(Clarion, Pa.): After taking #4 ranked Cal to the wire before losing 24-9 last week, the Golden Eagles look to rebound this Saturday, October 2, when Clarion hosts Slippery Rock at Memorial Stadium in a game that will also serve as the 2010 Homecoming contest. Also part of the famous Autumn Leaf Festival, kickoff is set for 2pm.
The game between Clarion and Slippery Rock 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 0-4 IN 2010
2009 EAGLES 8-3 – RANKED #8 IN SUPER REGION 1
Fifth year head coach Jay Foster has opened the 2010 season with an 0-4 record against a very tough schedule. Clarion opened with a home loss to Fairmont State (27-16), traveled to highly regarded Bloomsburg and lost 41-13, returned to Memorial Stadium and lost a 28-24 decision to Shippensburg and last week led #4 Cal 7-3 at halftime, but lost the game 24-9.
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 12-35 at Clarion.
SLIPPERY ROCK 3-1/0-1 TO START 2010
Slippery Rock, under the direction of head coach Dr. George Mihalik, is off to a strong 3-1 start to the 2010 season and 0-1 in the PSAC-West. The Rock posted three straight wins over Merrimack (45-26), Cheyney (30-0) and West Chester (33-27 OT). Last Saturday the Rock lost 17-0 in the PSAC-West opener at IUP.
Mihalik, in his 23rd season at head coach at Slippery Rock, has an overall record of 150-91-4 and led his teams to four straight PSAC-West titles from 1997-2000 and three NCAA Division II Playoff appearances during that time.
SR LEADS OVERALL SERIES 41-24-3
Slippery Rock leads the series between the two schools by a 41-24-3 margin in games dating back to 1928. Clarion won last year's game 27-10 at Slippery Rock. SR won the five previous meetings including a 49-14 win in 2008 at Clarion, a 41-18 win at Slippery Rock in 2007, a 31-7 win at Clarion in 2006, a 28-10 victory in 2005 and a 31-14 win in 2004. Clarion won the 2003 meeting by a narrow 19-17 final. SR has won 10 of the last 13 meetings and owns a 12-5 mark in the last 17 meetings dating back to 1992. The five Clarion wins came in 1992 (49-37), 1993 (29-24), 1996 (54-28), 2003 (19-17) and 2009 (27-10). SR wins were 41-17 in 1995, 28-7 in 1997, 28-14 in 1998, 45-7 in 1999, 27-14 in 2000, 33-24 in 2001, 21-14 in 2002 and 2004-2008.
EAGLE OFFENSE RANKED #4 IN PASS OFFENSE
The Clarion offense ranks #9 in the PSAC in total offense at 326.5 yards per game, including #14 in rushing offense (107.5 ypd) and #4 in pass offense (219 ypg). Clarion is #14 in scoring offense at 15.5ppg.
Sophomore qb Eric Coxon (Pgh- Brentwood) has completed 76 of 139 passes for 876 yards and 3 td's with 8 int's, while backup Ben Fiscus (Fr. Indiana) has rushed for 46 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 87 rushes for 259 yards and 1 td, plus 8 catches for 80 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 1,564 rushing yards on 368 carries and 19 rushing td's, plus 102 career catches for 1,143 yards and 6 td's. He has 5,159 all-purpose yards and 26 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 25 passes for 315 yards and 2 td's this season. In his outstanding career he is 2nd All-Time with 188 catches and is 4th at Clarion in career receiving yards with 2,214 . He needs 7 catches to tie Alvin Slaughter's record 195 catches (1995-98) and needs 43 receiving yards to catch Pierre Odom's 2,257 yards (2003-07). He has 15 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. Ward has 17 grabs for 169 yards this season., while Bunney has 13 catches for 161 yards.
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 9 catches for 128 yards and 1 td this season.
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 #16 IN PSAC
Clarion's “D” is 16th in total defense in the PSAC giving up 397 yards per game, including 230.8 on the ground (16th in PSAC) and 166.2 through the air (#4 in PSAC).
MAUND & MORRISON TOP D-LINE
Maund, an All PSAC-West lineman in 2009, has 17 hits and 4 tfl's, while Morrison has 15 tackles and 6 tfl's, with Dunn (6 hits) and Kusick (4 stops) alternating at noseguard. Tackle John Hackel may miss this week's game with an injury. Adam Bostick (4 tackles) 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 28 hits and 3 tfl's this year.
Robinson has made 9 jolts with 2 tfl's and Maciulis 19 hits, 1 tfl.
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 49 tackles and 7 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 has returning starters James Eckels (Jr. McKeesport) and Chris Smeltzer (Sr. Red Lion), at safety, along with Aaron Gluvna (So. Corry). Eckels has 25 stops and a breakup, while Smeltzer has 19 hits.
Wilson has 16 jolts and 2 tfl's in 2010. Last year he had 69 stops and 2 interceptions, returning one for a td against Fairmont. Akins has 10 hits and 1 int, Paronish has 28 stops and Stimac 2.
MAMULA LEADS SPECIAL TEAMS
Senior placekicker Robert Mamula (Canon McMillan) will do the placekicking and punting the remainder of the season, since punter Nathan Conway (So. Central Mountain) is injured.
Mamula is 6 for 9 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 32 of 52 field goal tries. He has also made 65 of 72 PAT's and has 161 kicking points at Clarion. He is averaging 40.5 yards per punt.
SR OFFENSE AVERAGING 27 PPG IN 2010
The SR offense has scored plenty of points this season and ranks #5 in the PSAC with 27 ppg. The Rock offense is getting 313.2 yards per game (#11 in PSAC), including 180 rushing yards (#5 in PSAC) and 133.2 passing yards (#14 in PSAC).
The SR offense is directed by sophomore qb Ryan Sabo. He has connected on 40 of 82 passes for 533 yards ad 4 td's with 2 int's.
The running game is led by the PSAC's #2 ranked runner in Akeem Satterfield. He has 78 rushes for 488 yards and 7 td's in only 3 games (162.7 per game). He rushed for 240 yards and 4 td's against Merrimack and 192 yards and 3 td's against West Chester.
Chris Darby (151 yards, 1 td) and LaQuinn Stephens-Howling (119 yards) will also tote the pigskin.
Devin Goda (24 catches, 334 yards, 3 td's) is the Rock's main receiving weapon.
SR DEFENSE #6 IN TOTAL DEFENSE IN PSAC
SR's defense is giving up 17.5 points per game (#5 in PSAC) and 321 yards per game (#6 in PSAC) in total defense. Slippery Rock's opponents are netting 167 rushing yards (#11 in PSAC) and 154 passing yards (#1 in PSAC) through the air.
Up front defensive ends Andrew Pianetti (14 hits, 4.5 tfl's) and Quintin Johnson (17 stops, 3.5 tfl's), noseguard Aaron Nall (19 jolts, 1.5 tfl's) and tackle Scott Kachurik (14 tackles, 1.5 tfl's) lead the way.
The linebacking corps is solid with top tackler Zach Sheridan (37 jolts), plus Aaron Moul (21 hits) and Tyler Henderson (12 stops) providing help.
The secondary has Andre Freeman (33 hits, 2.5 tfl's) and Robert Doiley (12 tackles, 3.5 tfl's, 1 int) at the corners, with Jayson Nickson (24 tackles, 1 int) at strong safety and Brandon Watters (19 jolts) at free safety.
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 - SR SERIES: 2009: Clarion won 27-10 – Last year Clarion's Alfonso Hoggard rushed for 205 yards and 2 td's to help lead Clarion to victory … He had a school record 84-yard td run in the third quarter to ice the game… Clarion had 347 yards of offense to SR's 230… the Rock was held to 33 rushing yards on 24 attempts… 2008 SR won 49-14 ... SR led 14-0 at halftime, but 21 third quarter points helped the Rock to the win ... Huether was 26 of 45 for 224 yards and 2 td's - plus 3 int's ... Huether ran for 93 yards ... Jacques Robinson had 8 catches for 78 yards and 2 td's ... SR rushed for 451 yards ... 179 & 2 td's from Scott-Mitchell, 129 and 2 td's from Ryan Lehmeier and 129 and 2 td's from Corey Manful ... 2007 - SR defeated Clarion 41-18 at SRU - but not before Clarion jumped out to a 9-0 lead on a Nick Sipes 30-yard field goal and an Eddie Emmanuel 1-yard run ... QB Tyler Huether hit on 23 of 34 passes for 303 yards ... SR's Ryan Lehmeier rushed 23 times for 210 yards and 4 td's to lead the Rock ... 2006 - Clarion lost 31-7, but trailed only 10-7 at halftime ... SR scored 21-unanswered points in the second half ... Clarion's Eddie Emmanuel scored the first td on a 2-yard run to take a 7-0 lead .... Emmanuel ran for 170 yards and 1 td on 25 carries ... SR's Nate Crookshank passed for 155 yards and 2 td's to lead the Rock ... In 2005 Clarion lost 28-10 to SR at Memorial Stadium… Clarion led 10-7 in the second when James Charles recovered a fumbled punt in the endzone and Kyle Snoke booted a 37-yard field goal… SR All-American Josh Kniess ran 49-yards for a td before halftime to give the Rock a 14-10 lead they never relinquished… Kniess rushed for 273 yards and 3 td's … Nate Crookshank completed 12 of 22 for 132 yards… In 2003 SR defeated Clarion 31-14 … Clarion held a 14-10 second quarter lead but couldn't hold it ...Kniess rushed for 3 td's (one in 2nd qtr., 2 in the third) to put the game away... Clarion rushed for 186 ... Glenn Lovelace gained 75 yards with 1 td ...SRU rushed for 201 - Josh Kniess with 111 yards on 31 carries and 3 td's... Clarion rallied from a 17-7 second quarter deficit in 2003 to defeat SR 19-17 at the Rock ... Mark Hofmeister's 49-yard field goal prior to halftime cut SR's lead to 17-10 ... Bo Busch returned a blocked punt 7 yards for a td, then Hofmeister booted an 18-yard field goal with 10:47 left to win the game ... Clarion posted 251 yards of offense including 141 rushing and 110 passing ... Brandon Dando completed 14 of 25 passes for 110 yards and 1 td, plus ran for 41 yards ... Pierre Odom had 7 catches for 53 yards ... the Eagles blocked 2 punts and 1 field goal attempt on the day ... SR's Kniess had 92 yards and td on 20 carries ... In 2002 Clarion lost a 21-14 game to Slippery Rock at Clarion's Memorial Stadium... The Rock jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead, then hung on to win... Clarion held SR to -18 rushing yards for the entire game on 34 carries ... In the second half Clarion outgained SR 137 to -3 yards, but Clarion just couldn't overcome the first period deficit... Robert Walker ran for 58 yards and 1 td on 17 carries and Brandon Sweeney gained 53 on 8 tries... Adam Almashy completed 8 of 16 passes for 66yards... Clarion NG Troy Bowers had 12 tackles, 5 tfl's and 2 sacks ... In 2001 at Clarion the Eagles lost 33-24 and outgained SR 455-267, had a 20-10 advantage in first downs and a time of possession advantage of 33:06 - 26:54... Clarion rushed for 318 yards including a single game Clarion record of 257 yards by Demetric Gardner ... Almashy hit on 8 of 19 passes for 137 yards and 1 td ... Slippery Rock got a big performance from Dorrian Glenn who gained 200 yards and 3 td's on 28 carries ... His 44 yard td to open the game and 25 yard td run on fourth down to close the game were huge plays ... Clarion won at Slippery Rock in 1996 when the Eagles notched a 54-28 victory ... In that game the Eagles rushed for 407 yards ... Ron DeJidas ran for 231 yards and 2 td, plus caught a td pass ... Steve Witte also dashed for 143 yards and 2 td's, grabbed 4 passes for 70 yards, and returned a kickoff 43-yards late in the game for a td ... Clarion had 577 yards in that game and SR had 453 for a combined total of 1,030 yards of total offense… In 1992's 49-37 Clarion win at SR, the two teams combined for 1,036 yards, 86 points and 910 passing yards between the two teams … Clarion qb Tim Myers tossed a school record 6 td passes, including 3 to Marlon Worthy who caught 4 passes for 172 yards and 3 td's, plus returned a punt 67-yards for a td… SR qb John Linhart passed for 502 yards and 4 td's in a losing effort … Greg Hopkins caught 16 passes for 202 yards
