(Clarion, Pa.): Are you ready for some football!
The Golden Eagles open their 2011 gridiron season on Thursday, September 1, when Clarion travels to Fairmont State to take on the Fighting Falcons. Kickoff at Duvall-Rosier Field is set for 7 p.m. .
All the game action between Clarion and Fairmont State can be heard on the Golden Eagle Football network, which includes WCCR-FM, 92.7 in Clarion 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 BEGINS 6TH SEASON/ CLARION POSTS 4-7 MARK IN 2010
2009 EAGLES 8-3 - 2ND IN PSAC-WEST – 8TH IN SUPER REGION 1
Sixth year head coach
Jay Foster marches into 2011 with 16 starters and 40 lettermen returning as the Golden Eagles look to have an exciting gridiron season in 2011. The roster includes 14 seniors, 15 juniors and 21 sophomores.
The Golden Eagles were 4-7 season in 2010 with a 3-4 mark in the rugged PSAC-Western Division. The season began with an 0-5 start, and three of those games saw Clarion have a chance to win in the final minutes.
Clarion rebounded in the second half of the year winning four of their final six contests posting victories over Lock Haven (49-6), IUP (21-14), Gannon (11-10) and Millersville (49-10). The Eagles hope to use that momentum to springboard into the 2011 season.
Coach Foster, who was the 2009 PSAC-West “Coach of the Year”, led the 2009 team to an 8-3 overall record, a second place finish in the PSAC-West with a 6-1 mark and earned an 8th place ranking in the NCAA Div. II Super Region 1 final 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.
FAIRMONT STATE 5-6 IN 2010/RETURNS 19 STARTERS & 46 LETTERMEN
Fairmont State is led by fifth year head coach Mike Lopez who returns 19 starters and 46 lettermen from last year's Fighting Falcon team. The 2010 squad finished 5-6 overall and had another three games lost by eight points or less, including one overtime loss.
The Falcons opened last season with wins over Clarion (27-16) and Notre Dame College (38-0), lost to eventual WQVIAC Champion Shepherd (19-16) and Glenville in overtime (17-14), then lost 43-23 to West Liberty, 35-27 to Charleston and 24-0 to Pembroke. The team rallied for a big win over #25 rated West Virginia Wesleyan (45-14), Seton Hill (44-29), lost 41-17 to Concord and finished with a 63-38 win against West Virginia State.
Coach Lopez was 3-8 in 2009, 5-6 in 2008 and 6-5 in 2007 at Fairmont, and has a four year record of 19-25.
CLARION LEADS OVERALL SERIES 10-6
Clarion leads the overall series between the two schools by a 10-6 margin in games dating back to 1982. From 1982-91 the two schools were regulars on the overall schedule with Clarion posting a 7-3 advantage. Clarion won the first five meetings including 1982 (24-12), 1983 (21-17), 1984 (21-13), 1985 (7-2) and 1986 (14-0). Fairmont won three straight starting in 1987 (14-8), 1988 (26-25) and 1989 (51-38), before the Golden Eagles answered with wins in 1990 (31-14) and 1991 (24-21). Clarion also won games in 1994 (29-19) and 1995 (48-13), before losing the 2007 renewal at Fairmont 21-14 and the 2008 game in Clarion by a 23-20 margin on the game's final play at Memorial Stadium. In 2009 Clarion traveled to Fairmont and won by a score of 33-21. Chris Wilson's 40 yard interception return for a td with 3:43 remaining sealed that win for the Eagles. Last year the Falcons won 27-16 at Memorial Stadium.
CLARION HOME OPENER SEPT. 10 VS BLOOMSBURG
VETERANS/FIRST RESPONDERS APPRECIATION DAY GAME
The Golden Eagles return to Memorial Stadium for the home opener on Saturday, September 10, which will also be Veterans/First Responders Appreciation Day in Clarion. The day will start with a Parade down Main Street starting at 11 a.m. and end at the Stadium. Remembrance Ceremonies to honor the fallen of 9/11 and all Veterans and First Responders will start around 12:30 prior to the 1 p.m. kickoff against Bloomsburg.
All First Responders of Clarion County and
all Veterans (Individual Vets/ Military & Veterans Organizations & Units) are invited to register to participate in the events by logging onto
www.clarionpa.com and sign up. More info is also available at
www.clariongoldeneagles.com.
CLARION OFFENSE AVERAGED 313.2 YARDS & 21.2 PPG IN 2010
QB BEN FISCUS READY TO CALL SIGNALS
The Clarion offense returns 6 starters on a unit that averaged 21.2ppg and 313.2 yards per game. Clarion averaged 166.1 rushing yards and 147.1 passing yards per game.
Sophomore signal caller Ben Fiscus (So. Indiana) is expected to direct the offense. Fiscus started the final six games and finished the year passing for 705 yards and 7 td's, while rushing for 582 yards and 6 td's. He set a school record against Lock Haven finishing the game completing 16 of 16 passes for 187 yards and 4 td's. Junior Eric Coxon (Jr. Pgh – Brentwod) who passed for 905 yards and 3 td's, plus rushed for 109 yards and 1 td last year, is ready if called upon. His top game came in the season opener of 2010 when he completed 28 of 45 passes for 285 yards against Fairmont.
WARD, BARRETT, BEACOATE & IRWIN LEAD RECEIVERS
Ward grabbed 28 passes for 277 yards and 1 td last year, and grabbed a season high 12 passes for 118 yards versus Fairmont State. A three-year letterwinner and two-year starter, Ward has 67 career catches for 704 yards and 2 td's.
Barrett caught 8 passes for 74 yards last year at wideout, while tight end Becoate had 15 receptions for 203 yards and 3 td's. Irwwin sat out last year with an injury, but is a talented tight end as well.
Jon Reid (So. Stafford, Va.), Robert Tantlinger (Jr. Franklin) and Ren Yonker (So. Johnsonburg) are also expected to see time.
RUNNING BACKS LOOK TO FILL HOGGARD'S SHOES
All-America running back Alfonso Hoggard has graduated. Junior John Fuhrer (Jr. Pgh – Keystone Oaks) is ready to step in and take over those duties. He rushed for 58 yards and 2 td's last year, while rushing for 200 yards and 2 td's in 2009. Sophomore Brandon Akins (Erie/Strong Vincent) has moved from defensive back to tailback and is battling for playing time with Fuhrer. Akins has excellent speed and quickness. Godson Tandoh (So. Wilkes-Barre) and a bevy of freshmen are also battling for time.
BAZZONE LEADS TALENTED OFFENSIVE LINE
The “O” line will have three talented starters returning in center and captain Vince Bazzone (6-2, 265, Sr. McKeesport), and tackles Mike Felker (6-4, 275, So. Gibsonia/Pine Richland) and Elijah Morres (6-5, 285, Sr. Brookville). Bazzone and Morres are three year starters, while Felker earned All-PSAC honors last year as a freshman. Senior Bob Beidl (Clarion/Clarion-Limestone) and Andrew Vercelli (Jr. Gibsonia/Deer Lakes) will be the starting guards. Eli Ruppert (Jr. Indiana/Apollo Ridge), Ryan Barrick (So. Easton) and Terrance Perfilio (So. Farrell) are among the challengers for time on the offensive line.
9 STARTERS RETURN ON RUGGED EAGLE DEFENSE
Defense wins championships and the Golden Eagles return 9 starters on a defense that ranked seventh in total defense in 2010 and looks to be even strong this year. Clarion limited opponents to 326.4 yards of total offense per game including 143.4 on the ground (8th in PSAC) and 183 through the air (7th in PSAC).
2010 ALL REGION CHOICE MORRISON LEADS DEFENSIVE FRONT
Up front senior All-Region defensive end and captain Barrington Morrison (Sr. Pgh – Penn Hills) anchors a strong front wall. Morrison had 40 tackles in 2010 and led the PSAC with 12 sacks and 4 fumbles caused and was second in the league with 20 tfl's. He will be joined up front by John Hackel (Sr. South Park), who missed last season, along with Braheem Foy (Jr. Philadelphia/Frankford) Ryan Slack (Jr. N. Huntingdon/Norwin), Adam Bostick (So. Lititz.Manheim Twp), Josh Stegena (Sr. Munhall) and Sean Motley (Jr. West Mifflin).
Hackel had 54 hits and 8 tfl's in 2009, while Foy came on last year to post 17 hits and 6 tfl's. Slack had 4 tfl's, Bostick 6 tfl's, Stegena 15 stops and 2 tfl's and Motley 9 hits.
CLARION LINEBACKERS LOOKING TO CLOG THE MIDDLE
The linebacking corps will feature the return of Reggie Robinson (Sr. Pgh – Brashear), Mike Verdun (Sr. Greensburg), red-shirt freshman T.J. McElwaine and transfer Nate Sipes (Jr. Curwensville). Robinson had 20 tackles and 5 tfl's last year, while Verdun is back 100% from a series of injuries that has slowed him for three years.McIlwaine had a strong Spring camp and Sipes, the brother of former All-America safety Nick Sipes, is a transfer from Slippery Rock.
SOPIC/PETTINA LEAD TALENTED EAGLE SECONDARY
Although All-America safety Nick Sipes has graduated, three year starter and captain Shawn Sopic (Sr. Curwensville) (56 hits, 7 break-ups – 2009) returns after missing 2010 to lead a quality secondary. Sopic has 165 career tackles, 14 break-ups, 4 int's and 5 tfl's in his career.
Also back in the secondary are sophomore Jay Pettina (So. Indiana - 37 stops, 3 int's), senior James Eckels (McKeesport - 25 hits - missed final 7 games with injury), Aaron Gluvna (Jr. Corry - 26 tackles), Chris Wilson (Sr. Philadelphia/Frankford - 43 jolts, 3 int's), Brandon Akins (23 tackles, 1 int), Andrew Paronish (Jr. Hastings/No. Cambria - 54 stops, 2 int's), and Anthony Stimac (Jr. East Brady/Karns City - 15 jolts).
The punting chores will rest with Nathan Conway who averaged 37.9 yards per punt in 20090, but missed last season with an injury. The placekicking chores will be handled by true freshman Tyler Ruark (Whiteford, Md.).
TALENTED QB LOGAN MOORE LEADS EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE
In 2010 Fairmont state averaged 28.5 points per game and a healthy 323.2 yards of offense per contest. The “O” gained 142.5 yards on the ground and 180.6 through the air.
Back to lead the offense is sophomore quarterback Logan Moore. Moore, a true freshman in 2010, completed 141 of 277 passes (50.9%) for 1,874 yards and 18 td's with 13 int's. He also ran for 352 yards and 5 td's.
The running game will be led by freshman Daniel Monroe and sophomore Damon Waters at tailback. Monroe is a transfer from Florida State who red-shirted a year ago and still has four years of eligibility remaining. Waters gained 353 yards and 2 td's, plus caught 12 passes for 62 yards in only 7 games last season. Cody Reed will start at fullback after rushing for 60 yards and 2 td's last year.
The receiving corps has C. St. Hilaire, Matt Wilmer and Mark Sampson back at the wideouts and Sean Marion at tight end. St. Hilaire caught 27 passes for 418 yards and 2 td's last year, while Wilmer had 18 grabs for 273 yards and 2 td's. Sampson had 2 catches in five games played.
Florida State transfer Tim Orange and true freshman Gary Lodge also expect to stretch the Eagle defense at the wideout spot.
Placekicker Frank Keenan, who booted 8 of 10 field goals and 38 of 41 PAT's returns for his senior season.
FAIRMONT STATE DEFENSE RETURNS 9 STARTERS
UNDERWOOD, DAVIS & McDONALD RETURN AS TOP 3 TACKLERS
The Falcon defense yielded 25.1 points per game and 402.8 yards of offense per contest. The defense gave up 169.4 yards rushing and 233.5 passing for a total defense of 402.8 yards per game.
Up front the Falcons are led by seniors Luke Black (28 hits, 5 tfl's, 2 sacks) and Devin Johnson (26 tackles, 6 tfl's).
The linebacking corps has the 2010 team's top two tacklers returning in Greg Underwood (93 stops, 4 int's) and Garrett Davis (71 stops, 7 tfl's). Also back are Ryan Watts (26 tackles) and David Pack (24 jolts).
The secondary features Dewey McDonald (69 tackles, 5 tfl's, 3 int's) at free safety, with Daniel Strosnider (48 stops, 13 tfl's) at strong safety and Justin Hughes and Scott Davidson at the corners.
Punter Ben Landis averaged 40.5 yards per boot last year.
CLARION NOTES: FAIRMONT STATE SERIES NOTES: Last year in Clarion, Fairmont defeated Clarion 27-16 … Clarion led 16-7 in the third quarter … John Fuhrer scored on a 2-yard run in the first quarter and Robert Mamula booted three field goals, the third with 10:06 left in the third quarter to give Clarion a 16-7 lead … Fairmont rallied with a 54-yard interception for a td by Ryan Newland in the third, then went ahead with 13:22 left in the fourth when Cody Reed went 33 yards for a td… P. Pincinat put the game away with a 1 yard td run with 5:22 left … Clarion outgained Fairmont 494-217 in total offense … 4 Clarion turnovers were critical in the loss … Alfonso Hoggard rushed for 143 yards and QB Eric Coxon completed 28 of 4 passes for 285 yards with 3 int's … Matt Ward caught 12 passes for 118 yards … FSU's Logan Moore completed 8 of 19 passes for 69 yards … Top rusher was Pinchinat who carried 7 times for 43 yards and 2 td's … In 2009 at Fairmont State, Clarion won by a 33-21 margin… Clarion placekicker Robert Mamula was 4 for 4 in field goals connecting from 21, 30, 46 and 22 yards… Clarion was outgained by Fairmont 371-346 … Clarion led 16-14 at halftime – then a 1 yd td by Huether and a field goal by Mamula in the third made it 26-14… Chris Wilson's 40 yard interception return for a td with 3:43 was the game clincher… Clarion returned two int's for a td – Hoggard was injured in the first quarter and sat out the rest of the game… QB Tyler Huether completed 20 of 41 passes for 253 yards … plus rushed for 25 yards and 1 td… Jacques Robinson had 7 catches for 85 yards and Matt Foradora also had 7 for 76 yards… Nick Sipes had 13 tackles and 1 sack… Ben Maund posted 9 with 3 tfl's … Fairmont's Brazill rushed for 56 yards and Victorio 53 yards… Perry Baker had 2 rushes for 51 yards, including a 54-yard td on a reverse… In Clarion in 2008 - Fairmont won 23-20 when Alex Ashley kicked a 39 yard field goal on the game's final play ... Clarion tied the game with 3:29 left when Nick Sipes ran 34-yards with a td... Fairmont outgained Clarion 302-271 ... Clarion qb Gino Rometo hit on 21 of 31 passes for 224 yards and 1 td ... Jacques Robinson caught 7 for 89 and 1 td, with Foradora grabbing 5 for 35 and Hoggard 4 for 71 yards... FSC's Bradford rushed for 53 yards and completed 10 of 22 for 184 and 2 td's ... Perry Baker caught 2 passes for 78 and 1 td - which went 72 yards ... Travis Hawthorne had 4 catches for 56 yards. In 2007 at Fairmont Clarion won the stat battle (435-361 total offense) and led into the fourth quarter 14-13, when FSC's Vick Bradford scored on a 1-yard run with 7:39 left to win the game 21-14... Clarion had first and goal at the in the final 2 minutes to try and win the game, but FSC's defense came up with the big stops and won the game ... Eddie Emmanuel rushed for 103 yards and 1 td, and qb Tyler Huether passed for 230 yards and rushed for 81 more ... Pierre Odom caught 6 passes for 77 yards and 1 td, Jacques Robinson 5 catches and Alfonso Hoggard 2 grabs ... FSC's Doug Brazill rushed 33 times for 219 yards and 1 td ... Brazill had a big 56-yard run to the 1 yard line in the fourth quarter which set up Fairmont's game-winning score ... FSC was only 3 of 12 passing ... In 1995 Clarion won 48-13 at Fairmont ... Steve Witte rushed for 157 yards and 3 td's, plus caught 4 passes for 85 yards ... Current QB coach Chris Weibel completed 15 of 22 for 219 and 2 td's... Kim Niedbala led the defense with 11 tackles and a fumble caused ... FSC QB Jarrod Fergason completed 18 of 32 for 172 yards and 2 td's ... Teddy Murphy grabbed 8 passes for 82 yards and 2 td's for the Falcons... In 1994 Clarion won 29-19 at Clarion's Memorial Stadium ... Steve Witte once again had 2 td's, 1 rushing and 1 receiving ... Clarion jumped to a big lead right before halftime with a Witte 12-yard td pass from Craig Ray, and then Kim Niedbala posted a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown (24 seconds apart), giving Clarion a 22-7 halftime lead.... Marlon Worthy opened the second half with a 93-yard kickoff return for a td and the Eagles had their first win of 1994... Alim Kamara led the “D” with 14 tackles, 1 tfl', 1 fumble caused and recovered and a sack ... Clint Terza had 13 stops ... Fairmont halfback Thomas Foster rushed for 132 yards on 21 carries in that game ... Fergason hit 18 of 37 passes for 202 yards and 2 td's with 3 int's ... The first game in this series was in 1982 and Clarion won that game as well by a 24-12 margin at Fairmont State... Clarion tailback Geoff Alexander had a career day at Fairmont rushing 30 times for 237 yards and 1 td ... He scored the game's first td on an 80-yard run ... The game was secured with 14:07 left in the fourth qhen QB Dave Dragovich hit Terry McFetridge for a 5-yard td pass for the final margin... Clarion rushed for 319 on the day - Elton Brown also had 66 yards ...... Larry Farrell hit 12 of 34 passes for 249 yards and 2 td's for FSC... John Harbert caught 7 passes for 105 yards for the Falcons... Jeff Chalovich led Clarion's “D” with 14 tackles, 2 break-ups, 1 fumble caused ... Tony Colecchi had 5 hits and Mike May and Jim Trovato had sacks.
