Intelligencer Journal from Lancaster, Pennsylvania • 21

Intelligencer Journal, Lancaster. Pa. Monday, October 23, 2006 C3 Sports Opportunity for Streaks MT boys hope to battle for state team crou PIAA GOLF BY JASON FULGINITI Intelligencer Journal Sports Writer The preseason speculation was that a dream season could be on the horizon. An idea that appeared to be validated when Manheim Township cruised to the Lan-caster-Lebanon League Section One title with a perfect 40-0 record this fall, backed it up by placing all five of its golfers in the top-12 en route to wanning the team championship at the L-L League Boys Championships, and produced the L-L girls champion for the second straight year in senior Sarah Bejgrowicz. But a funny thing happened on the way to history.

While Bejgrowicz went on to claim her second straight gii'ls individual title at the District Three Championships at Briarwood last w'eekend, all but one of the Blue Streaks boys golfers (Connor Lefever) missed the cut after one round, demolishing Townships dream of producing one of the best seasons in school history. Or did it? Despite getting its only individual finish from Lefever (74-79143, tied for sixth) at districts, the Streaks walked away from that event with plenty more. Exempt for the district team competition after its L-L team victory, Township went on to win the schools first We have to have guys who play well, Walters said. We cant have some of those blowup holes. Nobody can shoot like an 84 because that will really put you behind the 8-ball.

Meanwhile, aside from Lefever on the boys side, Hempfield senior Zak Dre-. scher the reigning Lanco Junior champion and L-L Section One scoring leader and District Three runnerup Lancaster Mennonites Matt Burkhart (tied for fifth) and David Denlinger (tied for ninth), Lancaster Christians Jeremy Walker (tied for sixth), Lancaster Catholics Robbie Gilbert (tied for 16th), Conestoga Valleys Pat Beck (tied for 20th) and Hempfields Steve Werst (tied for 21st) are other potential contenders. In addition to Bejgrowicz, who is looking for her first state title after finishing fourth as a freshman, eighth as a sophomore and ninth as a junior, Warwicks Allison Weaver will also play in the girls division. Shes hitting the ball better than she has in the past, Walters said of Bejgrowicz. And youve got to have some more confidence when youre older.

Something Townships team definitely seems to possess as a whole, which could amazingly enough still produce one of the best seasons in the schools history. district team championship by 23 shots over Wyomissing. Also exempt for the team competition at the inaugural East Regional' Ibumament held two days later, the Streaks added to their trophy case again by finishing tied for first in a darkness-shortened 15-hole round before settling for silver on a match-of-cards tiebreaker. All of which leads us to today when, despite having only Connor and Bejgrowicz to represent it individually, Town-ship will still have a lot to play for at the PIAA Championships at Heritage Hills Golf Club in York (8:30 a.m.), where theyll vie for the first state team golf championship in school history. As I explained to the kids, I think theyre luckier, Township coach Skip Walters said, because most kids seasons end with not shooting a certain score and theyre done.

But theyre still alive, because they still have an opportunity to play for this team thing. A team thing that involves Erie Cathedral Prep and Hol-lidaysburg, which advanced from the West Regional, and Radnor from the East. Tying to get it done for Tbwnship at this point will be Lefever, Austin Wolf, J. Socie and Josh ShoffstalL Associated Press Anthony Scirrottos return of an Illinois onside kick for a touchdown iced the Nittany Lions victory Saturday. Scirrotto: Improving Michigan grabs second place in BCS standings LION TRACKS Learning experience for Williams Illinois QB earns respect in defeat BY KEVIN FREEEMAN Intelligencer Journal Sports Writer UNIVERSITY PARK The football education of a young college quarterback is an ongoing experience.

Most of them watch from the sidelines for a year or two before being thrust into a game. Some, however, dont get a year or two to watch. They get thrown in there several games into their first season. Like Illinois quarterback Juice Williams. Williams, a true freshman, was introduced to the intensity of Big Ten football when he was trying to lead the Fighting Elini out from the shadow of their own goalpost against Penn State late in Saturdays game at Beaver Stadium.

Its one thing to be deep in enemy territory. Its quite another when that enemy territory is some 20 yards from one of the biggest student sections in the nation. And most of those students were screaming. Whether Penn States students had anything to do with it or not, Williams ended up taking a safety, stretching Penn States lead to 17-12. The crowd did a great job, said Penn State linebacker Dan Connor, who tackled Williams in the end zone for the two points.

Juice is a young quarterback, and a loud crowd can get in his head. Williams didnt play much like a freshman in the first half, directing the Illini to 209 offensive yards against the Nittany Lions. He drew comparisons to former Penn State QB Michael Robinsoa Hes a great runner, Connor said. We were having trouble trying to contain him. Hes a tough guy to tackle.

Illinois coach Ron Zook referenced Joe Patemos decision to play freshmen Derrick Williams and Justin King last season as a reason why starting Williams will pay dividends. You never really know until a player is in that type of environment but I felt comfortable that he would be a guy who would handle the pressures and not go off the deep end, Zook said of Williams. One of the best: Penn State senior Jeremy Kapinos proved Saturday why he is one of the best punters in college football. He averaged 45.6 yards on eight punts and became the Nittany Lions career leader in punt yardage Four of Kapinos punts were downed inside the Illinois 20. There was a time in.

the offseason where I became 100 percent commited to punting, Kapinos said. I realized, at that point, that I could go places with it. It was just maturity and realizing that if I wanted to go to the highest level (the NFL), I had to commit myself. Notes: The Nittany Lions defense recorded a season-high six sacks. Thats the most by the Lions defense since it had nine last season against Wisconsin.

LB Paul Posluszny had a season-high 13 tackles, moving him into second place on the Penn State career tackles list with 326, behind only Greg Buttle (343). Posluszny also had one sack and one forced fumble, which was returned by Tony Davis for a touchdown. (kickoff return when an onsides kick is anticipated) last year because they knew I had some experience with that, he said. It was fun. I wasnt expecting to score but I saw the opening so I took a chance.

The kickoff return for a TD was the first since Larry Johnson returned a kick 97 yards against Illinois in 2001. Scirrotto called his day surreal. He was understandably happy about the two picks and the TD but preferred to look at the big picture. Its a great feeling, he said. But youre expected to do those things.

Thats all over with now. I had all my glory. I have to work on my mistakes and try to get better. Theres always room for improvement. Kevin Freeman's e-mail address is kfreernanlnpnews.com played Jan.

8 in Glendale, Ariz. Ohio State, USC and Michigan are in control of the national championship race. If two of those teams finish the regular season unbeaten, it probably wont matter what goes on with the teams behind them. USC and Michigan are tied for the top spot in the computer ratings with Ohio State third. The Tojans are second in the coaches poll and Michigan is a close third.

In the Harris poll, the positions are reversed. In the AP poll, Ohio State is No. 1 with Michigan second and USC No. 3. ASSOCIATED PRESS Michigan slipped in front of Southern California into second place in the Bowl Championship Standings on Sunday, but theres no reason for the Tojans to worry.

USC is still a solid No. 3 behind first-place Ohio State and Michigan. And with the Buckeyes and Wolverines slated to meet on Nov. 18 in Columbus, Ohio, the Tojans remained in. good shape to secure a spot in the BCS championship game with an undefeated regular season.

The Buckeyes, who have been No. 1 in the polls all season by a wide margin, have a BCS average of .9764 out of a possible 1.000. The Wolverines .9451 gives them a slight edge over the Tojans What is more important for the Tojans is their wide margin over fourth-place West Virginia. The unbeaten Mountaineers moved up a spot this week, switching places with Auburn. But West Virginias .7551 average leaves it with loads of ground to make up on the top three.

The BCS title game will Continued from Cl clouds somewhere. I felt like the first half wasnt my half and I had to make up for it in the second half. Not only me but the whole defense. With the offense struggling, the onus was on the defense to make something happen. As well as the Penn State defense has played for most of the season it was ranked 28th in total defense in Division I prior to Saturdays game it had only forced 10 turnovers in six games, six of those coming against Akron and Youngstown State.

We knew we had to get the job done on defense, Scirrotto said. We had to get a turnover and we had to score on defense. Scirrotto, a sophomore from West Deptford, got his feet wet by subbing in the secondary on occasion last season. With Penn State graduating the entire secondary after last season, Scirrotto won a starting spot after preseason camp. I felt like I was a step ahead of where I was last year, he said.

The game was slowing down for me. I was reading offenses better and I was reacting better. I gained a little weight and got stronger and that put me in a great situation. Scirrotto, the Lions fourthleading tackier, had four tackles and a pass breakup against Illinois. Anthony has made a ton of progress, said PSU linebacker Dan Connor.

Thats a tough position (hero). Last year, Calvin Lowry did a great job and Anthony (Scirrotto) is following right in his footsteps. Hes real instinctual with good speed. Each game you just see him getting better and better. Scirrottos day wasnt over after his second interception.

When Illinois tried an onsides kick after a Penn State safety, Scirrotto fielded the ground ball and headed toward the end zone. It was there that his baseball instincts kicked in. Scirrotto, who received several Division I scholarship offers for baseball, played shortstop in high school. They put me on that unit m42im ytuua CAM Mdk Sun time ooo Recapture the spirit of the 60s and 70s! Its time to pick up your copy of this fascinating historical book from Lancaster Newspapers: From Lancaster to the Moon: Recounting the 1960s and 1970s in Lancaster, Pennsylvania This comprehensive account of a bygone era contains reproductions of actual articles, front pages, plus historic photographs from the Intelligencer Journal, Lancaster New Era and Sunday News. This sure-to-be-treasured, limited edition book makes a wonderful keepsake and includes: Influential stories, photographs advertisements Lancaster, worldwide coverage 296 pages, (high-quality book is llw l4h) Secure, protective-plastic wrapping Add a local historical book to your collection today! Heels Bunting out aRer season lier in the day and was told he would not return next season.

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