FROM THE SIDELINES:  By LARRY  'SportsHound'  SPEGAR
 
    ABINGTON HEIGHTS COMETS SOAR TO A NEW LEVEL;
     2005 PLAYOFFS ARE UNDERWAY THIS COMING WEEKEND 
                       
COMETS STREAKING OVER DISTRICT 2:  Over the past 10 weeks did anyone notice a rising star, or better yet Comet, over the friendly skies of Lackawanna County, or more specifically over the Summit Heaven known as the Abingtons.  Long relished for peaceful, quiet and beautiful scenery, including the breathtaking hills and mountains synonomous with the Heights area, the Abingtons are a proud and scenic area nestled in the spectacular boundaries of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
         
In case you haven’t heard, the Abington Heights Comets are 10-0.  Undefeated!  Unbeaten!  Impressive!  Absolutely!  Abington Heights has rolled through the regular season with ten impressive wins to its credit.  With a tremendous display of explosive offense and a fiery defense, Abington Heights has been impressive to say the least.
 
Abington has recorded several shutouts, as well as recording many double digit victories over countless opponents through the course of the regular season.  Abington’s wins have been exciting and their fans have been treated to a royal feast of talent throughout the 2005 football season.  What lies ahead as the Comets prepare for the playoffs will turn the Heights area into a beehive of buzz and excitement.
 
On Saturday afternoon, Abington handled West Scranton by registering another memorable shutout, 35-0.  It seems that just as Abington catches your eye with their speed and strength on offense, they come right back and impress you even more with defense.  What was that expression about Defense?  Something about Offense sells tickets but Defense wins championships.  At Abington Heights, it appears that both may happen since the Comets have much to offer along both sides of the ball. 
 
Let’s talk about Saturday.  Abington’s offense was very impressive.  Quarterback Jeremy Jayne has great mobility and has a fine arm in getting the ball to some very talented receivers, including Jon Cadman who had many nice catches, including a touchdown.  By the way, Cadman also intercepted a pass in the first half and exploded down the right sideline for 91 yards untouched for another score.  Talk about talent on both ends of the ball.  How about defensive back-receiver Mike Byrne, who registered a touchdown reception in the opening quarter and doubled with an interception later in the game.
 
Also, running back-defensive back, Devin Hewlett scored a second half touchdown and recorded an interception as well.  Add to that an impressive offensive line, a hard hitting defense spearheaded by the likes of defensive ends, Frank Emmett and Mike Paolucci and linebacker, David Chiavacci.  Chiavacci doubles on offense as a hard running fullback.  With Jayne, Hewlett and Chiavacci in the backfield, together with Cadman and Byrne as receivers, Abington possesses many viable threats which fuels the Comet Express to keep on rolling along.
 
Following the game, it’s interesting and rewarding to hear the Comet players talk about the team and their mission to remain undefeated.  An undefeated regular season is a great thing; it is something we have all worked hard for.  But one can easily see the pride and hope and determination on the faces and in the voices of the Comet players, including Jayne, Hewlett, Chiavacci, Emmett and Byrne.  Most impressive is their talk of teamwork.  You can understand how they play well together when you hear the Comets talk about winning and playing for the team.  At 10-0 it is hard to argue that Abington has not perfected the art of playing for one another.  May the dream continue!!
 
Abington Heights Head Coach, Joe Repshis deserves enormous credit.  In his first year, Coach Repshis has turned around a program somehow lacking in direction.  Certainly a program looking to better its record from marginal and average performances over the past few seasons.  Coach said, "We’re taking it one game at a time.  Soft-spoken, focused and spirited, Coach Repshis knows how to motivate his players.  You can see it in the interaction between Coach and players both during and after the game.  Congratulations Coach Joe Repshis on an outstanding job in your inaugural year as Head Coach of the Comet Football Team (Repshis is joined by assistant coaches, Greg Justave, Nate Keisling, Corey Joyce, Bobby Dodd, John Fitzsimmons, Brian Fahey, Kevin Manning and Robert Deremer).
 
Look for more in depth coverage of Coach Joe Repshis and the Abington Heights Comets over the next few weeks.
 
 
PREDICTIONS FOR DISTRICTS 2 AND 4:  When you cover a lot of football games, it’s hard to pick one team over another.  But I have been told by football lovers and the football gods that it makes the games a bit more interesting when predictions are made. 
So with that said and in the spirit of competition, I will make the following predictions for the upcoming District 2 and 4 Teams.  In AAAA, I like Hazleton Area, despite a noble effort and a fine season by Delaware Valley.  In AAA, look for Abington Heights to emerge as Champion.  Wyoming Area and Head Coach Paul Marranca will be a tough out as always.  In AA, I like Hanover, but Lakeland is always a tough contender and sits pretty as the spoiler in this division.  In A, I will take Lackawanna Trail for its 4th straight District 2 Crown.  In District 4, I like Southern Columbia to win and continue their spectacular bid for a 4th straight Pennsylvania State Title.  Good Luck to all teams!!!