The Observer Weekly Cloverleaf Inside and Out February 1, 2013 Setting the Stage for the Battle in By Freddy Wells very good career, but I don’t think Denver team, but the Ravens took There is only one game remain- he will have near the career that advantage of every opportunity ing in the 2012-2013 NFL season, has had,” said junior and ended up beating the Broncos The , the greatest foot- Jacob Scott. in double overtime. Next, the Ra- ball game in America where over Lewis will be trying to stop Ka- vens played the Patriots led by 150 million people tune in to epernick from doing just that. Brady. The Patriots played the watch the excitement. The game is Lewis is playing in the last game Ravens tough, but the loss of Rob the most watched television pro- of his illustrious 16-year career. Grokowski really hurt the Pats. gram each year, and for good rea- Lewis will be looking for his sec- Flacco outdueled Brady in the vic- son. This is the 47th (XLVII) edi- ond Super Bowl victory, while his tory, landing him and the Balti- tion of the big game, and it looks teammate, and Ravens’ quarter- more Ravens in the Super Bowl. to be as good of a game as ever. back is making his first The 49ers had just as hard of a The game features the top teams Super Bowl appearance. Flacco is time making it to the big game. from the AFC and NFC each year. no stranger to success, making the The 49ers won their division as From the AFC, the Ra- playoffs in every season of his well and came into the playoffs vens will be led by future Hall of NFL career. With a win, Flacco with a . A week later they Fame , who should be viewed as an elite quar- played against and is playing in his last game of a terback in the NFL. the . The Pack- spectacular career. The NFC will From the view of the fans, the ers were no match for Kaepernick be represented by the San Fran- seems to be a and 49ers as the Packers were cisco 49ers, with their shutdown slight favorite in the game, but crushed. Next, the 49ers played in defense and rookie playmaking many fans are rooting for the Bal- where the Falcons took an Collin Kaepernick, timore Ravens to win and end Ray early 14-0 lead, but the 49ers did who took over for late Lewis’s career with a Super Bowl not give up and won the game 28- in the season after Smith suffered victory. 24 which landed them in the Super a concussion. “I am normally a Steelers fan Bowl. Collin Kaepernick’s story is very rooting against the Ravens, but in “I thought the 49ers were going similar to that of one of the great- this game, I want the Ravens to to win the Super Bowl from the est in NFL history, win because I want Ray Lewis to beginning of the season because Tom Brady. Brady took over for end his career with a win,” said of their shutdown defense, but the injured Drew Bledsoe during junior Tim Romanotto. now that they have Collin Kaeper- the 2001 season and led the Patri- Neither team has had an easy nick they will kill the Ravens,” ots through the playoffs, and to a road to the Super Bowl. The Balti- said junior Jack Dean. Super Bowl victory. Kaepernick is more Ravens won the AFC North No matter who ends up the win- having a very similar season. Now with little difficulty and then ner of Super Bowl XLVII, history all he has to do is win the big started the playoffs with a rather will be made. Whether it’s a Super game to match what Brady did in easy win against the Bowl win for a rookie quarterback his first season as an NFL quarter- Colts. Next, they played host to to start a possible wonderful ca- back. the led by Peyton reer, or a Super Bowl win to end “I think Kaepernick is a great Manning. Very few people gave the career of arguably the best quarterback and should have a the Ravens a chance against a hot middle linebacker in NFL history.

Volume 6, Issue 23 2 Features Technology Leads to Relationship Downfalls By Candace DuBetz Technology is a convenient way to receive information. For exam- ple, Facebook. Your friend got a new job, yay! Your friend is mov- ing far away, boo! And that girl you hate just wrote on your boy- friend’s wall – she did what?! Technology also has many negatives, especially involving relationships. Adults continuously tell teens stories about what it was like when they were younger. This includes how they had to knock on their door and ask the person they liked if they wanted to hang out, and if they didn’t like you back, they told you no– face- to-face. Now, if someone wants to show you they don’t like you, they simply won’t text you back. iPhone has a setting where you can see if someone has opened your text or not. “I don’t like when people ig- nore my texts because it makes me go a little crazy wondering The iPhone, and other Smart phones, allow for fast communication through texting and what they’re doing to not text sometimes can confuse things. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons back, and it makes me feel like they don’t care about me or what Matt Geig. ber the things you’ve said in a I have to say. When I get my This leads the person to think text for the rest of their lives, but iPhone, it is not going to help “Who is he/she texting?” or a heart-to-heart conversation will with that situation at all,” said “Why is this person more impor- be easily memorable. senior Garret Norris. tant than me?” or more impor- “I would much rather have a It is common for people now to tantly, “Why won’t he/she let me conversation because it’s real. get frustrated because their sig- see their phone, what are they The other person doesn’t have nificant other isn’t spending qual- hiding?” time to sit there and edit what ity time with them because “Technology has made it easier they’re going to say, they just they’re too busy being entertained for people to hide things from have to say what first comes out, by someone or something else via others, especially in relationships and what they really feel. You text message and . and it leads to major trust issues can remember the words spoken, “Well, I guess it gets kind of for sure,” said junior Matt and the expressions and emotions annoying just because I want to Vespucci. you were feeling,” said junior see my girlfriend and get that one Conversations are much more Kaylee Gutschow. -on-one time with her, but some- memorable and meaningful in Overall, most people agree that times her phone seems to be more friendships and relationships. technology has contributed to important than me,” said junior Chances are people won’t remem- downfalls in their relationships.

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Advisor The Weekly Observer Tricia Rice Tyler Mayfield Mr. John Carmigiano Features 3 Quiz & Giving to Save Lives Quotes By Emily Civittolo Many people struggle with the deci- Today is the American Heart Associa- sion of whether or not they will give Who Will Win tion’s National Wear Red Day. To ac- blood because there are so many fac- The Super company National Wear Red Day, Clo- tors that have to be considered. verleaf High School will be hosting a Sophomore Carragan Deeks still does Bowl and blood drive on Feb. 5 to give students not know what she will be doing on Why? and staff the opportunity to donate blood. Feb. 5. Mrs. Julie Krueger and Student Council “I don’t know if I will give blood - will be putting on the blood drive and maybe - but I do think that it is a good holding sign-ups until Monday. Student thing to do; I think it is very important Council will be volunteering in the Rec to help others and this is a good way to

Center to help and support the people do it,” Deeks said. giving blood. Although she may decide against it There is a lot to know about the blood this time, Deeks thinks it would be a Rebecca Forcier drive and Krueger is eager to get the in- good thing to donate blood at some (9) - “The 49ers formation out. It is very important to point in her life. have been really know all of the facts about giving blood “If I don’t do it this time, I will defi- good this year!” before you decide to give a donation. nitely keep considering it in the future. “To be able to give blood, you have to I would like to do it at least once in my meet age and weight requirements. You life,” said Deeks. have to be at least 16 years old and Krueger would like to let the students weigh 110 pounds,” says Krueger. know that if they give blood that they There are also other factors that have to are eligible to win a scholarship. be considered before making the decision “If the blood drive can collect at least Jared Talmon to give blood. 50 good pints of blood, there is a $500 (10) - “Baltimore Most find it difficult to donate if they scholarship that the school could win,” will win. There is are currently playing a sport because af- said Krueger. no doubt.” ter donating blood, you cannot be in- If you meet all of the requirements, volved in any physical activity for about check out the sign-up table at lunch, 24 hours. It is also very important to and consider donating blood on Tues- have a healthy, filling breakfast, and to day. stay hydrated throughout the day of the blood drive.

Allison Fazio (12) - “I like the Ravens in this one!”

Vanessa Rivera (9)- “I don’t like either one of them.” Most students just relax and hang out while giving the blood. Photo Courtesy By Talyah Fogle of Wikipedia Commons

February 1, 2013 All Star Games Lead to Big One By Shannon Mohney the . Left Joe kickoff, he ran to the ball, While New Orleans is preparing Thomas returned for his sixth ap- switched direction, headed to the to host Super Bowl XLVII, there pearance in the Pro Bowl, wide ball again, turned around and have been some other games hap- receiver and kick returner Josh kicked the ball with his back heel. pening around the country. Cribbs returned to for his “’s backwards kick On Jan. 27, in third Pro Bowl, and Phil Dawson, was pretty sweet; I didn’t see it , Hawaii hosted the an- the last player from the Cleveland coming at all,” says Cody Woo- nual Pro Bowl. The Pro Bowl is Browns 1999 team, was wel- ley. where the best of the best come comed to Honolulu for his first Another game played last week- together and play a friendly game Pro Bowl appearance. end was the Senior Bowl on Jan. of football. This game is not During the game, the Browns 26. The special thing about that really a fan favorite to watch be- players had few touches on the game is that it had a Cloverleaf cause none of the players partici- ball. Thomas played almost every graduate playing in it. Current pate to their full abilities. , protecting quarterbacks Harvard student is ”I don’t really watch the Pro and Andrew that graduate. Juszczyk played in Bowl because it looks like a flag Luck. Cribbs had two kick returns most of the game as a running football game; everyone is scared for over 25 yards, while every back and blocker for his quarter- they will get hurt and jeopardize other kick sailed out of the end back. Kyle is expected to be in their careers,” explains junior zone. Later on in the game, the 2013 NFL . Emily Civittolo. Cribbs caught a four-yard pass While two featured games have On the other hand, some people that was good for a . been played in the past week, the love to watch some of their favor- Dawson kicked some extra most important NFL game is ite players come together in one points for the AFC. At the end of coming soon. The battle of the game. the fourth quarter, when the score Harbaugh brothers is going to be Only three players from the didn’t matter anymore, he tried a played on Sunday between the participated in special trick kick. During the Ravens and 49ers, and it should be a good one! End of the Road...For Some By Tim Romanotto & Jessie “It is very depressing to the NFL by the time the game starts be- Pincombe that these two great players are cause Baltimore is fired up. On Feb. 3, 2013, a date with leaving the game and they shall Kickoff is set for 6:29 p.m. on destiny will take place as Super be missed,” Brandt Buckholz Sunday in the Super Dome down Bowl 47 gets on the way. The said. in New Orleans. two teams that will be competing Baltimore has been on the hot- “I want the 49ers to win because for the Lombardi Trophy consist test streak in the NFL throughout they had their shot last year and of the from the the whole post season. The 49ers lost it. Now, this is their year for AFC North, and the San Fran- will have their hands full, but redemption. Also, Ray Lewis is- cisco 49ers from the NFC West. they will be able to fight back for n’t the only one playing his last This will be Ray Lewis’ last the streak they have had too. game, may be too. game in the NFL, as the future Not only is it the Super Bowl, Lets go 9ers,” senior Ian Furillo Hall of Fame linebacker an- but it is the Harbough Bowl, due exclaimed. nounced his retirement after this to the head coaches being broth- This will be a great game and season. Rumors surround that Ed ers. many are excited to see how the Reed may also be retiring after San Francisco is the favored game turns out. the Super Bowl. team to win, but that may change

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