Winning two of its last three games,Clarion's gridders visit Gannon this Saturday, October 30, to try and finish the 2010 season with a flurry. Kickoff is set for 1pm at Gannon's University Field.
The game between Clarion and Gannon 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.
FOSTER IN 5TH SEASON/ EAGLES 2-6/2-3 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 2-6 overall record and an 2-3 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 and led #4 ranked Cal 7-3 at halftime, but lost the game 24-9. A month ago Clarion lost the annual Homecoming game to Slippery Rock in the final minute 16-13, then three 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 two weeks ago the Eagles toppled IUP on the road 21-14. Last week Clarion lost a 31-14 decision at Memorial Stadium to Edinboro.
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 14-38 at Clarion.
GANNON IS 5-3; 3-2 IN 2010 UNDER JIM KIERNAN
Gannon enters the contest with a 5-3 overall record and an impressive 3-2 mark in the rugged PSAC-Western Division. The Golden Knights opened 2010 with wins over Lake Erie (26-20) and Shippensburg (22-19), before dropping two straight against Millersville (29-26) and Edinboro (13-0). The Knights rallied in the fourth quarter for a 14-10 win over Mercyhurst, lost 34-7 to California, then defeated Lock Haven (42-7) and IUP (45-17).
The Knights are led by fourth year head coach Jim Kiernan. Last year Gannon finished strong and posted a 6-5 overall record including a big 10-7 overtime win over Bloomsburg in the 2009 season finale. Kiernan opened with back to back 1-10 seasons, and has a career record entering the game of 13-28.
CLARION – GANNON SERIES TIED 1-1
Both games in this series, that started in 2008, have been very exciting. Last year Clarion won at Memorial Stadium 42-21 behind a 4-td performance from
Alfonso Hoggard. In 2008 Gannon defeated Clarion 31-24 that wasn't decided until the game's final play. Clarion trailed 31-24 late in the game, but had the pigskin on the Gannon 26-yard line with only 15-seconds remaining. The Golden Eagles took 4 shots into the endzone, but all failed and Gannon held on for the win.
EAGLE “O” RANKED #9 IN TOTAL OFFENSE
The Clarion offense ranks #9 in the PSAC in total offense at 323.4 yards per game, including #8 in rushing offense (151.5 ypg) and #9 in pass offense (171.9 ypg). Clarion is #12 in scoring offense at 19.9 ppg.
Red-shirt freshman qb Ben Fiscus (Fr. Indiana) will make his fourth straight start this Saturday against Gannon. He was the PSAC-West Player of the Week against Lock Haven 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 42 of 73 passes for 481 yards and 6 td's, while rushing for 401 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 150 rushes for 637 yards and 5 td's, plus 12 catches for 93 yards. He was the PSAC-West Player of the Week vs IUP 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 1,942 on 431 carries with 23 td's. He ranks 9th in career rushing yards and 3rd in rushing td's. He also has 106 career catches for 1,156 yards and 6 td's. He has 5,686 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 36 passes for 451 yards and 3 td's this season. Robinson now holds the Clarion career record for catches at 199, surpassing former record holder Alvin Slaughter who had 195 from 1995-98. Robinson is 3rd at Clarion in career receiving yards with 2,350 . 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 26 grabs for 264 yards and 1 td this season, while Bunney has 24 catches for 308 yards and 2 td's.
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 #8 IN PSAC
Clarion's “D” in four weeks has gone from 16th in the PSAC to 8th in the league with some strong, consistent play. Clarion is 8th in total defense giving up 342.6 yards per game, including 174.6 (12th in PSAC) on the ground and 168 through the air (#3 in PSAC).
MAUND & MORRISON TOP D-LINE
Maund, an All PSAC-West lineman in 2009, has 37 hits and 10 tfl's, while Morrison has 29 tackles and 13 tfl's, with Dunn (12 hits) and Kusick (5 stops) alternating at noseguard. Tackle John Hackel (Jr. South Park), who has been outs since the Bloomsburg game with an injury, will be out the remainder of the season. Either Ryan Slack (8 stops, 4 tfl's) or Adam Bostick (9 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 47 hits and 5 tfl's this year.
Arminas Maciulis (Sr. Thomas Jefferson) has been starting at the other linebacker spot and has 45 tackles, 3 tfl's and 1 sack. Reggie Robinson (Jr. Pgh – Brashear), Steve Moyemont (Jr. Mt. Pleasant), and Mike Verdun (So. Greensburg C.C.) all will play.
Robinson has made 17 jolts with 4 tfl's and Moyemont has 12 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 78 tackles and 9 tfl's in 2010. He was the PSAC-West Defensive Player of the Week 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 37 tackles, Pettina 28 jolts, Gluvna 14 hits and Long 14 tackles. James Eckels, who started the first 4 games, has missed the last four with injury and will likely miss this week as well.
Wilson has 32 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 44 stops, Akins 20 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 76 of 84 PAT's and has 179 kicking points at Clarion. He is averaging 37.1 yards per punt.
GANNON OFFENSE AVERAGING 22.8 PPG IN 2010
The Gannon offense is averaging 22.8 ppg (#10 in PSAC) this season and is #13 in total offense averaging 290.1 yards per game. The Knights are getting 133.1 rushing yards (#11 in PSAC) and 157 passing yards (#11 in PSAC) per game.
The offense is directed by senior quarterback Zach Boedicker, who has hit on 77 of 148 passes for 1,159 yards and 9 td's. He is also a quality runner and has 361 yards and 5 td's on 119 carries.
Anchoring the running game is Tyler Batts, who has 589 yards and 5 td's on 146 carries this season. He is averaging 4.0 yards per carry.
The receiving corps will be led by wideouts Levar Goff (20 catches, 208 yards, 2 td's), Geoff Hicks (12 grabs, 316 yards, 2 td's), Khalid Walker (10 receptions, 128 yards, 1 td) and Jerry Smith (10 grabs, 121 yards, 1 td). Batts also contributed 17 catches for 123 yards from his running back spot.
GANNON RANKED #6 IN TOTAL DEFENSE IN PSAC
Gannon's defense has been strong in 2010 and ranks #6 in the entire PSAC in total defense yielding only 309 yards per game. Opponents are getting only 18.6 points per game (#6 in PSAC), along with 127.2 rushing yards per game (#6 in PSAC) and 181.8 passing yards (#8 in PSAC) per game.
The defensive front is anchored by tackles Ian Jeffers (27 tackles, 5 tfl's) and Randy Colling (40 stops, 7 tfl's, 6 sacks), and ends Cory Borden (21 hits, 4.5 tfl's) and Matt Jones (29 hits, 4.5 tfl's).
Leading the linebacking corps are Kevin Minor (49 tackles, 7.5 tfl's, 3 int's), Keith Yager (49 stops, 6.5 tfl's) and Parris Williams (45 tackles, 5.5 tfl's).
Matthew Neal-Mink (65 hits, 6.5 tfl's) leads the team in tackles from his strong safety position, while free safety Chris Cook (46 jolts, 1 int) and corners Connor Kimball (4 int's) and Jon Hardy (10 tackles) lead the secondary.
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 – GANNON SERIES: Clarion won the 2009 game 42-21 … Clarion outgained Gannon 365-355 …Clarion outrushed Gannon 217-120, but Gannon won the air war 235-148 … It was Clarion's
Alfonso Hoggard who made the difference… He rushed for 134 yards and 3 td's on runs of 7, 1 and 41 yards … He also returned a kickoff 87-yards for a td on his way to 257 yards of total offense…
Jacques Robinson grabbed 9 passes for 83 yards and
Tyler Huether completed 15 of 22 for 148 yards … Gannon's Jon Richardson rushed for 68 yards and 1 td … qb Zach Boedicker completed 13 of 23 passes for 134 yards and 1 td …
Gannon won the 2008 game at Gannon 31-24 … The Knights outgained Clarion 309-247... The Eagles outdistanced Gannon in passing 208-175, but Gannon won the ground war 134-39... Clarion qb Gino Rometo completed 20 of 40 for 208 yards and 2 td's ... Hoggard grabbed 9 passes for 59 yards and 1 td, with
Jacques Robinson getting 5 catches for 45 yards and 1 score... Boedicker was 4 of 9 for 94 yards, and Richardson rushed for 83 yards and 2 td's... Gannon led 28-10 in the third quarter when Clarion defensive end
John Hackel scooped up a Gannon fumble and raced 46-yards for a Clarion td to make in 28-17... After Gannon kicked a field goal to make it 31-17, The Eagles cut the lead to 31-24 when Rometo hit
Jacques Robinson for 20-yards and a td with 5:10 remaining in the game ... Clarion had their next drive stopped at the Gannon 21 on downs, then got the ball back with 44-seconds left and drove again into scoring position... A 33-yard pass from Rometo to
Matt Foradora to the Gannon 26 had Clarion with a first down with about 15 seconds left.... Rometo lofted four passes into the endzone, the final one as time ran out, and Gannon defended all four to preserve the win.
