Clarion's football team will be on the road for the third straight week when the Golden Eagles travel to Gannon this Saturday, September 22, for a game against the Golden Knights. Kickoff at University Field is set for 6pm.
 
            All the game action between Clarion and Gannon can be heard on the Golden Eagle radio  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 1-2 start to the 2012 season. Clarion opened the year with an exciting 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. Last week Clarion dropped a hard-fought 22-14 decision at Mercyhurst in the PSAC-West opener for both schools.
 
            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 20-49.
 
GANNON 1-2 OVERALL/0-1 IN PSAC-WEST IN 2012
 
            The Golden Knights enter the game with a 1-2 overall record and an 0-1 mark in the PSAC-Western Division under first year head coach Brad Rzyczycki. The Knights opened 2012 with a come-from-behind 36-33 win over Lake Erie College, traveled to West Chester and lost a close 21-17 decision, then lost the PSAC-West opener 38-18 at Slippery Rock last Saturday.
 
            Rzyczycki is no stranger to Gannon football. He spent the last five years as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator with the Knights. Prior to that he was the defensive coordinator at Kentucky Wesleyan for four seasons. Coach Rzyczycki is a 1995 grad of Mercyhurst and played for the Lakers from 1991-94.
 
            Gannon was 4-7 last year overall and 3-4 in the PSAC-West, while the 2010 squad was 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the Western Division.
 
CLARION LEADS SERIES 3-1 SINCE 2008
 
           Although the series only started in 2008 between the two schools, all four games in this series have been exciting. Last year Clarion defeated Gannon 28-21 at Memorial Stadium. QB Ben Fiscus scored on a 1-yard run with 8-minutes left which provided the winning margin. Two years ago at Gannon the Golden Eagles won 11-10 when Fiscus scored on a 20-yard run with 4:39 left in the fourth quarter. In 2009 Clarion won at Memorial Stadium 42-21 behind a 4-td performance from Alfonso Hoggard. In 2008 Gannon defeated Clarion 31-24 in a game that wasn't decided until the game's final play. Clarion trailed 31-24 late in the game, but had the pigskin on the Gannon 26-yard line with only 15-seconds remaining. The Golden Eagles took 4 shots into the endzone, but all failed and Gannon held on for the win.
 
 CLARION OFFENSE AVERAGING 370.7 YARDS & 15.7 PPG IN 2012
 
            The Clarion offense is averaging 370.7 yards of total offense per game including 178 rushing yards and 192.7 passing yards per game in 2012.
 
QB BEN FISCUS LEADS OFFENSE
 
            Junior signal caller Ben Fiscus (Jr. Indiana) will lead Clarion's offense. Fiscus has rushed for 189 yards and 2 td's (record 88 yd td run at LIU-Post), while completing 46 of 83 passes for 578 yards and 4 td's. Since earning the starting qb spot midway through 2010 Fiscus has rushed for 1,508 yards (13^th at Clarion) and 13 td's on 327 attempts. Next up on the list is Glenn Lovelace (1,558 yds – 2001-2004). He has now passed for 2,277 career yards (208 of 416) and 16 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 & BEACOATE LEAD RECEIVERS
 
            Ready to catch passes from Fiscus will be junior Jon Reid (Stafford, Va.), Anthony Becoate (Sr. McKeesport), Mark Nicholas (Fr. Export/Franklin Regional), Nick Perry (Fr. Bumpass, Va.) and Aaron Barlow (Sr. Ambridge).
 
            Reid leads the team with 17 catches for 321 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. The 212 yards tied for third most in a single game with Tom Kurts who had 212 vs Shippensburg in 1967. Becoate has 2 catches for 23 yards while clutching 13 aerials for 186 yards and 1 td last year and now has career totals of 30 catches, 412 yards, 4 td's. Nicholas and Perry are true freshmen. Nicholas has 4 catches for 39 yards and 3 td's, while Perry had 7 grabs for 57 yards and Barlow 8 receptions, 61 yards.
 
            Also expected to see action are 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 his first three weeks. Thomas leads the team with 63 rushes for 307 yards and 1 td (Ranks #6 in PSAC at 102.3) while also catching 4 passes for 39 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 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 Matt Kundick (So. Beaver) 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 362.3 yards per game including 186 rushing and 176.3 passing yards.  
 
DEFENSIVE FRONT LOOKS SOLID
 
            Clarion's defensive line has been strong in the first two games. Paving the way up front are Adam Bostick (Jr. Lititz), Jacob Heintz (So. Pine-Richland), Sean Motley (Sr. West Mifflin), Matt Shuey (So. Johnsonburg), Ryan Slack (Sr. Norwin) and Julian Howsare (So. Altoona). Bostick has 5 tackles, 2 tfl's, 1 pass breakup and 1 interception. Heintz (6 hits, 2 tfl's), Motley (2 tfl's, 1 sack), Shuey (6 stops), Slack (2 jolts, 1 tfl), and Julian Howsare (9 hits, 1 sack). Howsare had 29 tackles, 4 sacks and 7 tfl's in 2011.
 
            Red-shirt freshmen Brandon Short (New Brighton) and Andrew Fragale (Fr. Emporium/Cameron County – 10 stops, 2 tfl's) will also see plenty of time.
 
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 is second on the team with 23 tackles, while Palmiere leads the “D” with 25 tackles and 2 tfl's. 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), Eddie Kurtz (Fr. Avonworth) 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 18 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 129 tackles, 3 int's, 2 tfl's.
 
            Stimac, a team captain in 2012, is fourth on the team with 17 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 105 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 6 tackles, 1 tfl and 1 fumble caused, with Long collecting 11 jolts, 1 tfl and 2 break-ups. McWreath has 12 stops and 2 tfl's, King 6 hits and 2 break-ups and Asamoah 3 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 34.6 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.
 
GANNON OFFENSE AVERAGING 381.3 YDS & 23.7PPG
 
            The Gannon offense is averaging 381.3 yards of offense and 23.7 points per contest in 2012. The Knights are getting 43.7 rushing yards and 337.7 passing yards per game.
 
            Calling the signals is red-shirt freshman quarterback Liam Nadler. The 6'7” – 225-pound freshman has hit on 80 of 142 passes for 1,012 yards and 7 td's with 7 interceptions. He is averaging 47 pass attempts per game, including 63 pass attempts last week against S.R. He was 35 of 63 for 325 yards and 1 td.
 
            The receiving corps will be led by Abraham Ocasio and multi-talented Justin Caliste, along with Joe Sobucki and Quad Law.
 
            Ocasio leads the team with 24 catches for 346 yards and 4 td's, while Caliste is right behind with 22 grabs for 288 yars and 1 td. Caliste, a dangerous return specialist, has returned 4 punts for 55 yards and 9 kickoffs for 198 yards. Sobucki has 11 receptions for 154 yards and 1 td and Law has clutched 11 aerials for 145 yards and 1 td.
 
            The running game will be led by Alex Papson (27 carries – 74 yards) and Jansen Jones (25 attempts – 59 yards, 1 td).
 
            Placekicker Matt Szczupakowski has connected on 5 of 5 field goal attempts and 6 of 6 PAT's.
 
GANNON DEFENSE YIELDING 330.7 YARDS & 30.7 PPG. IN 2012
 
            Gannon's defense is limiting opponents to 330.7 yards of total offense, but the enemy is notching 30.7 points per game. The opposition is rushing for 147.7 yards per game and 183 passing yards a contest.
 
            The Knights play a 4-3 defense. Up front the tackles are Ian Jeffers (17 hits, 1 tfl) and Sean Herron (4 stops, 1 tfl), with ends Matt Jones (20 jolts, 1 tfl) and Trenton Donald (9 tackles, 1.5 tfl's).
 
            Anchoring the middle of the Knight defense are linebackers Will Giles (22 hits, 5.5 tfl's), Jon Petrigac (20 jolts) and Luke Rankie (18 tackles, 1 tfl).
 
            The secondary has leading tackler Khayree Connors-McChristian with 23 stops and 3 tfl's. Also protecting the back line are corners Ta'Von Bailey (16 tackles, 2 tfl's), Mike Phillips (16 hits) and free safety Jesstin Hamm (3 tackles.
  
            CLARION NOTES:  Clarion qb Ben Fiscus is ranked 13^th in career rushing with 1,508 yards .. Next up on the list is Glenn Lovelace (1,558 yds – 2001-2004)… Fiscus is the #1 career rushing qb at Clarion passing Adam Almashy (1999-2002) who had 1,339 yards during his career.
           
CLARION – GANNON SERIES: CLARION LEADS SERIES 3-1 --- 2011 – CLARION 28 GANNON 21 --- the 2011 game was tied 14-14 at halftime … Clarion went in front 21-14 in the third quarter when Brandon Akins ran 32-yadrs for a score… then in the fourth, with 8:43 left – Ben Fiscus capped an 80-yard drive with a 1-yard td run to put the Eagles in front 28-14 … Gannon scored on a Jerry Smith 2 yard pass from Ty Watson with 49-seconds left – Clarion recovered the onside kick … Clarion had 421 yards of offense – including 247 rushing … Patrick Graham-Murphy had 155 rushing yards and 1 td … Fiscus completed 11 of 18 aerials for 174 yards and 1 td … Clarion's defense held Gannon to -14 rushing yards on 21 attempts … Alex Papson had 9 carries for -5 yards … Jansen Jones had 5 carries for 19 … Dan Tapscott completed 17 of 27 passes for 266 yards and 2 td's … 2010 Clarion won 11-10 in a wild game … Clarion had a first quarter safety to lead 2-0 … Gannon's Chris cook intercepted a Fiscus pass at the goal line and returned it 100 yards for a td … Eagle kicker Robert mamula set a new school record with a 50-yard field goal before the half to make the score 7-5 Gannon… The Knights Jeremy Ditzler booted a 30-yard field goal to make it 10-5, before Clarion qb Fiscus scored on a 20-yard run with 4:39 left to win the game… Alfonso haggard rushed for 119 yards and caught 3 passes for 16 yards…  Clarion won the 2009 game 42-21 … Clarion outgained Gannon 365-355 …Clarion outrushed Gannon 217-120, but Gannon won the air war 235-148 … It was Clarion's Alfonso Hoggard who made the difference… He rushed for 134 yards and 3 td's on runs of 7, 1 and 41 yards … He also returned a kickoff 87-yards for a td on his way to 257 yards of total offense… Jacques Robinson grabbed 9 passes for 83 yards and Tyler Huether completed 15 of 22 for 148 yards … Gannon's Jon Richardson rushed for 68 yards and 1 td … qb Zach Boedicker completed 13 of 23 passes for 134 yards and 1 td … Gannon won the 2008 game at Gannon 31-24 … The Knights outgained Clarion 309-247... The Eagles outdistanced Gannon in passing 208-175, but Gannon won the ground war 134-39... Clarion qb Gino Rometo completed 20 of 40 for 208 yards and 2 td's ... Hoggard grabbed 9 passes for 59 yards and 1 td, with Jacques Robinson getting 5 catches for 45 yards and 1 score... Boedicker was 4 of 9 for 94 yards, and Richardson rushed for 83 yards and 2 td's... Gannon led 28-10 in the third quarter when Clarion defensive end John Hackel scooped up a Gannon fumble and raced 46-yards for a Clarion td to make in 28-17... After Gannon kicked a field goal to make it 31-17, The Eagles cut the lead to 31-24 when Rometo hit Jacques Robinson for 20-yards and a td with 5:10 remaining in the game ... Clarion had their next drive stopped at the Gannon 21 on downs, then got the ball back with 44-seconds left and drove again into scoring position... A 33-yard pass from Rometo to Matt Foradora to the Gannon 26 had Clarion with a first down with about 15 seconds left.... Rometo lofted four passes into the endzone, the final one as time ran out, and Gannon defended all four to preserve the win.