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Karpinski commits to Temple
BY ED GRUVER, Sports Writer
Manheim Township football coach Mark Evans said Thursday that new Temple boss Matt Rhule knows the caliber of football being played in the midstate.
"And," Evans said, "Matt's committed to keeping local talent home."
That much was in evidence Thursday when Blue Streaks star wide receiver Tyler Karpinski committed to Temple after receiving preferred walk-on status.
"Tyler was pretty excited after coming back from a visit on Saturday," Evans said. "He came back feeling real good about the interaction there (at Temple). He feels pretty good about the situation.
"I'm excited for him to stay local."
Evans said he was told by Owls offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield that Karpinski would be getting a scholarship to play football "before long."
Wide receivers coach Terry Smith will be Karpinski's position coach at Temple.
Karpinski, who earned Lancaster-Lebanon League Section One Wide Receiver of the Year honors last season, also had received preferred walk-on status from Bowling Green as well as several scholarship offers from Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) schools.
Temple finished 2-5 in the Big East last season and 4-7 overall. The Owls open their 2013 campaign Aug. 31 at Notre Dame.
Temple will be in the West Division in the reconfigured Big East, joining new members Boise State, Houston, Memphis, San Diego State and Southern Methodist University. The Owls play their home games at the Philadelphia Eagles' Lincoln Financial Field.
Karpinski helped the Blue Streaks finish 7-5 last season and advance to the District Three Class AAAA quarterfinals.
The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Karpinski hauled in 74 catches for 1,151 yards -- both league-bests -- to go with his eight touchdowns. He averaged 16 yards per catch and 96 yards receiving per game.
"He has the ability to get open, catch the ball and make yards after the catch," Evans said.
Karpinski, who also starred on special teams and defense -- he was named Section One's Defensive Back of the Year last season -- produced 12 TDs total in 2012.
"He has things you can't coach," Evans said of Karpinski, a three-sport athlete who also plays basketball and lacrosse.
"He has the ability to make things happen. He has the want-to."
Karpinski will join another former L-L standout, Penn Manor product Cody Booth, at Temple.
A senior tight end, Booth also was a preferred walk-on who went on to become a scholarship athlete for the Owls.
Karpinski becomes the fourth Township player to commit to play football at the collegiate level. Brendon O'Shea (OL/DL, Ursinus), Donnell McNair (TB/CB, Thaddeus Stevens) and Michael Ramirez (OL/DL, Thaddeus Stevens) announced their decisions Wednesday.
Evans said he expects five more of his players to commit in the coming days.
egruver@lnpnews.com
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