(CLARION, PA.): Although the Golden Eagles are 0-2 to start the 2010 football season, Clarion returns home to try and turn their fortunes around when the Eagles host Shippensburg on Saturday, September 18th at Memorial Stadium for an important PSAC matchup. Kickoff is set for 6pm.
Clarion will be honoring the 1980 PSAC Championship team, led by former head coach Al Jacks and team co-captains QB Bob Beatty and NG Steve Scillitani, in halftime ceremonies.
Saturday will also be a Blue and Gold Kickoff Pep Rally Day in Downtown Clarion. The Pep Rally, located on North 6th Avenue between Main and Merle Streets, begins at 3pm and is sponsored by the Clarion Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The Clarion Conservancy and Clarion Athletics. The Clarion Pep Band, Dance Team, Cheerleaders, Head Football Coach Jay Foster, the 1980 PSAC Title Team, Mayor Andrea Estadt, A.D. Dave Katis, Mike Kalinowski from C-93 Radio and a host of people will be firing up the crowd at the Pep Rally. Chamber Director Tracy Becker will emcee the event.
The game between Clarion and Shippensburg 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 POST 8-3 MARK IN 2009
FINISH 2ND IN PSAC-WEST – 8TH IN SUPER REGION 1
Fifth year head coach Jay Foster enters the second game of 2010 with an 0-2 record, after a tough 41-13 loss last week at Bloomsburg, and the season opening 27-16 loss to Fairmont State at Memorial Stadium.
Clarion returns a total of 19 starters and 38 lettermen this season and is coming off a strong 2009 campaign that included an 8-3 overall record, a 6-1 mark in the rugged PSAC-West and finished the season with 6 straight wins and an 8th place ranking in the final NCAA Division II Super Region 1 Poll.
The Golden Eagles won 7 of their final 8 games in 2009, including ending the season on a 6-game winning streak. That win streak could have been 8 in a row, as the Eagles lost a tough PSAC-West showdown at Cal in week 5 by a 35-31 margin, with the game in doubt until the final play. Foster, the 2009 PSAC-West “Coach of the Year”, has a record of 12-34 at Clarion.
SHIPPENSBURG 0-2 IN 2010/RAIDERS WERE 2009 PSAC CHAMPIONS
Shippensburg, under 21st year head coach Rocky Rees, enters the game with a tough 0-2 record. Rees announced earlier this Fall that he would be retiring from coaching the Red Raiders following the 2010 season. Shipp lost the season opener to Shepherd 35-27, then led Gannon last week 19-0 at halftime but lost the game 22-19.
Rees led the Raiders to a 9-3 overall record, the PSAC-Eastern Division Title and an impressive PSAC Championship win over California by a 42-35 margin. Shipp qualified for the NCAA Playoffs and lost to Cal 26-21.
Rees has a record of 118-104-1 at Shippensburg, and a career collegiate record of 154-121-2. He has been a 4-time PSAC-East “Coach of the Year”.
CLARION LEADS SERIES 33-18-1 DATING BACK TO 1955
In a series that dates back to 1955, Clarion leads the overall series 33-18-1. Clarion lost the last game between the two schools, back in 2007, by a 41-23 score. Ship won in 2006 (35-10), as well as a 37-0 at Shippensburg in 2005 and a 44-0 loss in 2004 at Memorial Stadium. Clarion last defeated Shippensburg in 2000 in a wild 56-49 contest. In the last 13 games Shipp holds a 10-3 advantage over the Golden Eagles. Clarion wins were in 1995 (31-9), 1996 (59-20) and 2000 (59-46). Ship wins were in 1997, (37-14), 1998 (38-3), 1999 (32-26), 2001 (34-29), 2002 (20-19). 2003 (13-0), 2004 (44-0), 2005 (37-0.), 2006 (35-10) and 2007 (41-23).
EAGLE OFFENSE RETURNS 8 STARTERS
The Clarion offense returns 8 starters and 15 lettermen from last year and has moved the ball well in its first two games, but is having trouble finding the endzone. The Eagles are #2 in total offense at 423.5 yards per game, including #6 in rushing offense (158 ypd) and #3 in pass offense (265 ypg). Clarion is #13 in scoring offense at 14.5ppg.
Sophomore qb Eric Coxon (Pgh- Brentwood) has completed 49 of 82 passes for 531 yards, while backup Ben Fiscus (Fr. Indiana) played in the opener and had 1 rush for 12 yards.
ALL-AMERICAN 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 62 rushes for 207 yards (#2 in PSAC), plus 5 catches for 44 yards. He is also #1 in the PSAC in all-purpose yards (203.5 ypg).
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 1,512 rushing yards on 343 carries and 18 rushing td's, plus 99 career catches for 1,107 yards and 6 td's. He has 4,939 all-purpose yards and 25 career td's.
Also expecting to see plenty of time in the backfield are John Fuhrer (So. Pgh. – Keystone Oaks) and Jerico Weiztel (Ridgway).
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 15 passes for 157 yards this season. In his outstanding career he is 2nd All-Time with 178 catches and is 5th at Clarion in career receiving yards with 2,056. He needs 17 catches to tie Alvin Slaughter's 195 catches (1995-98) and can moved into 4th place with 109 receiving yards against Ship. (Ron Urbansky 1986-89; 2,164 yards). He has 13 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.
Returning as starters in 2010 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. Bunney had 3 grabs for 43 yards in the opener. Ward has 13 grabs for 138 yards this season., while Bunney has 8 catches for 100 yards.
Also looking to catch passes will be Tarrean Barrett (So. Scranton) and Rob Tantlinger (So. Franklin) at wideout, along with Rob Irwin (So. Bellefonte) and Anthony Becoate (Fr. McKeesport) at tight end.
BAZZONE CENTERS VETERAN “O” LINE
Clarion's “O” line will return 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 RETURNS 9 STARTERS
Nine starters and 21 lettermen return for a Clarion defense that was the key to Clarion's team success in 2009. Clarion's “D” is 13th in total defense giving up 362 yards per game, including 246 on the ground (16th in PSAC) and 116 through the air (#1 in PSAC).
HACKEL, MAUND & MORRISON TOP D-LINE
Maund, an All PSAC-West lineman in 2009, has 5 hit and 2 tfl's, while Morrison has 7 tackles and 5 tfl's, with Dunn ( 3 hits) and Kusick (1 stop) alternating at noseguard. Tackle John Hackel may miss this week's game with an injury.
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 8 hits and 2 tfl's this year.
Robinson has made 4 jolts with 2 tfl's, Maciulis 6 hits and 1 sack and Verdun 1 stop.
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 16 tackles and 3 tfl's in 2010.
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.
The secondary will again not have veteran free safety Shawn Sopic (Sr. Curwensville) due to an off-season injury. A three-year starter, Sopic had 56 hits and 7 break-ups last year and in his career has 165 tackles, 14 break-ups, 4 int's and 5 tfl's..
The secondary ready to go with returning starters James Eckels (Jr. McKeesport) and Chris Smeltzer (Sr. Red Lion), at safety, along with Aaron Gluvna (So. Corry). Eckels has 8 stops and a breakup, while Smeltzer has 9 stops and Gluvna one tackle.
The corner spots will have Chris Wilson (Jr. Phila. – Frankford) as one starter, with Andrew Paronish (So. Northern Cambria) and Anthony Stimac (So. East Brady/Karns City) battling at the other corner position.
Wilson has 10 jolts in 2010. Last year he had 69 stops and 2 interceptions, returning one for a td against Fairmont. Paronish has 8 stops and Stimac 2.
MAMULA & CONWAY RETURN TO SPECIAL TEAMS
Senior placekicker Robert Mamula (Canon McMillan) and sophomore punter Nathan Conway (So. Central Mountain) return to lead the special teams.
Mamula is five for 6 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 31 of 49 field goal tries. He has also made 63 of 70 PAT's and has 156 kicking points at Clarion.
Conway is averaging 34.2 in 2010 after posting a 37.9 yard average last year.
SHIPPENSBURG OFFENSE AVERAGING 23 PPG IN 2010
The Shippensburg offense has scored plenty of points this season and rank #8 in the PSAC with 23 ppg. The Red Raider offense is getting 324.5 yards per game (#10 in PSAC), including 131.5 rushing yards (#10 in PSAC) and 193 passing yards (#6 in PSAC).
The Shippensburg offense is being run by sophomore quarterback Steven Adams. He has completed 18 of 44 passes for 331 yards and 4 td's.
The running game features fullback Kevin Herod (32 carries, 137 yards), along with halfbacks Mike Frenette (17 rushes, 84 yards, 2 td's) and Kevin Marshall (15 carries, 77 yards).
Top receivers include Bryan Barley (5 catches, 112 yards, 2 td's) and Taimur Harris (2 grabs, 63 yards, 1 td).
RED RAIDERS RANK #16 IN TOAL DEFENSE IN PSAC
Shippensburg's defense is giving up 405 yards per game which ranks last in the PSAC in total defense. Opposing offenses are getting 216.5 rushing yards (#15 in PSAC) and 188.5 passing yards (#9 in PSAC) per game.
Up front the Raiders are led by Mark Khalil Smith (4 tackles, 2 tfl's), Erik Van Ness (2 tfl's) and Dainen Green (1 tfl).
The linebackers are paced by top tackler Cody Fleming (19 stops, 4.5 tfl's), Riley Bowen (16 hits, 3 sacks) and Vinnie Ranauto (13 stops, 2 int's).
Leading the secondary are free safety Jamahn McCollough (9 tackles), strong safety Corey Hunt (12 jolts) and corner Marcellus Sammons (12 hits, 2 tfl's).
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)…
SHIPPENSBURG SERIES NOTES: In 2007 Clarion led 7-0 when Pierre Odom recovered a Clarion fumble in the endzone in the first quarter … Shipp scored the next 31 points and led 31-7 entering the 4th quarter – and went on to win 41-23… Clarion QB Gino Rometto hit on 17 of 26 passes for 226 yards and 1 td… Hoggard caught 7 passes for 84 yards … Ship's Aaron Dykes rushed for 114 yards and 3 td's… In the 2006 game Clarion led 3-0 at halftime and outgained Ship130-52 in the first half ... But the Raiders scored 35 second half points to win 35-10... Eddie Emmanuel rushed for 75 yards, Matt Foradora caught 4 passes for 60 yards and Huether completed 8 of 26 for 91 yards... Maiocco completed 5 of 13 for 107 yards and 2 td's ... Richards ran for 106 yards and 1 td and Dykes rushed for 58 yards and 1 td... In Ship's 20-19 win at Clarion in 2002, Brian Sekel's 18-yard td catch with 6:47 left in the game provided the margin of victory... Clarion had 307 total yards with 60 on the ground and 247 through the air ... Ship had 258 overall including 185 rushing and 73 passing ...Adam Almashy passed for 247 yards and 2 td's... Ship's John Kuhn gained 184 yards and 1 td on 31 carries... In 2000 at Memorial Stadium the two teams combined for a Clarion record 105-points as Clarion won a 56-49 shootout ... Clarion held what looked to be comfortable leads in the third quarter of 49-14 and 56-21, before the Raiders mounted a furious comeback... Adam Almashy stole the show completing 16 of 26 passes for 282 yards and 5 td's, while also rushing for a td... Tab Musser led the Eagle ground attack with 93 yards... Clarion outgained Shipp in that game 576 - 391.
