MANCHESTER – Township high school football players were recently featured on the Walk the Talk Sports Podcast ahead of their 2025 season and enjoyed some food at a local eatery.
It was a hot Tuesday afternoon in August, but the energy level at Hangar 21 Restaurant & Pizzeria in Lakehurst felt like the community was ready for a crisp autumn Friday night of football under the lights.
Guests were welcomed with a preview of the 2025 Manchester Hawks football schedule and plates of food from Hangar 21’s owner and chef Sal.
Residents from Leisure Village West (LVW) assembled as the live audience for a podcast episode celebrating the upcoming season and showcasing the strong bond between the Manchester-Lakehurst community and its schools.
The taping of Walk the Talk, a podcast created by and for the Leisure Village West community, is hosted by LVW residents Alex Peck and Rob Lombardo. Their show has grown in popularity and drew a full house that afternoon for an exclusive football season preview featuring Manchester Township High School Head Coach Tommy Farrell and team captains Mike Fink and Miguel Espinal.
The conversation highlighted not only the Hawks’ preparation for the season but also the students’ ongoing community involvement, most recently through the Technology 101 initiative, which recently earned front-page coverage in The Manchester Times.
Many of those present noted the connection between MTHS students and the entire Manchester community remains as strong as ever.
This year’s team mantra is IOE: Integrity Over Ego. Coach Farrell emphasized his player-centered, community-first philosophy, where leadership is earned through service and humility.
Farrell remarked, “the price of being successful is accepting the challenge of our new division. If we want to be respected in the B-South, we have to earn it. Last year’s championship is in the rearview mirror. We want to play the best to become the best.”
Captains Fink and Espinal echoed this mindset. Fink said, “football is more than just a game here in Manchester because of Coach Farrell. He teaches us resilience and brotherhood. We know there’s no substitute for hard work,” Espinal added.
The MTHS Hawks will kick off their season on August 28 at 5 p.m. at Manchester Township High School. School District Public Information Officer Dina Silvestri said, “the community is strongly urged to show up, cheer loud, and be part of something special.”
“Many neighborhoods and communities are already planning group meetups at the games, and the team feels every bit of the energy and support. Thank you for standing with our players. Your spirit makes a difference for every sport, and every game,” she added.
