October 6, 2007
(CLARION, PA.): Shippensburg fullback Aaron Dykes rushed for 114 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead the Red Raiders to a 41-23 win over Clarion on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
Shippensburg raised its overall record to 1-5 and are now 1-1 in the PSAC-West, while Clarion dropped to 0-6 overall and 0-2 in the PSAC-West.
The Clarion Homecoming Day crowd watched the Golden Eagles jump to a 7-0 lead with 17-seconds left in the first quarter. Running back Eddie Emmanuel rushed from the 7 to the 1, fumbled the ball and wide receiver Pierre Odom recovered in the endzone for the touchdown. Robert Mamula's PAT made it 7-0.
Clarion's opening touchdown was set up by a nifty interception by senior linebacker Kyle Cathcart (Clarion). With Shippensburg driving, Cathcart intercepted a Chad DiFebbo pass over the middle at the Clarion 11, and with some nice running, returned the ball down the right sideline for 61 yards to the Raider 28.
After getting two first downs to the Shipp 7, starting qb Tyler Huether handed off to Emmanuel who carried to the one, spun towards the endzone, but lost the handle on the football and Odom recovered in the endzone.
Early in the second quarter ship's Howard Chavous returned a Clarion punt 29-yards to the Eagle 36 giving the Raiders great field position. Shipp's Aaron Dykes capped the drive with a 1-yard td run and with 10:17 left in the second, the Raiders tied the game at 7-7.
Clarion had a chance to take the lead on their next possession, driving to the Shipp30-yard line. The drive stalled and Mamula lined up for a 47-yard field goal attempt, but the kick was blocked by Dee Wolford at the line of scrimmage.
Shipp punted the Golden Eagles deep in their own territory and forced a punt from the Clarion 3. Howard Chavous returned the punt 10 yards to the Clarion 31 and again the Raiders had a short field to operate.
Dykes again scored on a 3-yard run with only 2:34 left before intermission to give the Raiders the lead for good at 14-7.
The Raiders then broke the game open with a 73-yard, 7-play drive that culminated in a 20 yard td pass from Gabe Maiocco to Mike Harris and a 21-7 Shippensburg lead with only 42-seconds left before halftime.
The Raiders scored 10, third quarter points to take a 31-7 lead before Clarion dented the scoreboard again.
Early in the fourth quarter Clarion backup qb Gino Rometo (Fr. Plum) completed a perfectly lofted long pass to Fred Robinson behind the Shippensburg secondary culminating in a 78-yard td pass. Mamula's PAT made it 31-13 with 12:43 left in the fourth and the Golden eagles had visions of a comeback.
Any hopes of that Clarion comeback were dashed with 10:30 left in the game when Dykes scored on a 1-yard run and a Raider 38-13 lead.
Shipp's Jamie Reeder added a 45-yard field goal for Shipp to finish the Raider scoring.
Clarion kicker Robert Mamula booted a 28-yard field goal and qb Rometo added a 1-yard touchdown run to make the final 41-23.
Clarion totaled 316 yards of offense including 58 rushing and 258 passing. Rometo completed 17 of 26 for 226 yards and 1 td. Alfonso Hoggard caught 7 passes for 84 yards and Herb Carraway grabbed 7 for 53. Robinson had the one catch for 78 yards and a td. Eddie Emmanuel rushed 20 times for only 62 yards.
Quintyn Brazil led the Clarion defense with 12 tackles and 1 break-up, while Dane Williams had 9 stops. Cathcart meanwhile had 6 tackles, 2 tfl's, and 1 interception.
Shippensburg totaled 444 yards of offense including 296 rushing and 148 passing. Dykes carried 15 times for 114 yards and 3 td's, while Dave Richards had 10 carries for 92 yards and 1 score. Maiocco completed 10 of 17 for 129 yards and 2 td.
Clarion travels to Slippery Rock next Saturday for a 2pm game, while Shippensburg at Millersville for a 1pm game.
