Pennsbury Athletes Make College Commitments Official

Brandon Pepper, Jay Jabat, Kyle MacDonald and Morgan Perry each made their college commitments official at Pennsbury High School on Monday.

Pepper and Jabat both decided to further their football careers at West Chester University.

"There’s a couple other (Pennsbury) guys already there," Pepper said. "There’s another kid, Dante Devine, who went there last year. And then, there’s (Jackson) Fagan and Victor (Iturbides)."

As a quarterback, Pepper set the all-time rushing record at Pennsbury with 3,100 yards. The three-year starter was a two-time All-League selection by the Trentonian and the Bucks County Courier Times. He was named to the All-Southeastern Pennsylvania third team this past season.

"West Chester had my major, physical education," Pepper said. "I want to get into coaching."

Pepper chose West Chester over St. Francis and Wagner. He will play running back at the collegiate level.

The wide receiver Jabat ran track and played on the basketball team. Jabat, also a three-year starter in football, competed in the 2010 PTFCA Indoor State Championship at Penn State and the 2010 PIAA Track & Field State Championship at Shippensbury. The high jump is Jabat’s signature event.

Jabat talked about his favorite memory as a Falcon.

"My best memory at Pennsbury is probably beating Neshaminy in 2009 to win the league," Jabat said.

Jabat commented on the challenges he faces playing wide receiver at West Chester.

"At West Chester all they do is throw the ball," Jabat said. "It’s going to be a lot faster. It should be interesting. I’m excited about it."

Jabat chose West Chester over Temple, Robert Morris and Millersville.

MacDonald is headed to Penn State to play soccer.

The four-year starter helped Pennsbury win back-to-back SOL League Titles in 2008 and 2009. ESPN Rise named MacDonald as a top 40 player in Pennsylvania. He was an All-SOL First Team selection his senior season.

"My senior season here has been special," MacDonald said. "We took the program the furthest it’s ever been. We went to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs, ultimately losing to Hempfield who were the State Champions this season."

MacDonald started at the varsity level for four years. He delved into what his four years meant to him.

"Just the overall effect of my four years here, all the players that I’ve played with has sort of molded me into the way I played. I give a lot of credit to the coaches. Whenever I looked, they were always there. Whether it was in the hallways or out on the field. They had advice to give and guidance to provide," MacDonald said.

MacDonald explained why he chose Penn State over Lehigh, Lafayette and Pittsburgh.

"Academically, my major is architecture. They have a great program for that, and just the networking aspect is good," MacDonald said.

Perry, the track and cross-country star, will attend the University of Pittsburgh.

Perry, a member of Pennsbury’s State Champion Cross Country Team, won numerous awards including the Unsung Hero Award, Coach’s Award and was an All-SOL First Team selection.

Perry commented on winning the State Title.

"It was an amazing way to leave," Perry said. "It meant a lot to me. It was a goal that was in the spectrum last year, but we came in third. We all really wanted it."

All four signees all agreed that they wanted to be close enough for their parents to come see them play, but far enough to prevent the parents from knocking on their door on a daily basis.