Brian Dawkins calls it a career

Weapon X is calling it a career.

After 16 seasons in the NFL, Brian Dawkins is retiring, announcing his decision on Twitter. Dawkins, who spent the last three years with the Denver Broncos after 13 with the Philadelphia Eagles, finished with 26 sacks and 37 interceptions, made nine Pro Bowls and was selected to the NFL's 200s All-Decade Team.

But beyond the numbers, Dawkins will undoubtedly go down for a lot of fans as the player they most associate with the Eagles run in the last decade that included five trips to the NFC Championship Game and one Super Bowl appearance.

Along with the highlights above, here is Dawkins' speech after the Eagles defeated the Atlanta Falcons in 2004 NFC title game. (And if you are inclined to watch full highlights of that game, there are on Hulu here.)

Claude Giroux's sweet shootout goal vs. Maple Leafs

Is it possible to break a goalie's ankles? Because I'm pretty sure that's what Claude Giroux did last night to Toronto Maple Leafs' goalie Jonas Gustavsson Saturday night.

Flyers' TV announcer described it as a "sick move" and there's probably no better description for what was the only shootout goal in Philadelphia's 1-0 victory.

2012 District One Boys Basketball Postseason

Class AAAA
Nine teams qualify for states
First Round
Friday Feb. 17
(1) Chester 65, (32) Downingtown West 27
(16) Methacton 43, (17) Springfield (D) 35 STORY
(8) Pennsbury 81, (25) Kennett 67 STORY
(9) Norristown 50, (24) Ridley 33 STORY
(4) Central Bucks West 46, (29) West Chester East 36 STORY
(13) Cheltenham 58, (20) Upper Dublin 50 STORY
(5) Wissahickon 54, (28) Glen Mills 47 STORY
(12) Bensalem 56, (21) Upper Darby 44 STORY
(2) Lower Merion 57, (31) Penncrest 32 STORY
(18) Plymouth Whitemarsh 51, (15) Conestoga 39 STORY
(7) Council Rock North 48, (26) Central Bucks South 44 STORY
(10) Souderton 67, (23) West Chester Henderson 55 STORY
(3) Coatesville 82, (30) Truman 49
(14) Penn Wood 76, (19) Spring-Ford 47 STORY
(6) Great Valley 66, (27) Interboro 46 RECAP
(11) Abington 62, (22) Marple Newtown 43 STORY
Second Round
Last Tuesday
(1) Chester 59, (16) Methacton 31 STORY
(9) Norristown 59, (8) Pennsbury 45 STORY
(4) Central Bucks West 62, (13) Cheltenham 47 STORY
(5) Wissahickon 60, (12) Bensalem 53 STORY
(2) Lower Merion 64, (18) Plymouth Whitemarsh 46 STORY
(10) Souderton 70, (7) Council Rock North 53 STORY
(3) Coatesville 71, (14) Penn Wood 62 STORY
(11) Abington 62, (6) Great Valley 51 STORY
Quarterfinals
Last Friday
(1) Chester 81, (9) Norristown 31 STORY
(4) Central Bucks West 60, (5) Wissahickon 56 (2 OT) STORY
(2) Lower Merion 60, (10) Souderton 54 STORY
(11) Abington 69, (3) Coatesville 66 STORY
Semifinals
Tuesday, at Liacouras Center, Temple University
(1) Chester 67, (5) Wissahickon 52 STORY
(2) Lower Merion 68, (11) Abington 54 STORY
Final
Friday, at Villanova University
(1) Chester 61, (2) Lower Merion 53 STORY
Third Place Game
Saturday
(11) Abington 56, (5) Wissahickon 52 STORY
Fifth Place Playbacks
Semifinals
Tuesday
(9) Norristown 50, (4) Central Bucks West 42 STORY
(10) Souderton 66, (3) Coatesville 56 STORY
Fifth Place Game
Friday
(9) Norristown 42, (10) Souderton 36 STORY
Seventh Place Game
Friday
(3) Coatesville 50, (4) Central Bucks West 44
Ninth Place Playbacks
Quarterfinals
Last Friday
(8) Pennsbury 72, (16) Methacton 64 STORY
(13) Cheltenham 58, (12) Bensalem 50 STORY
(7) Council Rock North 64, (18) Plymouth Whitemarsh 59 STORY
(14) Penn Wood 60, (6) Great Valley 50 RECAP
Semifinals
Tuesday
(13) Cheltenham 67, (8) Pennsbury 63
(7) Council Rock North 50, (14) Penn Wood 47 STORY
Ninth Place Game
Friday, at Wissahickon
(7) Council Rock North 54, (13) Cheltenham  47 STORY

Class AAA
Three teams qualify for states
First Round
Last Wednesday
(8) Upper Moreland 72, (9) Phoenixville 56 STORY
(5) Pope John Paul II 73, (12) Sun Valley 52 STORY
(7) Harriton 48, (10) Upper Merion 41 STORY
(11) Bishop Shanahan 54, (6) Pottsgrove 52 STORY
Quarterfinals
Last Friday
(5) Pope John Paul II 55, (4) Pottstown 52 STORY
Last Saturday
(1) Holy Ghost Prep 48, (8) Upper Moreland 35 STORY
(2) Octorara 69, (7) Harriton 59 STORY
(11) Bishop Shanahan 54, (3) Lower Moreland 51
Semifinals
Wednesday, at Plymouth Whitemarsh
(1) Holy Ghost Prep 45, (5) Pope John Paul II 26 STORY
(2) Octorara 64, (11) Bishop Shanahan 56
Final
Saturday, at Haverford College
(1) Holy Ghost Prep 56, (2) Octorara 33 STORY
Third Place Game
(5) Pope John Paul II 58, (11) Bishop Shanahan 55 STORY

Class AA
Final
Wednesday, at Upper Merion
Devon Prep 55, Springfield (M) 50 STORY

Class A
Two teams qualify for states
First Round
Last Tuesday
(8) Christopher Dock 45, (9) Morrisville 33 STORY
Quarterfinals
Last Thursday
(5) Calvary Christian 46, (4) Bristol 28 STORY
Last Friday
(1) Church Farm 60, (8) Christopher Dock 33 STORY
(2) Girard College 65, (7) Delco Christian 47 RECAP
(3) Faith Christian 82, (6) Phil-Mont Christian 39 STORY
Semifinals
Tuesday, at Cheltenham
(1) Church Farm 57, (5) Calvary Christian 41
(3) Faith Christian 67, (2) Girard College 57 STORY
Final
Friday, at Villanova University
(1) Church Farm 61, (3) Faith Christian 34 STORY

2012 District One Girls Basketball Postseason

Class AAAA
Nine teams advances to states
First Round
Friday, Feb. 17
(1) Cheltenham 55, (32) Plymouth Whitemarsh 39 STORY
(8) Methacton 55, (25) Ridley 42 STORY
(13) Abington 50, (20) West Chester Rustin 46 STORY
(15) Central Bucks West 80, (18) Garnet Valley 48 STORY
(19) Central Bucks South 42, (14) Great Valley 39 STORY
(11) Haverford 51, Unionville 35 STORY
Saturday, Feb. 18
(17) Downingtown East 40, (16) Avon Grove 29
(9) North Penn 48, (24) Council Rock North 42 STORY
(4) Downingtown West 46, (29) William Tennent 26
(5) Mount St. Joseph 58, (28) Radnor 21 STORY
(12) Central Bucks East 46, (21) Conestoga 40
(2) Council Rock South 62, (31) Interboro 23 STORY
(7) Upper Darby 51, (26) Pennsbury 34 STORY
(23) Boyertown 31, (10) Lower Merion 27 STORY
(3) Spring-Ford 63, (30) Chichester 49 STORY
(6) Upper Dublin 56, (27) Sun Valley 30 STORY
Second Round
Last Wednesday
(1) Cheltenham 49, (17) Downingtown East 41
(9) North Penn 39, (8) Methacton 30 STORY
(4) Downingtown West 51, (13) Abington 30 STORY
(5) Mount St. Joseph 36, (12) Central Bucks East 27 STORY
(2) Council Rock South 66, (15) Central Bucks West 37 STORY
(7) Upper Darby 61, (23) Boyertown 46 STORY
(3) Spring-Ford 68, (19) Central Bucks South 49 STORY
(11) Haverford 33, (6) Upper Dublin 28 STORY
Quarterfinals
Last Saturday
(9) North Penn 47, (1) Cheltenham 42 STORY
(4) Downingtown West 42, (5) Mount St. Joseph 35 STORY
(2) Council Rock South 44, (7) Upper Darby 32 STORY
Sunday
(3) Spring-Ford 65, (11) Haverford 22 STORY
Semifinals
Wednesday, at Norristown
(9) North Penn 36, (4) Downingtown West 31 STORY
(3) Spring-Ford 56, (2) Council Rock South 50 STORY
Final
Friday, at Villanova University
(3) Spring-Ford 46, (9) North Penn 33 STORY
Third Place Game
Saturday
(4) Downingtown West 56, (2) Council Rock South 50
Fifth Place Playbacks
Semifinals
Wednesday
(5) Mount St. Joseph 55, (1) Cheltenham 36 RECAP
(7) Upper Darby 49, (11) Haverford 32 STORY
Fifth Place Game
Saturday
(5) Mount St. Joseph 53, (7) Upper Darby 27 STORY
Seventh Place Game
Saturday
(1) Cheltenham 60, (11) Haverford 40 STORY
Ninth-Place Playbacks
Quarterfinals
Last Saturday
(12) Central Bucks East 44, (13) Abington 37
(15) Central Bucks West 60, (23) Boyertown 44 RECAP
(6) Upper Dublin 41, (19) Central Bucks South 34 STORY
Monday
(8) Methacton 59, (17) Downingtown East 47 STORY
Semifinals
Wednesday
(12) Central Bucks East 46, (8) Methacton 33 STORY
(6) Upper Dublin 46, (15) Central Bucks West 35 STORY
Ninth Place Game
Friday, at Wissahickon
(6) Upper Dublin 36, (12) Central Bucks East 33 STORY

Class AAA
Three teams qualify for states
First Round
Last Tuesday
(9) Gwynedd Mercy 57, (8) Merion Mercy 38 STORY
(5) Nazareth Academy 61, (12) Pottstown 38
(7) Pope John Paul II 43, (10) Phoenixville 25 STORY
(11) Springfield (D) 50, (6) Marple Newtown 41 STORY
Quarterfinals
Last Friday
(1) Villa Maria 59, (9) Gwynedd Mercy 36
(5) Nazareth Academy 52, (4) Upper Merion 44 STORY
(2) St. Basil 48, (7) Pope John Paul II 43 STORY
(3) Villa Joseph Marie 43, (11) Springfield (D) 30 STORY
Semifinals
Tuesday, at Harriton
(1) Villa Maria 61, (5) Nazareth Academy 47 STORY
(3) Villa Joseph Marie 41, (2) St. Basil 23 STORY
Final
Saturday, at Haverford College
(1) Villa Maria 52, (3) Villa Joseph Marie 39 STORY
Third Place Game
Saturday, at Plymouth Whitemarsh
(5) Nazareth Academy 55, (2) St. Basil 49

Class AA
Two teams advance to states
First Round
Last Saturday
(5) Bristol 62, (4) Springfield (M) 53 STORY
Semifinals
Wednesday, at Upper Moreland
(1) Christopher Dock 61, (5) Bristol 29 STORY
(2) New Hope-Solebury 29, (3) Lower Moreland 28 STORY
Final
Saturday, at Haverford College
(1) Christopher Dock 45, (2) New Hope-Solebury 19 STORY

Class A
Two teams advance to states
Quarterfinals
Last Saturday
(1) Morrisville 66, (8) Calvary Christian 26
(4) Sacred Heart 39, (5) Girard College 32 STORY
(2) Jenknintown 47, (7) Friends Select 28
(3) Delco Christian 53, (6) Phil-Mont Christian 26
Semifinals
Wednesday, at Wissahickon
(1) Morrisville 48, (4) Sacred Heart 42 STORY
(3) Delco Christian 33, (2) Jenkintown 30 STORY
Saturday, at Haverford College
(3) Delco Christian 39, (1) Morrisville 32 STORY

CB West boys win outright SOL Continental title

Derek Dyer helped the Central Bucks West boys basketball team claim the outright Suburban One League Continental Conference title as his layup with four seconds left lifted the Bucks to a 49-47 win over rival Central Bucks South Friday (Ready the game story here).

I was able to get some video of the championship-clinching basket, although it's cut a little short due to the fans in front of me standing up.



And after a South's last-second heave missed the mark, here was the scene afterwards as the West students celebrated the Bucks winning the conference.

SOL Continental Boys Basketball Standings

Through Feb. 10

Team	Conference	PF	PA	Overall	PF	PA
Central Bucks West	13-1	51.6	43.6	20-2	52.2	43.0
Souderton	12-2	59.1	48.8	17-5	57.1	46.9
Central Bucks South	9-5	55.9	53.3	11-11	55.6	55.7
Central Bucks East	6-8	45.9	48.6	9-13	46.9	50.9
North Penn	5-9	55.8	56.8	8-14	53.5	55.8
Pennridge	5-9	57.1	60.1	11-11	59.5	56.0
Hatboro-Horsham	5-9	51.6	51.6	8-14	50.2	51.3
Quakertown	1-13	47.1	61.4	2-20	43.7	58.9

This Week
Tuesday
Central Bucks South 44, Hatboro-Horsham 41
Central Bucks West 65, Pennridge 58 (OT) STORY
Quakertown 52, Central Bucks East 49
Souderton 64, North Penn 59 STORY

Thursday
North Penn 68,Hatboro-Horsham 60 STORY

Friday
Central Bucks West 49, Central Bucks South 47 STORY
Pennridge 66, Quakertown 56 STORY
Souderton 59, Central Bucks East 46

Last Week
Monday
Souderton 44, Perkiomen Valley 33

Tuesday
Central Bucks West 55, Central Bucks East 36 STORY
North Penn 53, Central Bucks South 48
Pennridge 47, Hatboro-Horsham 44 STORY
Souderton 72, Quakertown 34

Wednesday
Pennridge 82, Upper Perkiomen 45

Thursday
North Penn 56, Pottsgrove 51 STORY

Friday
Central Bucks South 65, Central Bucks East 52
Central Bucks West 40, Hatboro-Horsham 40
North Penn 76, Quakertown 49 STORY
Pennridge 45, Souderton 42 STORY

Saturday
Hatboro-Horsham 56, Upper Moreland 55 STORY

SOL Continental Girls Basketball Standings

Through Feb. 10

Team	Conference	PF	PA	Overall	PF	PA
Central Bucks East	13-1	47.2	28.1	17-5	44.4	31.2
North Penn	11-3	52.2	31.1	17-5	51.0	33.3
Central Bucks West	10-4	56.4	37.6	16-6	54.6	38.7
Central Bucks South	9-5	46.5	32.7	14-8	44.7	37.0
Souderton	7-7	44.9	39.4	11-11	45.2	39.9
Pennridge	3-11	36.2	50.1	5-17	39.3	47.8
Hatboro-Horsham	3-11	43.5	57.6	6-16	43.6	57.4
Quakertown	0-14	17.7	66.7	1-21	21.0	60.2

This Week
Monday
Central Bucks South 68, Quakertown 18
Pennridge 43, Upper Perkiomen 31

Tuesday
Central Bucks East 61, Quakertown 6
Central Bucks South 53, Hatboro-Horsham 15
Central Bucks West 64, Pennridge 22
North Penn 61, Souderton 37 STORY

Thursday
Central Bucks West 46, Central Bucks South 45 STORY
North Penn 61, Hatboro-Horsham 26

Friday
Central Bucks East at Souderton 40 STORY
Pennridge 61, Quakertown 26 STORY

Last Week
Tuesday
Central Bucks East 51, Central Bucks West 43
Hatboro-Horsham 58, Pennridge 51
North Penn 32, Central Bucks South 23 STORY
Souderton 54, Quakertown 12

Wednesday
William Tennent 75, Hatboro-Horsham 44 STORY

Thursday
Wissahickon 50, Pennridge 43

Friday
Central Bucks East 47, Central Bucks South 26 STORY
Central Bucks West 80, Hatboro-Horsham 51
North Penn 64, Quakertown 8
Souderton 52, Pennridge 35 STORY

Saturday
Hatboro-Horsham 58, Upper Moreland 53
Methacton 52, Souderton 43

Scott Harnell scores, then fights

Saw this on Deadspin, but I don't know if I've seen a better example of the ethos of the Flyers then Scott Hartnell Thursday in the 4-3 win over the Maple Leafs. Score a goal, then drop the gloves.

The Reporter 2011 Best Sports Photos

With 2012 just a few days away, what better time to share some of the sights from last year's area sports scene.

From swim meets in January to American Legion baseball in the hot summer months to the North Penn football team reaching the state final in December, 2011 had its share of interesting and exciting moments. So, go ahead and look back at it in picture form.

Take Five: North Penn vs. Central Dauphin PIAA 4A Final

North Penn takes the field for their playoff contest against LaSalle. Photo by Mark C. Psoras

The North Penn football team looks for its second PIAA Class AAAA title in its history when it faces Central Dauphin in the state final 6 p.m. Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium. And if you're looking for a little info on both the Knights and Rams, you're in luck. Here's five facts on each team before their clash for the championship.

North Penn
1) North Penn is 13-2 and has won its last 12 games. The Knights have scored 32.6 points per game and have allowed 14.0 points per game. In its five postseason games, North Penn has scored 30.2 points per game and allowed 11.8 points per game.

2) This is Dick Beck’s 10th season as head coach of North Penn. He is 119-20 overall and 32-8 in the postseason.  The Knights have won six District One 4A titles under Beck – 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2011 – and one PIAA title (2003).

North Penn has reached double-digits in win totals in nine of Beck’s seasons. This is the fourth consecutive year the Knights have won at least 13 games.

3) The Knights are the first District One 4A team to reach the state final since Neshaminy lost to Pittsburgh Central Catholic 49-14 in 2004.

North Penn defeating Central Catholic 37-10 in the ’03 final was the last time a District One 4A school won states. The last time any district team won states was when Lansdale Catholic defeated Grove City 40-17 in the 2004 Class 2A final.

Garnet Valley is the last District One team to reach Hershey, the Jaguars fell to Thomas Jefferson 28-3 in the 2007 3A championship.

4) North Penn senior Ralph Reeves is scoring a touchdown on 37-percent of his runs this postseason, as the senior has found the end zone 10 times on 27 carries in the five playoffs games. The Knights’ defense, meanwhile, has allowed a total of eight touchdowns in the postseason.

5) North Penn is the third 4A team since 2005 to enter the state championship with two losses. In 2005, McKeesport entered the final 13-2 and defeated Bethlehem Liberty 49-10. State College went into the 2009 championship 12-2 and fell to La Salle 24-7.

Central Dauphin
1) Central Dauphin is 14-1 and has won its last 13 games. The Rams have scored 31.3 points per game and have allowed 14.4 points per game. In its five postseason games, Central Dauphin has scored 28.0 points per game and allowed 18.8 points per game.

2) The Rams’ only loss was to Bishop McDevitt of Harrisburg Week Two. McDevitt is playing Archbishop Wood in the state 3A final Friday.

3) This is Glen McNamee’s sixth season as coach of Central Dauphin. He is 57-18 overall and 10-5 in the postseason. The Rams’ District Three title this season was the first under McNamee and the first for the Rams since 2002.

Central Dauphin has improved on its win total in each of the last four seasons. The Rams went 7-4 in 2008, 9-3 in 2009, 10-3 last year and currently sits at 14-1 going into Saturday’s 4A final.

4) The Rams are the first District Three Class 4A team to make the state final since Lower Dauphin lost to Penn Hills 35-14 in 1995. The last 4A team from the district to win a state title was Cumberland Valley, who defeated Upper St. Clair in 28-12 in 1992.

5) Central Dauphin has won three of its past four games by three points. In the District Three quarters, the Rams beat Cedar Cliff 35-32, then topped Wilson-West Lawn in the district final 24-21. CD made it to Hershey by knocking off defending 4A champ North Allegheny 23-20 in the state semifinals.