Posts published in “Sports”

(Archive March 2016) Super Bowl 50: Game in Review – Broncos Defense Shines, Panthers Falter

By editorialteam on August 23, 2024

By Andrew Hoenig | Assistant Editor

Levi Stadium, Cali. – The Broncos earned their third Super Bowl trophy after the vaunted Denver defense did its job.

The Broncos defense was ferocious all season long with its consistent blitzing and stifling secondary play. The defense lead the way for the team, being 1st overall in yards allowed per game and pass yards allowed per game. The team was 4th in points allowed and 3rd in rush yards allowed. Stars like defensive ends Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, cornerback Aqib Talib, and safety T.J. Ward highlighted the most fearsome group in the NFL this past year. Lead by their defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who was in his first year with the team, the group grew into a powerhouse that stifled the likes of quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers this season. read more

(Archive March 2016) New England Patriots: 2015 Season in Review

By editorialteam on August 22, 2024

By Andrew Hoenig | Assistant Editor

Despite numerous injuries, the Patriots prevailed against many odds this season.
blogs.denverpost.com

New England, U.S. – The Patriots 2015 season came to a close after the team fell to the eventual Super Bowl 50 champion Broncos in the AFC Championship game in Denver this year.

The game came down to some questionable decisions, poor offensive line play, and ultimately a failed two-point conversion that sent the Patriots home for good in a stunning 20-18 loss to the Peyton Manning-led Broncos with an attack dog defense.

The game ultimately highlighted the Patriots 2015 campaign in the worst way. Head coach Bill Belichick elected to not kick a field goal late in the game that may have actually allowed them to win the game. This was one of the things that surprisingly plagued the Patriots in the second half of the season. Belichick is widely regarded around the NFL and by fans as one of, if not the best coach to ever coach the game; but this year he seemed to get in his own way a little bit. After key injuries to many of the Patriots players, especially on the offensive side of the ball, Belichick made some questionable decisions against the division rival Jets and Dolphins in the final two games that may have cost the Patriots a chance to play at home in the AFC Championship once again for the 6^th time under the head coach. read more

(Archive March 15, 2010) SGA Sponsors Volleyball Tournament for Second Year in a Row

By editorialteam on July 10, 2024

By Jeffery Langlois | Observer Reporter

The MWCC team from last year’s Volley Ball Tournament
Photo by Sandy Arsenault

MWCC will hold its second annual Volleyball Tournament on March 26, according to SGA (Student Government Association) President Brian Klink.

According to Klink, even though a trophy will be awarded to the winner, the Tournament is more about networking than competition. The main reason for having the Tournament is to bring some of the other community colleges in the area together to share ideas on ways to improve as a college, said Klink.

The Tournament will be held in the MWCC gymnasium and will be a double elimination tournament. Even with the Tournament being more about networking than competition, “there will still be a trophy awarded to the winner and bragging rights for a year,” said Klink. read more

(Archive November 2007) Intramural Sports Being Offered at the Mount

By editorialteam on July 10, 2024

A new Intramural Sports Program is being developed at the Mount and will be taking place at the Fitness and Wellness Center. A gym membership is not needed to participate. This is a noncommittal program so students can show up as often as they want. Currently the weekly time slot for activities is Wednesdays 11:40am to 12:30pm, with an option to stay until 1pm.

A variety of sport and physical activities will be available including basketball, soccer and volleyball. The program is still in development and is seeking ideas from the students to further improve it. There are plans in work for a 3 on 3 basketball tournament. Interested individuals or teams can stop by or call for sign-up information. The deadline to sign up for the tournament will be November 13th. Paula Richard will be available to speak with students about the program in her office, room 149 on most Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 2pm, or she can be reached via telephone at 978-630-9349. read more

(Archive November 2007) Celtics Going for Banner

By editorialteam on July 10, 2024

By John Roche | Observer Contributor

The Boston Celtics have had their good seasons and their bad. The most memorable seasons were produced while under the direction of coaching guru Red Auerbach. The Celtics produced three dynasties winning 16 World Titles from 1957 to 1986 with eight of the sixteen being consecutive wins. However, in the years following, not as many positive things can be said about the Boston Celtics. The last glimpse of hope came in 2002 when they made an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals. Although, there has been much talk of the 07’-08’ team bringing home another banner. With this being said, one must wonder what happened to the glory days? What brought upon such a downfall and could this year really be a banner year? read more

(Archive November 2007) The Bruins May Have a Shot

By editorialteam on July 10, 2024

By Sean Reardon | Observer Contributor

The Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League have not been a good team for the last few years, but with a new goaltender and an improved offense and defense from last year, this team has a good shot at making the playoffs this year.

The Bruins have not qualified for postseason play the last two seasons and have finished in the basement of the division. Over the last few years, the coaching and front office of the team have been looking for all the right players to fit their system and this year, it looks like they really have the right players. read more

(Archive November 2007) A Great End to a Great Season

By editorialteam on July 10, 2024

The Red Sox Route to Victory

The Red Sox, who led all major league teams with a 96-66 record, advanced to the World Series for the first time since they broke the curse of the Bambino in 2004. Similar to 2004, when they made the greatest comeback in MLB history by coming back from a 3 game deficit to the New York Yankees to win the series 4-3 and sweep the Cardinals in the World Series, the Red Sox came back from being down 3 games to 1 to beat the Cleveland Indians and swept the Colorado Rockies in the World Series.

Josh Beckett who had the best record in all of baseball (20-7) had his worst game of the season against the Colorado Rockies back in June. After coming off two great starts to help the Red Sox beat the Indians, and being crowned ALCS MVP, Beckett won his fourth game of the playoffs by beating Jeff Francis (17-9) in game 1 of the World Series by a score of 13-1. Beckett pitched 7 strong innings while allowing only 1 run. read more

(Archive March 2006) Rough Road Ahead for Red Sox

By editorialteam on June 26, 2024

By J.D. Potvin

This upcoming season should be a very exciting one for the Red Sox. With many fresh faces and returning stars they should be looking forward to an interesting season. It will not be a walk in the park for our Sox, however. This season may prove to be one of the most competitive ever. With the former beloved center fielder Johnny Damon traded to the evil empire, Manny continuing to be Manny, and 5 new starters in the field, the chemistry may be a little off. However, they perhaps have the best infield in the league and their hitting is more than likely going to be solid. The only wild card will be the rotation. With the unpredictability of Keith Foulke after his surgery last year and with Curt Schilling continuing to grow older, some of the burden will fall on the young pitchers, Papelbaun and DiNardo, to step up to the plate. This may not be all that unreasonable, considering how effective they were towards the end of the season last year. The rest of the burden will fall on the rotation, which last season was 70-42, and the bullpen, which last season had a combined 3.38 ERA. read more

New England’s Football Rollercoaster

By editorialteam on December 27, 2023

A Season in Review

By Ben Howard | Observer Contributor

Has it been a year for football, or what? The season is definitely not over, but with fall winding down and the winter chill rolling in, the playoffs will soon be upon us. It’s at this point when we start to see the best teams thrive and, unfortunately, the worst teams tumble.

In years past, as New Englanders, we could always count on the Patriots notorious “second-half comeback” as a reliable backup plan when the first half didn’t go our way. Nowadays, that dependable fallback seems to have vanished. We used to be able to rely on a consistent pass, carries, and catches from our top-pick lineup. With Mac Jones at the helm, fans have felt that there’s much to be reckoned for. Some attribute the shifts to Head Coach Bill Belichick, while others believe it’s a team-wide challenge. Whether it’s a breakdown in communication between players and the sidelines or the inevitable toll of an aging head coach, something’s got to give between now and next year if we want our home team to turn it around. read more

Let’s Get Physical

By editorialteam on February 4, 2020

Fitness Center director discusses benefits of exercise for students

By Ryan Lyesiuk
Observer Contributor

Fitness is particularly beneficial to college students seeking better overall health. According to Jason Snoonian, director of the Mount Wachusett Community College Fitness & Wellness Center (also called the Mount Fitness Center), improved health often leads to better classroom performance.

According to Snoonian, increased brain stimulation during exercise may assist a student in and out of the classroom.

*Photo by Thomas Hill Jr.*
**MWCC Fitness & Wellness Center**

“Exercise and increased fitness often leads to better study habits, better-quality sleep, significant overall health advances, and improved confidence,” he said. read more