Sporting a 3-2 record and fresh off its 31-27 win over East Stroudsburg, Clarion returns home on Saturday October 6 to host #16 ranked California in the annual Homecoming Day Game, which is also part of the ALF Festival (Autumn Leaf Festival) in Clarion. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
 
            All the game action between Clarion and the Vulcans 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 IN 7^TH SEASON/ CLARION POSTS 3-8 MARK IN 2011
2009 EAGLES 8-3 - 2^ND IN PSAC-WEST – 8^TH IN SUPER REGION 1
 
            Clarion head coach Jay Foster, in his seventh season leading the Golden Eagles, has his team off to a 3-2 start to the 2012 season and is 1-1 in the PSAC-West. The Golden Eagles are riding a two game winning streak, having come from behind to defeat East Stroudsburg last Saturday 31-27 and two weeks ago traveling Gannon and defeating the Golden Knights 13-7. Clarion opened the year with a thrilling 7-0 win over WVIAC foe Fairmont State. A game televised live on ROOT Sports on Thursday, August 30, Clarion took a 7-0 lead in the third quarter when junior qb Ben Fiscus hit freshman Mark Nicholas on a 27-yard td pass. The defense went on to pitch a shutout – including a goal line stand in the final 30-seconds – to post the victory. The Golden Eagles had eight turnovers in game 2 in its 46-26 loss at LIU-Post, despite outgaining the Pioneers in total offense 538-375. Clarion then dropped a hard-fought 22-14 decision at Mercyhurst in the PSAC-West opener for both schools before the win last week at Gannon.
 
            The Golden Eagles were 3-8 in 2011 and posted a 2-5 mark in the rugged PSAC-Western Division. The Golden Eagles won three of their final six games, including wins over Lock Haven (54-6), Gannon (28-21) and Millersville (34-20). Other close losses include a 42-38 setback in the final seconds against Mercyhurst after leading 38-14 in the third quarter, and close losses to Fairmont State (31-17) and Edinboro (21-10).
 
The 2010 Eagles were 4-7 overall and 3-4 in the rugged PSAC-West, while the 2009 squad was 8-3 overall, 6-1 in the West and earned an 8^th place ranking in the NCAA D-II East Region final poll. Coach Foster was named the 2009 PSAC-West “Coach of the Year”. Foster enters the game with a career record of 22-49.
 
#16 CALIFORNIA 4-1 OVERALL/2-0 IN PSAC WEST
 
            California has posted an impressive 4-1 start to the 2012 season under first year head coach Mike Kellar, who took over for long time coach John Luckhardt. Cal opened the season with 36 lettermen and 12 starters returning to a team that went 10-3 last year and was selected for the NCAA D-II Playoffs.
 
            The Vulcans opened 2012 with a 30-22 win over #17 Hillsdale, defeated #11 Kutztown 48-45, Edinboro 24-14 and #14 IUP 26-24 on a last second field goal. Last week the Vulcans were upended by West Chester 37-34.
            Cal has had an impressive record of 56-12 the last five seasons, winning three straight NCAA Division II East Region (Super Region 1) titles from 2007-09. In 2009 Cal lost in the D-II semi's to Northwest Missouri State (56-31), while in 2008 Cal lost to Minnesota-Duluth 45-7 in the semi's, and in 2007 lost to Valdosta State in the D-II semi's 28-24.
 
CAL LEADS ALL-TIME SERIES 40-38-3 DATNG BACK TO 1927
            The all-time series between the two schools has Cal leading 40-38-3 in games dating back to 1927. In the past 17 years Cal has a narrow 10-7 lead and has spawned some great games over the years. Last year Cal defeated Clarion 40-13 at Cal, while in 2010 Cal won 24-9, but led 17-9 until the final two minutes. Three years ago the two teams played a classic at Adamson Stadium that the Vulcans won 35-31. Clarion wins over that span came in 1995 (20-10), 1996 (45-14), 1999 (28-14), 2000 (32-28), 2001 (29-22), 2002 (31-6) and 35-34 in 2004. The last Clarion win in 2004 came on Clarion's version of “The Play”, as qb Brandon Dando tossed a 47-yard “Hail Mary” pass on the game's final play to win. Cal meanwhile won 24-9 last year, 35-31 in 2009, 52-20 in 2008, 56-0 in 2007, 41-14 in 2006, and 43-7 in 2005. Other Cal wins during the last 17 years came in 1997 (30-0), 1998 (30-28), 2003 (13-7).
 
CLARION OFFENSE AVERAGING 379.6 YARDS & 18.2 PPG IN 2012
 
            The Clarion offense rolled up 514 yards against ESU last week and 538 yards against LIU-Post earlier in the season. The Eagles are now averaging 379.6 (#11 in PSAC) yards of total offense per game including 202.6 rushing yards (#4 in the PSAC) and 177 passing yards (#10 in the PSAC).
 
QB BEN FISCUS LEADS OFFENSE
 
            Junior signal caller Ben Fiscus (Jr. Indiana), the PSAC-West Offensive Player of the Week” vs ESU,  leads Clarion's offense. Fiscus has rushed for 450 yards and 2 td's (record 88 yd td run at LIU-Post), while completing 72 of 135 passes for 885 yards and 7 td's. Since earning the starting qb spot midway through 2010 Fiscus has rushed for 1,769 yards (12^th at Clarion) and 13 td's on 361 attempts. Next up on the list is Steve Nolan (1,807 yards – 1971-74). He has now passed for 2,746 career yards (234 of 468) and 19 td's.  In 2011 Ben was Clarion's leading rusher and ranked 10^th in the PSAC in rushing with 737 yards and 5 td's on 155 attempts (10 games). He also hit on 100 of 207 passes for 1,148 yards and 5 td's. He rushed for 204 yards and 2 td's against Lock Haven. The backup is Anthony Omogrosso (So. Beaver Falls).
 
REID, NICHOLAS, PERRY & BECOATE LEAD RECEIVERS
 
            Ready to catch passes from Fiscus will be junior Jon Reid (Stafford, Va.), Aaron Barlow (Sr. Ambridge), Anthony Becoate (Sr. McKeesport), Mark Nicholas (Fr. Export/Franklin Regional) and Nick Perry (Fr. Bumpass, Va.).
 
            Reid leads the team with 23 catches for 384 yards and 2 td's, and also led the team in 2011 with 24 grabs for 281 yards and 2 td's. Reid caught 9 aerials for 212 yards against LIU-Post this year, the 212 yards tied for third most in a single game with Tom Kurts who had 212 vs Shippensburg in 1967. Barlow has 14 catches for 130 yards, while Becoate has 5 catches for 56 yards. He clutched 13 aerials for 186 yards and 1 td last year and now has career totals of 33 catches, 445 yards, 4 td's. Nicholas and Perry are true freshmen. Nicholas has 4 catches for 39 yards and 2 td's, while Perry has 8 grabs for 74 yards.
 
            Also expected to see action are Caleb Mancini (So. Beaver Falls/Blackhawk) and Garrett Sigler (Fr. Ford City), along with tight ends Rob Irwin (Jr. Bellefonte), Mike Deitrick (So. Upper St. Clair) and Evan Mastele (Jr. Pgh – North Catholic).
 
THOMAS LOOKS TO KEY RUNNING BACKS IN 2012
 
            Former safety turned running back Bobby Thomas (So. Reading/Exeter Twp.), has had a very successful debut in 2012. Thomas leads the team with 113 rushes for 502 yards and 3 td's (Ranks #6 in PSAC at 100.4) while also catching 5 passes for 47 yards. Thomas rushed for 158 yards and 1 td at LIU-Post. Last year at safety he posted 38 tackles and 1 tfl as a red-shirt freshman. He will be backed up by Travis Day (Fr. Hempfield),  Chris Liberto (Fr. Springdale) and Cameron Dixon (So. Elizabeth Forward).
 
FELKER, VERCELLI, PERFILIO LEAD OFFENSIVE LINE
 
            The “O” line has three talented starters returning in captain and tackle Mike Felker (6-4, 280, Jr. Gibsonia/Pine Richland), guard Andrew Vercelli (Sr. Gibsonia/Deer Lakes) and center Terrance Perfilio (Jr. Farrell). Felker in his third season as a starter and 2010 PSAC-West selection, while Vercelli was a PSAC-West choice in 2011. Perfilio had several starts at center a year ago and is a 2-year letterwinner. Also starting up front are Ryan Barrick (So. Easton)  at tackle and either Matt Kundick (So. Beaver) or Eli Rupert (Sr. Indiana-Apollo Ridge) at the other guard spot. Also seeing time will be Tyler Edwards (So. Ambridge) at tackle, Shane Cress (Fr. Mars) and at guards and Andrew Moore (Jr. Brashear) and Cameron Cress (Fr. Mars) at center.
 
8 STARTERS RETURN ON IMPROVED EAGLE DEFENSE
 
            The Golden Eagles return 8 starters from last year's unit, as well as some quality young players to provide quality overall depth for 2012. Clarion is yielding 320.6 yards per game (#3 in the PSAC) including 147.7 rushing (#8 in  PSAC)  and 172.8 passing yards (#4 in the PSAC). 
 
DEFENSIVE FRONT LOOKS SOLID
 
            Clarion's defensive line has been strong in the first two games. Paving the way up front are Julian Howsare (So. Altoona), Adam Bostick (Jr. Lititz), Jacob Heintz (So. Pine-Richland), Sean Motley (Sr. West Mifflin), Matt Shuey (So. Johnsonburg), Andrew Fragale (Fr. Emporium/Cameron County and Ryan Slack (Sr. Norwin). Howsare had 4 sacks and 8 hits against ESU and won his second consecutive PSAC West P.O.W. Award.  Howsare has 23 hits, 7 tfl's and 6 sacks this year, to go with 29 tackles, 4 sacks and 7 tfl's last year. Bostick has 11 tackles, 4 tfl's, 3 sacks, 2 pass breakups and 1 interception. Heintz (14 hits, 5 tfl's), Motley (2 tfl's, 1 sack), Shuey (13 stops, 3 tfl's), Fragale (16 hits, 5 tfl's, 3 sacks) and Slack (2 tfl's).
 
SIPES & PALMIERE ANCHOR CLARION LINEBACKERS
 
            The strength of the Clarion defense might well be in its linebacking corps. It doesn't get much better than Nate Sipes (Sr. Curwensville) and sophomore Brian Palmiere (So. Tarentum/Deer Lakes). Sipes posted and Palmiere lead the team with 38 tackles. Palmiere has 4 tfl's and Sipes 1. Sipes was an All PSAC-West selection in 2011 leading the team and finishing #3 in the PSAC with 99 tackles. He also chipped in with 4 tfl's, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries and 2 break-ups. Palmiere meanwhile had a strong season as a true freshman posting 43 hits, 5 sacks, 12 tfl's, 1 fumble recovery and 1 fumble caused in 9 games.
 
Also expecting to see some time are Jared Davis (Fr. Pgh – Allderdice) and Rocco Yauger (Fr. Penn Trafford).
 
STIMAC & PARONISH LEAD TALENTED EAGLE SECONDARY
 
            Senior corner Anthony Stimac (East Brady/Karns City) and safety Andrew Paronish (Sr. Hastings/Northern Cambria) lead a quality secondary in 2012. Paronish, the PSAC-West “Defensive Player of the Week” against Fairmont, has 24 tackles, 2 fumbles caused, 1 recovered and an interception. He had 41 stops, 2 tfl's, 1 fumble recovery and 1 fumble caused in 2011 and has career numbers showing 135 tackles, 3 int's, 2 tfl's.
 
Stimac, a team captain in 2012, is third on the team with 27 hits. He is a three-year starter who holds the Clarion record for longest interception return for a td, which was a 100-yard return at Slippery Rock a year ago. Stimac had 54 hits, 2 int's, 2 tfl's and 2 beak-ups in 2012. In his career he has posted 115 tackles and 2 int's.
 
            Also leading the secondary are transfer Kyle McWreath (So. Washington/Trinity HS),  Mike Zak (Jr. Orchard Park, N.Y.), Peter Rivera (So. Allentown/Bethlehem Catholic), Malik King (Fr. Coraopolis/Cornell), Matt Long (Jr. Pgh – North Catholic), Tyler Tucker (So. Westside, Tx.) and Kwaku Asamoah (Fr. Indiana). Zak has 9 tackles, 1 tfl and 1 fumble caused, with Long collecting 20 jolts, 4 tfl's and 2 break-ups. McWreath has 19 stops and 3 tfl's, King 13 hits and 1 int and Asamoah 5 tackles.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS WELCOME BACK CONWAY
 
            The Clarion special teams will be anchored again by punter Nathan Conway (Jr. Lock Haven/Central Mountain), who will also double as the Clarion placekicker in 2012.
 
            Conway, in his third year as the starter (2009, 2011) at punter, is averaging 35.8 yards per punt. Last year he averaged 35.2 yards per punt, but the average was a bit deceiving – pointed out coach Foster. Conway booted 16 punts inside the 20, and had 14 punts fair caught.  He averaged 37.9 yards per punt as a freshman in 2009.
 
CALIFORNIA OFFENSE AVERAGING 468.6 YARDS PER GAME
 
            The California offense is extremely potent averaging 31.6 points and 468.6 yards per game (#3 in the PSAC). The Vulcans are getting 113.6 rushing yards (#12 in the PSAC) and 355 passing yards (#2 in the PSAC) per game.
 
            The offense is led by veteran qb Peter Lalich, who has completed 133 of 215 passes for 1,775 yards and 14 td's. He ranks #2 in passing yards in the entire PSAC.
 
            The receiving corps is strong behind Mike Williams (36 catches, 539 yards, 4 td's), Lamont Smith (15 grabs, 128 yards), Trey Johnson (24 receptions, 293 yards, 4 td's) and tight end Blake Willliamson (20 catches, 165 yards).
 
            Toting the pigskin will be running backs Lamont Smith,  Cody Cook and Jeff Knox Jr.  Smith leads the team with 348 yards and 2 td's on 80 carries, while Cook has 145 yards and 1 td on 35 tries. Knox has rushed for 91 yards and 4 td's.
 
CAL DEFENSE YIELDING 409 YARDS PER GAME
 
            The California defense is yielding 409 yards and 28 points per game. Opponents are rushing for 143.2 yards (#7 in the PSAC) and passing for 265.8 yards (#9 in the PSAC) per outing.
 
            Cal's defense is led up front by Paul Everson (10 tackles, 3 tfl's), Kenny Smith (12 hits, 2 tfl's), BJ Stevens (25 stops, 7.5 tfl's, 5.5 sacks) and Jason Kates (15 hits, 1.5 tfl's).
 
            The linebackers are tough with Brett Diamond (41 stops), James Carr (16 tackles, 2 tfl's), Spencer Lynn (14 hits) and Brian Justice (33 stops, 3.5 tfl's).
 
            The secondary features All-American Rontez Miles (46 tackles, 2 int's), Jeff Knox (27 jolts), Greg Cochrane (33 tackles, 1 int.) and Rodney Gillin (15 stops).
 
 
CLARION NOTES:   CALIFORNIA SERIES NOTES: 2011 - Cal won 40-13 at Cal … A game that was scoreless deep into the second quarter, Cal exploded for 20 points in the final 5:32 of the second quarter to take a 20-0 lead… John Fuhrer and Ben Fiscus scored on td runs of 3 and 10 yards … Fiscus was 10 of 21 passing for 122 yards, plus ran for 45 yards and 1 td … Cal QB Peter Lalich was 23 of 32 for 350 yards and 3 td's, and Lamont Smith rushed for 155 yards … (2010) Cal defeated Clarion 24-9 at Memorial Stadium … Clarion led 7-3 at halftime on a 1-yard pass from Eric Coxon to Jacques Robinson in the second quarter … Cal took a 17-7 lead in the third on a Cherry 8-yd td pass from Josh Portis and a Jordan Scott 1-yard run … Clarion's Adam Bostick tackled Lamont Smith in the endzone for a safety at 8:32 of the fourth … Cal's Harris intercepted a Coxon pass on the next drive and Smith scored on a 6-yard run to put the game away with 2:46 remaining… Smith rushed for 185 yards and 1 td – Portis completed 22 of 30 for 201 yards and 1 td – Cherry caught 8 for 110 and 1 td … Clarion's Jacques Robinson had 3 catches for 50 yadr and 1 td … Clarion's Nick Sipes had 17 tackles to lead the “D” …  (2009 Cal rallied to defeat Clarion 35-31 at Adamson Stadium) - was a true indicator that the Clarion – Cal game will always be interesting… The Golden Eagles came in as heavy underdogs, and nearly pulled off the big upset losing 35-31 in a game that went to the final play… The game had 7 lead changes … Clarion looked like they might have the upset when Tyler Huether hit Jacques Robinson on a 44-yard td pas with 4:04 to play… Cal went ahead with 1:01 left on a 47-yard td pas from Portis to Cherry… Clarion drove to the Cal 27 and tried a game-winning pass on the final play, but the pass was intercepted by Mike Brown… Robinson had 9 catches for 123 yards and 1 td … Huether passed for 271 yards and 2 td's and Hoggard ran for 50 and 1 td… Portis hit on 13 of 23 passes for 201 yards and 3 td's … Moore had 5 grabs for 84 yards and 2 td's, and Cherry, who was held to 2 catches, had 70 total yards and the final td catch.
In 2008 at Clarion the Golden Eagles lost 52-20 - The games was close into the third quarter ... Robert Mamula's 25-yard field goal at 12:10 of the third had Clarion trailing 17-6, but Cal responded with three td's to put the game away ... Gino Rometo completed 18 of 29 for 213 yards and 1 td ... Jacques Robinson grabbed 9 passes for 152 yards and 1 td ... Eddie Emmanuel rushed for 103 yards ... Cal's Brandon Lombardy rushed for 106 yards and 1 td and QB Kevin McCabe hit on 12 of 17 for 164 and 2 td's ... In the 2006 game Cal was ahead 21-0 in the third quarter when Clarion rallied with two td's to make it 21-14... Huether scored on a 7-yard run and Kyle Mahoney caught a 13-yard td pass from Huether ... A bad punt snap gave Cal the ball at the Clarion 4 and the Vulcans scored immediately to make it 28-14 with 11:39 left  ... The Vulcans added 2 late td's to make it 41-14... In 2005 Cal jumped out to a 43-0 halftime lead and defeat Clarion 43-7 … Antoine Bagwell rushed for 204 yard and 4 td's to lead Cal … In 2004 when Clarion won 35-34 on the final play, Clarion outgained Cal 448-442... Cal led 7-6 at halftime, but the two teams combined for 56 second half points ... Clarion scored two td's in the final 1:13... Dando scored on a 2-yard run with 1:13 left, the “D” held on three downs, then the “O” took over at the Clarion 44 with 19-seconds left... Dando hit Pierre Odom for 9-yards to the Cal 47 setting up the game-wining td pass... Clarion had 222 rushing yards and 226 passing yards ... qb Brandon Dando completed 17 of 32 passes for 226 yards and 1 td ... Glenn Lovelace rushed for 164 yards and 2 td's on 23 carries ... Joe Farkas had 5 grabs for 81 yards and 1 td ... Cal rushed for 170 yards and passed for 272 ... Bagwell gained 191 yards and 2 td's on 21 attempts ... Ruggiero was 1 for 3 for -2 yards before suffering a season ending injury ... Matt Humbert completed 15 of 27 passes for 274 yards and 2 td's ... Marc Huddleston had 8 catches for 92 yards, while Claude Whitacre had 5 catches for 148 yards and 2 td's ... In 2003 at Cal's Adamson Stadium the Vulcans rallied in the fourth quarter for a 13-7 win over Clarion ... Wes Clemons scored on a 2-yard run with 11:09 left to win the game ... Clarion outgained Cal 316-160 and outrushed Cal 250-60, but 3 lost fumbles and an interception that spelled defeat for Clarion ... Brandon Dando had his first collegiate start and rushed for 80 yards on 20 carries, and completed 9 of 22 for 66 yards... QB John Aitken was 10 of 24 for 100 yards... In 2002 Clarion rushed for 265 yards, outgained Cal 351-136 and held the ball for 39:07 in the 31-6 win over Cal... Brandon Sweeney blocked a punt in the second quarter that teammate Brandon Whitman caught in mid-air and returned 5 yards for a td to give Clarion a 14-6 halftime lead... Clarion added 17 unanswered second half points ...  Robert Walker rushed for 169 yards and 2 td's on 27 carries... Adam Almashy hit 5 of 14 passes for 86 yards and 1 td... Cal's Wesley Clemons gained 35 yards on 12 carries... QB Brandon LeDonne completed 3 of 26 passes for 81 yards... Four years ago (2001) Clarion topped the Vulcans 29-22 at Memorial Stadium ... The Eagles rallied from a 22-14 halftime deficit with a third quarter td from Glenn Lovelace and a 2-yard run in the fourth from Demetric Gardner with 9:01 left... Clarion outgained Cal 362-292 ... Adam Almashy ran for 120 yards and 2 td's and completed 2 of 9 passes for 52 yards ... Cal QB LeDonne completed 7 of 20 passes for 80 yards, while Strayer came on and was 2 for 2 for 78 yards and 1 td... In 2000 at Cal the Eagles won 32-28... Clarion had 422 yards to Cal's 350 ... Almashy completed 11 of 24 passes for 177 yards ... Mike McCullum grabbed 4 for 104, including a 75-yarder to the Cal 16 with about one minute to play, setting up Almashy's game-winning 2-yard run with 46-seconds left... Clarion's defense caused a critical Cal fumble in that game at the Clarion 6 yard line prior to the game-winning td drive... Dennis Yu recovered the fumble with 1:50 remaining in the game ... Cal All-America running back Wesley Cates rushed for a game high 182 yards and 2 td's on 26 carries.