Ninth year Clarion head coach Malen Luke announced today the Golden Eagles team captains for the 2002 season. They will be senior qb Adam Almashy, junior noseguard Troy Bowers, senior defensive lineman George O'Brien and senior offensive tackle Reggie Wells.

Clarion opens its 2002 football season on Thursday, August 29th at NCAA Division I-AA power Youngstown State. Kickoff at Stambaugh Stadium is set for 7:30pm. Youngstown is ranked 8th in the Sports Network pre-season poll and 9th by the Football Gazette.

"These four players will be excellent captains this season," said coach Malen Luke. "They are outstanding leaders both on and off the field and have the motivational qualities, playing maturity and ability to lead our team."

Almashy, a 6-2, 190-pound, senior, qb from Newton Falls, Ohio, is in his fourth year as starting qb and second as captain. In 2001 he passed for 1,173 yards and 8 td's, while running for 447 yards and 1 td. He was honored as a second team PSAC-West selection. In 2000 he completed 103 of 224 aerials for 1,700 yards and 16 td's. In his standout career he has completed 295 of 670 passes for 4,111 yards and 36 td's, while also running for 826 yards and 12 td's. He could become the first Clarion qb to run for 1,000 career yards. He is the son of Andrew and Joyce Almashy

Bowers, a 6-0, 285, junior, noseguard from Columbus, Ohio and Westerville South High, returns after sitting out the 2001 campaign. A first team PSAC-West choice in 2000, Troy led the PSAC with 20 tfl's for -77 yards and also added 8 qb sacks, 41 tackles and 1 fumble recovery. In two seasons he has totaled 74 hits, 12 sacks and 26 tfl's. He is the son of Deborah Bowers.

O'Brien, a 6-4, 250-pound, senior, defensive lineman from Abbottstown, Pa. and New Oxford High, has been a defensive leader and is in his second year as captain. In 2001 George posted 41 tackles, 9 tfl's, 2 qb sacks an 2 fumbles caused. In 2000 he had 8 tfl's and 4 qb sacks. In his career George has 76 tackles, 20 tfl's for -92 yards, 8 qb sacks and 3 fumbles caused. He is the son of George O'Brien and Annette Mummert.

Wells, a 6-4, 300-pound, senior, offensive tackle from Library, Pa. and South Park High, was a Football Gazette HM All-America choice and a first team East Region and PSAC-West selection in 2001. The Eagles rushed for 200 or more yards in 8 games last year. He is a 3 year letterwinner and the son of Reggie and Diane Wells. Father Reggie is a 1990 Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame Inductee.

CLARION NOTES: The Youngstown pre-game story will be released on Friday ... After YSU the Eagles will be off until September 14th when Clarion travels to Millersville ... The first home game is set for September 21st against Glenville State ... That will also be Family Day and kickoff is already set for 2pm.