ATHLETICS: Staley Named Player of the Week

Damani Staley (left) and 
Coach Perry Parks at the 
Columbia Touchdown Club

Blazer junior Damani Staley is the son of Duce Staley, former star running back for Airport H.S., the University of South Carolina, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers. The younger Staley has become a star in his own right as a defensive lineman on the now 3-2 Blazer football team. On Thursday morning, Staley was recognized by the Columbia Touchdown Club as its Defensive Player of the Week. Later that evening, he helped the Blazers defeat the South Florence Bruins 29-14. Staley led a stifling Blazers "D", which held the Bruins to 40 total yards in the first half, and 80 yards total passing in the game, way off their season average of 383. Staley had three sacks in the game, and now has 9 on the season, which is tops in the midlands.