Ahead of their 2025 season, Manchester Township high school football players were recently interviewed by the Walk the Talk Sports Podcast and treated themselves to some dining at a nearby restaurant.
Even though it was a sweltering Tuesday afternoon in August, the atmosphere at Lakehurst’s Hangar 21 Restaurant & Pizzeria suggested that the neighborhood was eager for a cool fall Friday night of football beneath the lights.
Sal, the owner and chef of Hangar 21, welcomed guests with dishes of food and a sneak peek at the 2025 Manchester Hawks football schedule.
For a podcast edition that celebrated the coming season and highlighted the close relationship between the Manchester-Lakehurst community and its schools, residents of Leisure Village West (LVW) gathered as the live audience.
LVW locals Rob Lombardo and Alex Peck host the taping of Walk the Talk, a podcast produced by and for the Leisure Village West community. With team captains Mike Fink and Miguel Espinal and head coach Tommy Farrell of Manchester Township High School, their presentation has become increasingly popular and attracted a packed house that afternoon for an exclusive football season preview.
The discussion focused on the Hawks’ preseason preparations as well as the students’ continued community service, most notably through the Technology 101 program, which was recently featured on the front page of The Manchester Times.
Many people in attendance observed that there is still a strong bond between MTHS students and the Manchester community as a whole.
Integrity Over Ego, or IOE, is the squad motto for this year. Coach Farrell highlighted his player-centered, community-first philosophy, which holds that humility and service are the keys to leadership.
“The cost of success is embracing the challenge of our new division,” Farrell said. We must earn the respect we desire in the B-South. The championship from the previous year is behind us. To become the best, we want to play the best.
Espinal and Captain Fink shared this attitude. Because of Coach Farrell, football in Manchester is more than simply a game, according to Fink. He instills in us the values of fortitude and fraternity. We are aware that hard labor cannot be replaced, Espinal continued.
The season for the MTHS Hawks will begin on August 28 at Manchester Township High School at 5:00 p.m. “The community is strongly encouraged to show up, cheer loud, and be part of something special,” stated Dina Silvestri, public information officer for the school district.
The team is feeling all of the support and enthusiasm as several villages and localities are already organizing group get-togethers at the games. We appreciate your support of our players. Every game and every sport benefits from your spirit, she continued.
