better,” said Penn Manor student Dylan Martin.

“Golf needs to get past Tiger Woods. He’s washed up and now its time for new players to shine.”said senior Will Tomlinson

“Because all the focus is not centered on him, which gives the younger players a shot,” reasoned Austin Groff, a student.

Is Tiger Woods past his prime?

“Yes, Tiger Woods is past his prime and should not continue playing golf,” Martin said

“(But) I think he  has a little bit left,” said Groff

Has the Great Tiger Woods ruined his image?

“Tiger’s image is already ruined beyond repair and he’s never gonna be able to play at the same level until he gets passed all of his personal issues,” said Tomlinson.

Are Tiger Woods personal issuses going to stay in the back of his mind?

“It is always going to be in the back of his mind,” replied Groff

This much is true, Tiger Woods’ last major win was the U.S. Open in 2008 before all of the drama occurred. People close to Woods think he is going to get back on top very soon. His highest finish in 2010 was tied for second at the Chevron World challenge.

Woods is hoping to stop his drought with a victory in the World Golf Championships at Marana, AZ. He is going for his fourth title in the WGC match play invitational.

By Simon Zimmerman and Matt Ulmer –

Three-pointers almost overcame all the height Red Land had to offer.

The Comets traveled to Red Land for their opening District match up Wednesday night but the trip was in vain. The game was close throughout its entirety, but in the end, the Comets fell short by four.

The game was tied at halftime, but Penn Manor’s failure to execute in the third and fourth quarter cost the emotional boys the game, their season, and for some, their basketball careers.

“We needed to hit our shots down the stretch in the 4th quarter, and we didn’t,” said senior point guard Brian Ramsey.

For seniors Jaq Presbery, Dan Elliot, Teon Lee and Brian Ramsey, it was their final game to play on the hardwood for Penn Manor.

“My heart went out to them because they put in a lot of hard work this season,” said sophomore teammate Taylor Skelly.

At the end of regulation, reality hit the seniors and it was not easy to handle. Some seniors like Presbery had something to say about their love for playing ball post game in the locker room.

“It just sucked that I knew my Penn Manor career was over and I let my teammates know that they should enjoy it and don’t take anything for granted,” said Presbery.

The loss was not easy for Penn Manor basketball fans to grasp as well.

“It was a very hard, depressing thing to see the team I love lose, not to mention my best friend,” said senior Quinn Nadu an avid Comets basketball fan.

“I feel like a big part of my life is over now,” added senior cheerleader Sam McCreary.

Regardless of the disappointing outcome, this year’s team surprised many after losing all starters and still managing a 16-7 overall record.

Juniors Marc Summy, and Landon Alexcih will look to be the heart of the team next year.

By Bryan Buckius –

As the sun begins to rise on a hot August morning, most people are still asleep, but Willie Chalfant isn’t like most people.

Willie is a senior at Penn Manor high school and is the star of the Comet’s boys soccer team.

Chalfant has been a captain on the team for four years and is known for his hard work and dedication to the soccer team.

“Willie is a hard worker whose love for soccer is contagious,” said teammate Austin Rowley.

Although Penn Manor has struggled over the past few seasons, Chalfant has been an LL League and state standout. This season Chalfant was the LL League MVP and was selected to both the All State and All Region team for his performances this season.

Over the four years Chalfant was at Penn Manor he scored 33 goals and had 22 assists. Chalfant also played for club teams such as MAYS, Lanco United, Lower Merion and Penn Fusion soccer clubs.  Chalfant also plays for the Olympic Development Program.

Pete Bournelis, the coach for Lanco United, has been Chalfant’s mentor for the last seven years.

“Pete is definitely a huge part of my success in soccer,” said Chalfant.

Outside of soccer, Chalfant is an average 17-year-old. He is a soccer referee year round both outdoors and indoors at Red Rose Arena. When Chalfant has a free moment off the field he enjoys hunting and fishing.

As the school year is coming to a close, some students are unsure about their futures. Chalfant, on the other hand, is ready for next fall.

“I can’t wait to play soccer at Temple. I am ready to compete at a higher level of competition,” said Chalfant.

By Cody Straub –

As spring comes closer, that means one thing – baseball season will be here soon.

School-age kids have been waiting all winter to play baseball again, going to the batting cages or throwing inside whenever they can, to make sure they can have successful season.

Well more people than just the kids, and the professionals have been training for baseball over the winter.

What about the oldsters?  That’s right, the drive to play America’s favorite game doesn’t go away when players hit their 50s, their 60s, would you believe their 70s!

Penn Manor resident Fred Funk is one such Penn Manor veteran ball player.  To help others stay in the game, Funk started teams for 50, 60, and 70-year-old people who have a love for the game and who wanted the chance to keep playing the game.

“The whole idea is to have fun without getting hurt,” Funk said. “But,” he added, “don’t think it’s not competitive.”

The players go down to Florida in March for a week of “spring training,”  to get ready for their 22-game season, along with playoffs. The season even includes an all-star game or, as Funk said with a laugh, an “old star” game to raise money for charity.

The three leagues start at various times this summer with the 50-and 60-year-old league games starting the first week of April and the 70-year-old league starts the first week of March.

“They don’t like cold bats,” said Funk of the 70-year-old group.

According to Funk, the leagues play doubleheader games on Saturdays and practice Mondays and Wednesdays.

The 50-and 60-year-old leagues play by modified softball rules, while the over 70 is a slow pitch softball style, Funk said.

The 60-year-old league has been around for 20 years but the 50-and 70-year-old leagues are new this year. Funk said he decid

ed to start the new leagues because of the number of people that approached him about playing who were under the age of 60, and not eligible to play.

One of those people was Steve Moore, a Penn Manor alum, who even had knee surgery to prepare himself for his first season.

Tragically, Moore died this year before he had a chance to play.

To find people who could be interested in playing in the league, Funk spent the day in Penn Manor’s high school library looking through old yearbooks at find former baseball players. He said of the people that he contacted so far, most of them were “maybe’s ” to play in the league.

No matter what age, the leagues will see a lot of exercise, effort and exhilaration.