Parmer, Comets outpoint Warwick

Daulton Parmer has only been on the field for a season and a half, but the junior wide receiver has already made his mark in Penn Manor's football record books.

With his second catch of the evening — a 12-yard swing pass — Parmer reset the program record for career receptions, leading the Comets to a 34-20 victory over Warwick Friday night at Millersville's Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium.

Parmer, who broke the standard of 68 catches set by Don Geiter in 1989-90, finished the night with eight catches for 104 yards and a score.

Ironically, Geiter is the cousin of Parmer's father, Darren.

"He's a possession receiver (and) a very good route runner," said Comets head coach Todd Mealy.

"That's my thing," said Parmer. "I really don't have amazing speed. I don't have the height (he's generously listed as 5-foot-10 in the program). But I run crisp routes."

A skill attributed to great coaching from former Conestoga Valley and Syracuse University star, Darryl Daniel, for two years, and now former Millersville standout Bill Shirk.

 In addition to his duties at receiver, Parmer also plays cornerback on defense, a position where he made a lasting impression Friday night.

Warwick (2-3 Section One, 2-6 overall) took an early lead, driving 82 yards in nine plays, capped by Brady Forney's 1-yard push from the Wildcat formation.

The Comets (3-2, 5-3) answered with an 11-play, 62-yard possession, with Brandon Stone taking a toss play in from a yard out.

Shawn Mearig's PAT kick for Warwick was blocked and the Comets' Brian Sloss pushed his PAT left, leaving the score 6-6 early in the second period.

Then Warrior quarterback Tyler Farnan tried to connect with Forney on a 10-yard hitch.

He found Parmer instead, who returned the interception down the left sideline 29 yards to the 1-yard line.

"I thought I was in the end zone," said Parmer, who was pushed out short of the pylon.

Quarterback Adam Sahd sneaked over on the next play and the Comets had a lead they would not relinquish.

Two possessions later, their secondary pilfered another Farnan offering with Adrian Viruet snaring the ball at the Manor 42.

Parmer broke the record on the first play from scrimmage and pulled in a 5-yard TD pass from Sahd (13 for 20, 142 yards) to cap the drive.

"We have a pattern of self destruction," said Warrior coach Bob Locker, "and we did it again tonight."

But the Warriors also did some constructive things.

Getting the ball back at their 37 with 26 seconds before halftime, one might assume Warwick would run the ball into the line, hit the locker room and go over second-half changes.

Instead, Farnan found Forney down the left sideline.

Forney, who finished with two catches for 87 yards and nine rushes for another 68, out-jumped two defenders for the ball at the Comet 38 and outran two more to complete a 63-yard scoring play.

"He's really good (but) he flies under the radar," said Locker. "He's going to be a real steal for some college somewhere."

Manor put two long drives together to open the second half, with Stone scoring his second TD of the night, from 11 yards out, and Dylan Weber scoring on a 14-yard run.

Forney made it a two-score game on a 25-yard "Wildcat" run with 10:47 left.

But the Comets burned almost five minutes off the clock before surrendering the ball on downs.

Warwick's comeback chances took a mortal blow when JA Howland dropped Farnan's fourth-down slant at the Warrior 38 with four minutes left.

Then, with 1:30 left, Parmer pulled in his second interception to kill the game.
dbyrne@lnpnews.com