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Times-shamrock communiTy newspapers 149 Penn Avenue Scranton, PA 18503 Phone: (570) 348-9185 Fax: (570) 207-3448
August 25, 2016
abingtonsuburban.com
More Than Just Defense
ON THE INSIDE The latest happenings in our area Page 4
SUBURBAN
Abington Heights football is building all aspects of the game by Dave Lauriha
ABINGTON SUBURBAN WRITER
All should forgive Abington Heights head football coach Joe Repshis for showing any signs of being defensive this season. With nine starters returning from a solid defense that kept the Comets in many of its games last year, Abington Heights could be readying itself for a run at the Lackawanna Football Conference (LFC) Division I title. The Comets played many good teams tight last year but never scored more than 14 points in any of its losses. With so much defense back, perhaps an improved offense could make a difference this time around. But Repshis wasn’t biting, insisting that the offensive and special teams play are just as important in winning football games. “Our focus, each and every day, throughout summer, throughout camp, is to improve in all three phases of the game,” Repshis said. “We want to be successful offensively, defensively and special teams-wise, so we need to work to improve individually by position and collectively as a team in all three phases of the game.” He believes that the Comets need more improvement in all aspects of the game, and makes sure they are doing their best at achieving what he wants. “What’s important, is every time we have the opportunity in practice to improve, that’s what we’re looking to accomplish,” Repshis said. “At the end of the day, the ability for us to control the things that we’re able to control, such as our effort and attitude, are really where our focus has been throughout the preseason.” Still, having so many returning starters on defense should give the Comets a cohesive unit, one ready to make a difference on the field. Repshis understands how important game action is to a team, and feels confident that his players will continue to improve. “With a veteran group returning, we have several players that have played a lot of football over the last couple of years in the program,” Repshis said. “That varsity game ex-
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As the football season approaches, Abington Heights players scrimmaged in preseason training.
perience can’t be simulated in practice, and it will be a strength for us.” Headlining the defense is senior tackle Logan Hivner, who earned All-Region honors from The Times-Tribune for his outstanding play. He clogged up the middle and made 17 tackles for losses, and fought off linemen well enough to make three sacks. Hivner will be joined up front in the trenches by a pair of senior returning starters in tackle Nick Badalamente and end Nick Kerekes. Senior Ryan Davis completes the front four. Owen Hivner, a junior, is making the move from the outside to be the middle linebacker, while senior Ben Vale returns at one outside linebacker with senior Ryan Harvey at the other as the second new defensive starter. That leaves the secondary with all four starters returning for their senior season. Nick Emmett and Colin McCreary are the safeties while Brendan Hardy and Tom Rothenberger are the cornerbacks. McCreary, who recently verbally committed to Monmouth for baseball, serves as the
Comets’ punter and kicker, good enough to merit All-Region honors. The offense has five starters back with senior Corey Justave and Davis as the tackles and Badalamente at center. McCreary and Hardy are the starters at wide receiver. Emmett has emerged as the starting quarterback for the Comets, while a backfield by committee approach leaves fullbacks Vale and Harvey and tailbacks Anthony Duboski and sophomore Kaleb Sherman sharing the load running the ball. Up front, Kerekes is the tight end while Logan Hivner and senior Thomas Yocum are the left guard and right guard, respectively. But it will be the defense that gets the early attention. “We’re very excited about the 2016 season,” Repshis said. “I hesitate to compare the current team to other teams of the past, but this is a great opportunity for this group to make a name for itself and go out there and work together collectively and do great things. “They understand the history of our program and are looking to make their mark.”