Clarion head coach
Jay Foster and his Golden Eagles have won three of their last four games, but the Eagles will be put to the test this Saturday as Clarion travels to #21 ranked Mercyhurst for a PSAC-West showdown. Kickoff at Mercyhurst's Tullio Field is set for Noon.
A win for Mercyhurst would give the Lakers at least a tie for first in the PSAC-West with Cal, and since the Lakers defeated Cal two weeks ago, they would get the #1 seed and a berth in the PSAC Championship Game. A win for Clarion would guarantee its second straight winning record in the PSAC-West.
The game between Clarion and Mercyhurst 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 3-6/3-3 IN 2010
2009 EAGLES 8-3 – RANKED #8 IN SUPER REGION 1
Fifth year head coach
Jay Foster opened the 2010 season with an 0-5 record, put since then the Eagles have rallied for three wins in four games and currently have a 3-6 overall record and a 3-3 mark in the PSAC-Western Division. 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. Clarion lost the annual Homecoming game to Slippery Rock in the final minute 16-13, then 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, along with a 21-14 road win at IUP. Two weeks ago Clarion lost a 31-14 decision at Memorial Stadium to Edinboro, but rallied last Saturday for a big 11-10 win at Gannon.
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 15-38 at Clarion.
MERCYHURST IS 7-2; 5-1 IN 2010 UNDER MARTY SCHAETZLE
#21 ranked Mercyhurst enters the contest with a 7-2 overall record and an impressive 5-1 mark in the rugged PSAC-Western Division. Mercyhurst is also ranked third in Super Region 1. The Lakers opened the season with 6 of its first 7 games on the road. Mercyhurst won the opener at Notre Dame (Oh.) 23-0, lost at Kutztown (35-14), won at C.W. Post (28-20), defeated Lock Haven 41-0 at Tullio Field, then lost at rival Gannon 14-10. Since then the Lakers have been on a roll winning at IUP (28-27), and at Edinboro in overtime (22-21), then returned home to defeat #3 rated California 31-21 and Slippery Rock 21-13.
Schaetzle is in his ninth year at Mercyhurst and has put together a record of 39-56 overall. Since joining the PSAC three years ago, Schaetzle is 18-13 overall and 13-7 in the PSAC-West. Prior to joining the PSAC the Lakers played in the rugged GLIAC the first 6 years of his tenure. Schaetzle came to Mercyhurst from Div. I-AA Bucknell where he was the offensive coordinator.
CLARION - MERCYHURST SERIES TIED 1-1
Clarion won last year's game 29-25, rallying from a 25-17 fourth quarter deficit to claim victory. The Lakers won the first game in 2008 by a 41-7 score at Mercyhurst.
EAGLE “O” RANKED #10 IN TOTAL OFFENSE
The Clarion offense ranks #10 in the PSAC in total offense at 312.9 yards per game, including #7 in rushing offense (152.6 ypg) and #10 in pass offense (160.3 ypg). Clarion is #13 in scoring offense at 18.9 ppg.
Red-shirt freshman qb Ben Fiscus (Fr. Indiana) will make his fifth straight start this Saturday against Mercyhurst. 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 49 of 91 passes for 549 yards and 6 td's, while rushing for 445 yards and 4 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 177 rushes for 756 yards and 5 td's, plus 15 catches for 109 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 2,061 on 458 carries with 23 td's. He ranks 7th in career rushing yards and 3rd in rushing td's. He also has 109 career catches for 1,172 yards and 6 td's. He has 5,883 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 27 grabs for 272 yards and 1 td this season, while Bunney has 25 catches for 326 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 14 catches for 192 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 325.2 yards per game, including 157.3 (9th in PSAC) on the ground and 167.9 through the air (#4 in PSAC).
MAUND & MORRISON TOP D-LINE
Maund, an All PSAC-West lineman in 2009, has 41 hits and 11 tfl's, while Morrison has 31 tackles and 14 tfl's, with Dunn (14 hits) and Kusick (6 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 53 hits and 5 tfl's this year.
Arminas Maciulis (Sr. Thomas Jefferson) has been starting at the other linebacker spot and has 53 tackles, 4 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 19 jolts with 5 tfl's and Moyemont has 13 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 87 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 33 jolts, Gluvna 20 hits and Long 15 tackles. James Eckels, who started the first 4 games, has missed the last five with injury and will likely miss this week as well.
Wilson has 35 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 45 stops, Akins 23 hits and 1 int and Stimac 7 tackles.
MAMULA LEADS SPECIAL TEAMS
Senior placekicker Robert Mamula (Canon McMillan is 9 for 14 in field goals this season, including a record setting 50-yarder last week at Gannon. He also had 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 35 of 57 field goal tries. He has also made 76 of 84 PAT's and has 182 kicking points at Clarion. He is averaging 37.0 yards per punt.
MERCYHURST OFFENSE AVERAGING 24.2 PPG IN 2010
The MErcyhurst offense is averaging 24.2 ppg (#9 in PSAC) this season and is #8 in total offense averaging 337.9 yards per game. The Lakers are getting 149.2 rushing yards (#9 in PSAC) and 188.7 passing yards (#7 in PSAC) per game.
The offense is directed by quarterback Travis Rearick. Rearick has started the last four Lakers games and has terrorized opponent secondaries. He has competed 94 of 163 passes (57.7%) for 1,011 yards and 11 td's with only 3 int's.
Rearick was 32 of 53 at IUP for 344 yards and 3 td's. He also hit on 21 of 37 aerials for 299 and 4 td's against Cal, and last week was 22 of 38 for 210 yards and 2 td's against Slippery Rock.
The running game is on the shoulders of senior tailback Gerald Anderson, who has rushed for 1,027 yards and 6 td's on 211 carries. He is averaging 4.9 per carry and 114.1 per game (#4 in PSAC).
The receivers are very talented with Trevor Kennedy and Terrance Coon catching the pigskin. Kennedy has 50 catches for 611 yards and 8 td's, while Coon has latched onto 36 aerials for 446 yards and 4 td's.
MERCYHURST RANKED #2 IN TOTAL DEFENSE IN PSAC
Mercyhurst's defense has been very strong in 2010 and ranks #2 in the entire PSAC in total defense yielding only 259.8 yards per game. Opponents are getting only 16.8 points per game (#3 in PSAC), along with 86.7 rushing yards per game (#2 in PSAC) and 173.1 passing yards (#7 in PSAC) per game.
The defensive front is anchored by ends Fred Hale (26 tackles, 9.5 tfl's) and Dan Kruper (48 hits, 11.5 tfl's) and noseguard Alex Trouten (20 tackles).
The linebacking corps is very strong with top tackler Bryan Boyce (66 jolts, 11.5 tfl's, 6.5 sacks), Tim Herbner (60 stops, 9 tfl's), Ian Wild (52 tackles) and Kevin Williams (44 hits) making plays.
The secondary features corners Julius McCormick (23 hits, 5 int's) and Linnell Robinson, along with strong safety Ryan Taylor (34 tackles, 2 int's) and free safety Bryant Kimball (46 stops, 2 int's).
Mercyhurst's defense last week held Slippery Rock to 47 yards of total offense… The Rock had 1 yard rushing and 46 yards passing. SR rushed 19 times for 1 yard and completed 7 of 26 passes for 46 yards.
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 – MERCYHURST SERIES: Clarion won the 2009 29-24 … Clarion outgained Mercyhurst 374-288 … Clarion had 91 yards rushing and 283 passing … Hoggard had a big day running for 88 yards and 2 td's, along with 2 catches for 53 yards and 1 td … Hoggard scored the game-winner on a 22-yard run with 2:18 left … Mercyhurst led 19-7 entering the 4
th quarter… Mamula hit a 31-yard field goal, then Hoggard scored on a 36-yard pass from
Tyler Huether … On the ensuing kickoff Mercyhurst's Andrew Bailey went 93 yards to put the Lakers back in front 25-17… With 5:43 left Huether hit
Jacques Robinson on a 25-yard td pass, but the 2-point PAT failed and the Lakers led 25-23… Hoggard scored with 2:18 left and the defense did the rest… Huether 20 of 333 for 283 and 2 td's .. Robinson caught 7 passes for 96 yards and 1 td … Laker QB Joe Laffey completed 15 of 27 for 185 and 2 td's … Trevor Kennedy had 4 for 74 yards …
2008 - Mercyhurst won the game 41-7 at Mercyhurst in the series opener .. The Lakers had 418 yards of offense to Clarion's 168 ... Mercyhurst jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead on a 31-yard td run by Ben Jennings and two td passes by Garrett Kensy ... Jennings had 137 yards and 1 td on 23 carries ... MC rushed for 268 yards ... Kensy hit 10 of 17 for 138 yards and 3 td's ... Clarion's Gino Rometo completed 11 of 19 passes for 100 yards, while
Tyler Huether came on in the fourth to complete 2 of 4 passes for 43 yards and 1 td ... Foradora and Robinson had 4 catches each, while Hoggard had 3 grabs for 58 yards and 1 score.
