Four more Warriors to play ball in college

BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer

PLUMSTED - New Egypt High School football coach Tom Farrell takes pride in making sure his players put forth their best effort both on the field and in the classroom. He stresses the importance of dedication.

"Sure, we want to make sure the kids excel on the field, but making sure we can get as many kids into college is really what this program is geared for," Farrell said. "We want to make sure we get as many kids in positions that will benefit them both athletically and academically."

Farrell should feel good about last year's team. Four of his players from last year's 5-5 squad will be playing football at the collegiate level. That makes 15 players in five years who have gone on to play at the next level.

"That's what I'm really most proud of as a coach," Farrell said. "For a small Group I program like ours to have 15 kids playing at the college level says something about what we're doing here."

Dom Valdner, Stephen Panasuk, Josh Howard and Andy Fox all will be playing next fall.

Valdner, a 6-foot-5, 275-pound offensive lineman, will be attending Cornell University. A three-year starter for the Warriors, Valdner is one of the top academic students at New Egypt High School. He will most likely see time as an offensive lineman and possibly at center, Farrell said.

"He is such a great kid," Farrell said. "He's been a real steady influence on our offensive line the past three years. He is a very bright student and I feel Cornell is going to be a great fit for him."

In fact, Valdner was selected to play in the Governor's Bowl June 10 at Rutgers University.

Panasuk holds more than 15 school records at quarterback for the Warriors. He passed for more than 1,100 yards and completed 12 touchdown passes this past season. He will be attending LaSalle University in the fall. At 6 feet 4, 215 pounds, Panasuk will challenge for the quarterback position.

He will be playing in the North-South Bowl game scheduled for June 28 at Rutgers.

"I think LaSalle is ideal for him," Farrell said. "He will have the opportunity to play right away there. If he had gone somewhere else, he may have ended up a 'red shirt' and possibly sitting for a while. At LaSalle, he is going to be in the mix right away."

At 6 feet 4, 245 pounds, Howard was a key to the New Egypt defense this past season. His quickness and ability to read the play made him an anchor of the defense from his defensive end slot. Howard will attend Kean University in the fall.

"He is a very good player and will help that program right away," Farrell said. "He was probably one of the best all-around athletes on the team this past year."

Fox, an offensive lineman, is headed for Western New England College. At 5 feet 11, 215 pounds, Fox is slated to play guard for the Division III program.

"We're real happy about having four great kids moving on next year," Farrell said. "That's what it is all about. We want them to play football and get an education."