Earning playing time on a varsity team as a freshman is no small task — but starring on one is something even more impressive. Several Penn rookies stepped up to the plate in this regard — but which one had the best season? A trio of DP Sports' finest debate.

On a frigid night in West Point, New York, Penn sprint football fell to Army 10-0 in the inaugural Collegiate Sprint Football League Championship. The Quakers (6-2, 4-0 CSFL South) were shut out for the first time since 2011, while the Black Knights (8-0, 3-0 CSFL North) claimed their 35th league title and 18th perfect season.

Six weeks ago, the Quakers (6-1, 4-0 South) were defeated 24-14 on its home turf by the Army Black Knights, a game that, at the time, was a devastating blow to the Red and Blue. But this Friday night, Penn has the opportunity to return the favor and defend its 2016 CSFL title, as the two teams will once again square off, this time in West Point.

For Penn sprint football's seniors, Friday was a night to remember. In their final regular season game, the Quakers took down Mansfield by a score of 35-13. The game also doubled as Senior Night, as Penn (6-1, 4-0 CSFL South) honored each of its nine seniors before kickoff. 

Penn sprint football will take on the undefeated Army Black Knights in the Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL) Championship game on Friday, Nov 10 — a showdown that is sure to be epic. Before they get too ahead of themselves, though, the Quakers (5-1) must face off against Mansfield this Friday night at Franklin Field.

But I do think we can always try to do more in our everyday lives to just be kind to one another. It doesn’t cost any time or energy to smile at the person walking into Van Pelt as you’re walking out. No one will ever be worse off if you tell your friends you love them just a little more often. Ask a friend how they’re doing. You may not know it, but that person might breathe a whole lot easier because of you.

For a number of former Penn student-athletes, however, the most difficult move of their lives often ends up being the most necessary one. And while starting their next chapters after leaving Penn varsity teams provides former Quakers with major fulfillments in their own right, the sports world’s unique thrills of competition, triumphs and camaraderie often prove difficult to replace.

This one had it all—four first half turnovers, two blocked punts, two missed field goals, and injuries to junior running back Jake Klaus and junior wide receiver Aiden Kelly. But through it all, Penn sprint football punched its ticket to the Collegiate Sprint Football League championship, defeating Navy 28-23.

This Friday, the Quakers heads to Annapolis, Md. to take on Navy in the de facto CSFL South Division championship game. The Quakers (4-1, 2-0 South) and the Midshipmen (5-1, 2-0) are the only teams that are mathematically still in the hunt for the division title and a chance to face Army in the CSFL title game.

After hearing of his admission to Penn in December of his senior year in high school, Karam immediately began to lose weight in order to be able to suit up for the Quakers. In the Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL), all players are required to weigh under 178 pounds in order to be eligible to play. 

Taking care of business. That’s what the Quakers’ sprint football team had in mind Friday night, and that’s exactly what they did with a 42-7 victory over the Post Eagles.

Coming off a bye week, the well-rested Quakers will look to start the second half of their Collegiate Sprint Football League season on a positive note when they take on winless Post under the Friday night lights of Franklin Field.

As we hit the midpoint of the semester, all of Penn Athletics' fall teams now have their seasons underway. Many players have stood out with strong starts to their campaigns, but who has been the MVP thus far? Our editors tackle the question below.

Saying Penn sprint football's Eddie Jenkins had a bounce-back performance is a gross understatement.

After struggling mightily offensively against Army last week, Penn sprint football bounced back against Cornell in a commanding 45-14 win.

Penalties, turnovers and a missed field goal were a few of the many miscues that doomed Penn in a 24-14 defeat at home against Army.

Penn sprint football has had perhaps the strongest alumni presence in the program out of any Penn Athletics team. The alumni culture around the team is that of a family — no matter how far life takes them, everyone stays involved in one way or another.