On a two-game winning streak, Clarion returns home this Saturday to host Edinboro in a key PSAC-West contest at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1pm.
The game between Clarion and Edinboro can be heard on the Golden Eagle Football network, which includes WCCR-FM, 92.7 and WKQW-FM, 96.3 in Oil City, as well as on the internet at Redzonemedia.com with Mike Kalinowski providing the play by play and Joe Lodanosky offering color commentary.
The game will also be produced for television by the Sportsfever TV Network. The game will be replayed in its entirety on Monday, October 25th at 7pm on FSN-Pittsburgh.
FOSTER IN 5TH SEASON/ EAGLES 2-5 IN 2010
2009 EAGLES 8-3 – RANKED #8 IN SUPER REGION 1
Fifth year head coach Jay Foster has opened the 2010 season with a 2-5 overall record and an 2-2 mark in the PSAC-West against a very tough schedule. Clarion opened the year with a home loss to Fairmont State (27-16), traveled to highly regarded Bloomsburg and lost 41-13 and returned to Memorial Stadium to lose a 28-24 decision to Shippensburg. The Eagles opened PSAC-West play three weeks ago and led #4 Cal 7-3 at halftime, but lost the game 24-9 and two weeks lost the annual Homecoming game to Slippery Rock in the final minute 16-13. Two weeks ago the Eagles changed qb's and started red-shirt freshman Ben Fiscus. The result was a record setting performance by Fiscus in Clarion's 49-6 win at Lock Haven, and last week the Eagles toppled IUP on the road 21-14.
Clarion was 8-3 overall last year, 6-1 in the PSAC-West and finished the game on a 6-game winning streak. The Golden Eagles finished 2009 ranked 8th in the final NCAA Division II Super Region 1 Poll.
Foster, the 2009 PSAC-West “Coach of the Year”, has a record of 14-37 at Clarion.
EDINBORO IS 4-3; 2-2 IN 2010 UNDER SCOTT BROWNING
Edinboro enters the contest with a 4-3 overall record and a 2-2 mark in the rugged PSAC-Western Division. The Fighting Scots opened 2010 with three straight road wins, and especially impressive was the opening victory over West Liberty (20-19). The Scots also defeated West Chester (16-14) and Cheyney (27-21), before returning home to drop rival Gannon 13-0. The Scots then lost three straight including an 18-0 loss to IUP, a 28-14 loss at Slippery Rock and last week's 22-21 overtime thriller to Mercyhurst.
The Scots are led by Scott Browning, who is in his fifth year as head coach of the Scots, and has an overall record of 35-18. He led Edinboro last year to the NCAA D-II Playoffs and a record of 9-4 overall.
SERIES TIED 39-39-2 DATING BACK TO 1926
The series between the two schools is tied at 39-39-2 in games dating back to 1926. Clarion traveled to Edinboro last year and upset the #21 ranked Scots by a 30-17 margin. The Scots had won six straight meetings before 2009 – posting wins in 2008 (35-10), 2007 (49-30), 2006 (13-0), 2005 (44-0), 2004 (21-10) and 2003 (35-6). Prior to 2009, Clarion's last win was a 24-18 decision at Edinboro in 2002. In the last 16 games Edinboro has the edge by an 10-6 count. Clarion's six wins were in 1994 (24-20), 1997 (28-0), 1998 (33-20), 2000 (7-0), 2002 (24-18) and 2009 (30-17). The Fighting Scots 10 victories came in 1995 (28-6), 1996 (48-35), 1999 (30-29), 2001 (24-12), 2003 (35-6), 2004 (21-10), 2005 (44-0), 2006 (13-0), 2007 (49-30) and 2008 (35-10).
EAGLE “O” RANKED #8 IN TOTAL OFFENSE
The Clarion offense ranks #8 in the PSAC in total offense at 330.1 yards per game, including #6 in rushing offense (158.7 ypg) and #8 in pass offense (171.4 ypg). Clarion is #11 in scoring offense at 20.7 ppg.
Red-shirt freshman qb Ben Fiscus (Fr. Indiana) will make his third straight start this Saturday versus Edinboro. He rushed for 60 yards and 1 td, plus hit on 11 of 15 passes for 115 yards at IUP last week. Two weeks ago he was the PSAC-West Player of the Week after completing 16 of 16 passes for 187 yards and 4 td's, plus rushing for 78 yards and 1 td in the Eagles 49-6 win at Lock Haven. On the season Fiscus has completed 28 of 35 passes for 306 yards and 4 td's, while rushing for 331 yards and 3 td's. Sophomore qb Eric Coxon (Pgh- Brentwood) has completed 78 of 150 passes for 894 yards and 3 td's with 9 int's.
ALL-AMERICAN ALFONSO HOGGARD LEADS BACKFIELD
Senior all-purpose back Alfonso Hoggard (Phila. – Caravel Academy) is handling the pigskin all over the field. A Football Gazette Third Team All-American in 2009, a First Team All-Region choice and the PSAC-West “Offensive Player of the Year”, Hoggard is in his final campaign.
In 2010 he has 140 rushes for 606 yards and 5 td's, plus 10 catches for 93 yards. He was the PSAC-West Player of the Week vs IUP last Saturday after rushing for 179 yards and 2 td's on only 17 carries. He had td runs of 49 and 69 yards.
In 2009 Hoggard was #1 in the PSAC in rushing (1,046 yards – 104.6 p/g), rushing td's (17), overall td's (19), points scored (118) and all-purpose yards (1,798). His top games included 205 rushing yards against Slippery Rock, 292 all-purpose yards and 162 rushing yards against IUP, and a 4 touchdown day against Gannon including 3 rushing td's and an 87-yard kickoff return for a td.
Hoggard started his career as a receiver/all-purpose player and was a Second Team All-American in 2008 in that role. He latched onto 41 aerials for 472 yards and 2 td's, rushed for 180 yards on only 44 attempts, averaged 10.4 yards per punt return ((21 returns, 219 yards) and 23.1 yards per kickoff return. He was also the 2007 PSAC “Rookie of the Year”. In his career Hoggard has 1,911 on 421 carries with 23 td's. He ranks 9th in career rushing yards and 3rd in rushing td's. He also has 104 career catches for 1,156 yards and 6 td's. and has 5,652 all-purpose yards and 30 career td's.
Also expecting to see plenty of time in the backfield are John Fuhrer (So. Pgh. – Keystone Oaks) and LeVaughn Robinson (So. Pgh – Penn Hills)
ROBINSON, BUNNEY & WARD LEAD TALENTED RECEIVING CORPS
The Golden Eagles have an outstanding receiving corps returning in 2010 with All-Region performer Jacques Robinson (Sr. Pgh – Oliver), plus Craig Bunney (Sr. Ambridge) and Matt Ward (Jr. Franklin Regional) in the lineup.
Robinson has latched onto 35 passes for 439 yards and 3 td's this season. Robinson now holds the Clarion career record for catches at 198, surpassing former record holder Alvin Slaughter who had 195 from 1995-98. Robinson is 3rd at Clarion in career receiving yards with 2,338 . Terry McFetridge (1982-85 – 2,711) and Alvin Slaughter (1995-98 – 2,860) are still ahead of him. Jacques has 16 career td's.
Robinson, a second team FB Gazette Super Region 1 selection and a first team PSAC-West choice in 2009, was #2 in the PSAC last year in receptions with 70 catches for 819 yards and 5 td's. His 9 catches for 123 yards and 1 td in an all-day rain at Cal was an impressive display at his position.
In 2008 he was a third team Super Region 1 and an All PSAC-West selection while leading the PSAC's regular season receivers with 70 catches (3rd best at Clarion) for 849 yards and 8 td's.
Veteran starters ready to latch onto Fiscus' passes are Craig Bunney and Matt Ward. Ward set a personal high with 12 catches for 118 yards against Fairmont State. Those 12 catches were tied for third most in a single game in school history. Alvin Slaughter had 14 vs WC in 1998 and Don Hohman had 13 vs Edinboro in 1965. Ward has 21 grabs for 201 yards this season, while Bunney has 21 catches for 238 yards and 1 td.
Also looking to catch passes will be Tarrean Barrett (So. Scranton) and Rob Tantlinger (So. Franklin) at wideout, along with Anthony Becoate (Fr. McKeesport) at tight end. Becoate has 13 catches for 182 yards and 3 td's this season.
BAZZONE CENTERS VETERAN “O” LINE
Clarion's “O” line starts four linemen with starting experience and a host of talented players. Two year starting guard Vince Bazzone (Jr. 6-2, 280, McKeesport) has moved to center and will be leading the “O” line. He will be joined up front by three-year starter Danielson Gilbert (Sr. 6-5, 300, OG, Brockton, Mass.) and two year letterwinner and part-time starter Gerald Hudson (Sr. 6-3, 330, Aliquippa) at guard, with two-year starter Elijah Morres (Jr., 6-5, 280, OT, Brookville) at tackle.. Quality depth abounds in letterwinners Eli Rupert (So. 6-3, 275, Apollo Ridge) and Bob Beidl (Jr. 6-8, 300, Clarion), along with tackle Mike Felker (6-4, 275, Fr. Gibsonia).
CLARION DEFENSE #7 IN PSAC
Clarion's “D” in three weeks has gone from 16th in the PSAC to 7th in the league with some strong, consistent play. Clarion is 7th in total defense giving up 334.7 yards per game, including 175.9 (14th in PSAC) on the ground and 158.9 through the air (#4 in PSAC).
MAUND & MORRISON TOP D-LINE
Maund, an All PSAC-West lineman in 2009, has 32 hits and 9 tfl's, while Morrison has 27 tackles and 12 tfl's, with Dunn (9 hits) and Kusick (4 stops) alternating at noseguard. Tackle John Hackel (Jr. South Park), who has been outs since the Bloomsburg game with an injury, may also miss this week's game. Either Ryan Slack (7 stops, 3 tfl's) or Adam Bostick (7 tackles, 2 tfl's) could start.
FOX LEADS VETERAN LINEBACKING CORPS
Senior linebacker Joe Fox (Murrysville/Franklin Regional) leads consistent group of veteran linebackers in 2010. Fox, a three year starter and an All PSAC-West choice in 2009, has 41 hits and 4 tfl's this year.
Arminas Maciulis (Sr. Thomas Jefferson) has been starting at the other linebacker spot the last three weeks. Maciulis has 36 hits, 3 tfl's. Reggie Robinson (Jr. Pgh – Brashear), Steve Moyemont (Jr. Mt. Pleasant), and Mike Verdun (So. Greensburg C.C.) all will play.
Robinson has made 16 jolts with 3 tfl's and Moyemont has 7 hits.
ALL-AMERICAN SIPES ANCHORS SECONDARY
Senior strong safety and co-captain Nick Sipes (Curwensville) anchors a hard hitting secondary for the Golden Eagles. Sipes leads the team with 68 tackles and 9 tfl's in 2010. He was the PSAC-West Defensive Player of the Week last Saturday against IUP for posting 11 tackles, 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery and 1 sack.
Sipes was voted an HM FB Gazette All-American, a first team FB Gazette and Daktronics All-Region and first team PSAC-West choice after leading the Golden Eagles with 112 tackles plus 12 tfl's and 6 sacks in 2009. In 2007 he also posted 71 stops and 4 tfl's. In 2008 Nick played running back and rushed for 297 yards and 3 td's, plus caught 12 passes for 104 yards.
This week the secondary will have Chris Smeltzer (Sr. Red Lion) and freshman Jay Pettina (Indiana) at safety, along with Aaron Gluvna (So. Corry) and Matt Long (Fr. Pgh. North Catholic). Smeltzer has 33 tackles, Pettina 20 jolts, Gluvna 10 hits and Long 11 tackles. James Eckels, who started the first 4 games, has missed the last three with injury and will likely miss this week as well.
Wilson has 29 jolts and 2 tfl's in 2010. Last year he had 69 stops and 2 interceptions, returning one for a td against Fairmont. Paronish has 42 stops, Akins 17 hits and 1 int and Stimac 5 tackles.
MAMULA LEADS SPECIAL TEAMS
Senior placekicker Robert Mamula (Canon McMillan is 8 for 13 in field goals this season, including a 47-yarder against Fairmont. Last year he hit on 12 of 16 field goals and 25 of 28 PAT's. He also made 8 of 12 field goals in 2008 and in four seasons has booted 34 of 56 field goal tries. He has also made 74 of 82 PAT's and has 177 kicking points at Clarion. He is averaging 37.0 yards per punt.
EDINBORO OFFENSE AVERAGING 15.9 PPG IN 2010
The Edinboro offense is averaging 15.9 ppg (#14 in PSAC) this season and is #15 in total offense averaging 257.0 yards per game. The Scots are getting 109.3 rushing yards (#13 in PSAC) and 147.7 passing yards (#13 in PSAC) per game.
The offense is directed by red-shirt freshman qb Cody Harris. Brother of record-setting Scot qb Trevor Harris who has graduated, Cody has completed 103 of 164 passes (62.8%) for 1,034 yards and 6 td's with only 2 interceptions. He is also a running threat – gaining 154 yards and 2 td's this season.
The running game has three runners that are getting significant time. Drew Herrell started against Mercyhurst and had 96 yards and 1 td. He has 70 carries for 237 yards and 3 td's on the season. Michael Battles has 64 rushes for 190 yards and D'Andrea Vaughn has 45 carries for 187 yards and 3 td's.
Gary Nolen (30 catches, 252 yards, 2 td's) leads a quality receiving corps. Also grabbing passes are Josh Brown (18 grabs, 245 yards, 1 td), David Bostic (14 receptions, 149 yards, 1 td) and tight end Shawn Walker (13 catches, 113 yards).
EDINBORO “D” #8 IN TOTAL DEFENSE IN PSAC
Edinboro's defense has been strong in 2010 and ranks #8 in the entire PSAC in total defense yielding only 336.7 yards per game. Opponents are getting only 17.4 points per game (#5 in PSAC), along with 133.6 rushing yards per game (#7 in PSAC) and 203.1 passing yards (#13 in PSAC) per game.
The front wall is anchored by noseguard Matt Caternolo (23 hits, 3 tfl's), tackle Tyler Hersperger (13 tackles, 4 tfl's) and ends James Thomas (27 tackles, 11 tfl's, 5 sacks) and Keir Jeter (29 jolts, 6 tfl's).
Ryan Skelton (56 tackles, 4 tfl's) is second on the team in hits at linebacker, while teammates Jordan Krentz (13 stops) and Greg Sondag (41 hits) also defend the middle.
The secondary is led by top tackler Dan Skelton (59 stops, 3.5 tfl's, 3 int's) at strong safety. Also leading the way are free safety Ben Swank (30 tackles, 1 int) and corners James Jackson (25 jolts, 3 int's) and Kenny Pettis (38 tackles, 1 int.)
CLARION NOTES: Clarion is tradition rich in football ... 27 straight non-losing seasons from 1961-87, a 49-year (1961-09) record of 273-211-6 and 10 PSAC-West titles (1966, 67, 69, 77, 78, 80, 83, 92, 96 and 2000)…
CLARION – EDINBORO SERIES – Clarion won in 2009 30-17 – Upsetting the #21 ranked Scots … Edinboro held a 17-6 halftime lead – Boro QB Trevor Harris was knocked out of the game right before halftime due to a knee injury …. Clarion rallied in the third quarter on two Tyler Huether 1 yard runs to go ahead 20-17 … Then a safety with only 3:51 left in the fourth – and an Alfonso Hoggard 7-yard run with 1:39 remaining sealed the deal … Hoggard rushed for 99 yards and 1 td … Huether rushed for 91 yards and 2 td's, plus hit on 14 of 24 passes for 169 yards … Harris was 8 of 11 for 97 yards for Edinboro … Edinboro won in 2008 35-10 - Edinboro led 14-3 at halftime and scored twice in the third quarter to put the game away ... Huether completed 16 of 31 passes for 143 ... Harris completed 17 of 24 for 183 and 3 td's ... In 2007 at Edinboro on Sportsfever TV the Boro won 49-30 - but what a first half - Clarion led 4 times including its last lead of 23-21 in the second quarter ... Emmanuel, Hoggard and Pierre Odom scored first half td's and Nick Sipes booted a 21-yard field goal ... Edinboro roared back to take a 35-23 halftime lead ... The Eagles pulled to within 35-30 in the third, but Edinboro scored twice more to finish at 49-30 ... 914 yards of offense in the game - 344 for Clarion and 570 for the Boro ... Huether passed for 262 yards and 2 td;s ... Edinboro's Harris passed for 415 yards and 4 td's ... in 2006 Edinboro won 13-0 in a defensive struggle... Clarion missed a 42-yard field goal in the first quarter ... And had drives stopped in the red zone in the third and fourth quarters ... Huether was 9 for 26 for 119 yards ... Emmanuel rushed for only 23 yards on 8 carries ... Trevor Harris completed 11 of 21 passes for 118 yards ... Houston Brown rushed for 157 yards and 1 td ... In 2004 Clarion led 3-0 at halftime at Memorial Stadium, and it could have been more as Clarion traveled into Edinboro territory 5 times without getting a score... Kyle Snoke booted a 29-yard field goal late in the second ... Edinboro took the lead for good on an Andre Burke 1-yard run with 26-seconds left in the third, then scored on a Burke 21-yard run early in the fourth to pull away and win (21-10) ... Clarion had 169 yards of offense... Brandon Dando was 9 of 23 passing for 129 yards and 1 td... Bo Busch had 18 tackles and Matt Morris 14 to lead the defense... Burke ran for 173 yards on 40 carries with 3 td=s ... Bouch was 12 of 21 for 143 yards with 2 int=s ... In the 2002 game Clarion roared out to a 24-0 lead and then held on for a 24-18 win at Edinboro ... The final Eagle score was a 12 yard pass from Adam Almashy to Chad Thompson on a fake field goal early in the third quarter... Clarion rushed for 307 yards and passed for 31 ... Robert Walker had 116 on 14 carries, while Glenn Lovelace had 72 and 1 td on 7 tries (10.3 p/c)... Edinboro had 392 yards of offense including 184 rushing and 208 passing ... Alonzo Roebuck had 24 carries for 146 yards and 2 td=s ... Justin Bouch completed 6 of 12 passes for 104 yards in relief of Cam Marsh (10 of 27 - 104 yards)... Sean Hess had 6 catches for 96 yards ... In 2001 Edinboro won 24-12 at Sox Harrison Stadium ... Clarion=s Demetric Garnder scored on a 19-yard run but the PAT was blocked and Clarion led 6-0... The Boro scored 17 unanswered points before halftime to lead 17-6 and went on to the win ... Clarion rushed for 195 and passed for 147 for 342 yards ... Edinboro rushed for 189 and passed for 155 for 344 yards... In 2000 Clarion won 7-0... Tab Musser scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter and that score held up ... Clarion had 235 net yards to Edinboro's 152..
