CLARION (4-6) VISITS #17 WEST CHESTER (9-1) IN SEASON FINALE
 
            The final football game of the 2013 regular season is here. The Golden Eagles travel to West Chester and play the Golden Rams, ranked 17^th in the latest NCAA D-II Poll, this Saturday, November 16, with kickoff set for Noon at John a. Farrell Stadium.
 
            Eleven seniors will be playing their final game in blue and gold and they are Adam Bostick (DE, Lititz/Manheim Twp.), Nathan Conway (P, Lock Haven/Central Mountain), Mark Divins (OG, Clarion), Mike Felker (OT, Gibsonia/Pine-Richland), Ben Fiscus (QB, Indiana), Matt Long (S – Pgh. North Catholic), Evan Mastele (TE, Pgh. North Catholic), Terrance Perfilio (OC/OT, Farrell), Jon Reid (WR, Stafford, Va.), Ren Yonker (S, Johnsonburg) and Mike Zak (S, Orchard Park, N.Y.).
 
            All the game action between Clarion and West Chester 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 8^TH SEASON/ CLARION 4-6; 2-5
2009 EAGLES 8-3 - 2^ND IN PSAC-WEST – 8^TH IN SUPER REGION 1

            Clarion eighth year head coach Jay Foster saw his Golden Eagles open the 2013 season with three straight wins, then lose four games, split the last two home games and lose a last minute game at Edinboro to post a 4-6 overall mark and a 2-5 record in the PSAC-West.
 
            In the 2013 season opener at Memorial Stadium, freshman placekicker Phil Esposito booted a game-tying field goal on the last play of regulation, then the Golden Eagles won in overtime 39-38. In week two Clarion returned to Memorial Stadium and defeated Lock Haven 30-13, while the Golden Eagles edged Mercyhurst 20-13 in week three also at home. Week four saw Clarion host Gannon in the annual ALF Homecoming game and Clarion lost 45-25 to the Golden Knights. On the road for three weeks, Clarion lost to East Stroudsburg (48-28), California (35-7) and Slippery Rock (34-13), but came home to the friendly confines of Memorial Stadium to defeat Seton Hill 41-2. Two weeks ago Clarion lost 42-14 to IUP on Senior Day, and last week visited Edinboro and lost a tough 9-7 decision.
 
            The Golden Eagles were 4-7 overall last year and 2-5 in the PSAC-Western Division. Wins came against Fairmont State (7-0), Gannon (13-7), East Stroudsburg (31-27) and Lock Haven (30-28).
 
            The 2011 Golden Eagles were 3-8 overall and 2-5 in the West, while the team was 4-7 in 2010 and 3-4 in the PSAC-West. Clarion's top year under Foster came in 2009 when Clarion was 8-3 overall, 6-1 in the West and finished the year ranked 8^th in the final NCAA Division II East Region Poll. Foster was named the PSAC-Western Division "Coach of the Year" for his efforts. Foster enters the game with a career record of 27-60.
 
 
WEST CHESTER RANKED #17 IN DIVISION II – 9-1 OVERALL
 
            West Chester enters Saturday's game with a 9-1 overall record and a 6-1 mark in the PSAC-East. The Golden Rams won their first nine games of 2013 and were ranked #8 in the nation entering last Saturday's game against Bloomsburg. The Huskies traveled to WC and defeated the Rams 31-28.
 
            West Chester's nine wins came against New Haven (45-14), Gannon (56-41), Millersville (48-3), Kutztown (22-21), California (38-31), Eat Stroudsburg (34-20), Lock Haven (34-13, Shippensburg (32-29) and Cheyney (66-14).
 
            The Golden Rams are led by 11^th year head coach Bill Zwaan. Zwaan has put together a career record of 86-44 at West Chester including PSAC-East titles in 2004, 2007 and 2008.
 
WEST CHESTER LEADS OVERALL SERIES 19-3

            The series between the two schools has West Chester leading 19-3 in games dating back to 1960. West Chester won that first game in 1960 by a 49-14 margin. Clarion defeated West Chester in 1966 in the PSAC Championship game 28-26, then lost to the Rams the next season 27-7 again in the PSAC title game. Clarion defeated West Chester in 2000 (28-21) and in 2002 (34-28). West Chester has won the last six games including a 35-17 win in 2003, a 20-17 victory at Memorial Stadium in 2004 and a 43-14 win at West Chester in 2005, a 49-21 win at Clarion in 2006, another 49-21 win at West Chester in 2007 and last year's 33-12 win at Clarion.
 
CLARION OFFENSE GETTING 321.8 YARDS & 22.4 PPG IN 2013
 
            The Clarion offense is averaging 321.8 yards of total offense per game in 2013, including 180.4 yards on the ground and 141.3 through the air. Clarion ranks 11^th in total offense, 7^th in rushing offense and 15^th in passing offense.
 
QB DARELLE CARSON DIRECTS THE OFFENSE
 
            Senior signal caller Ben Fiscus (Sr. Indiana) was sidelined in the second quarter OF GAME TWO against Lock Haven and missed the remainder of the 2013 season with a leg injury. Red-shirt freshman qb Darelle Carson (Pgh – Perry) has started the last eight games and played in 9 straight since relieving Fiscus. Carson's backup is freshman Matt Futkos (Youngstown, Oh./Fitch).
 
            Carson has completed 81 of 179 passes for 1,084 yards and 5 td's with 7 interceptions. Carson, an excellent athlete, has also rushed for 535 yards and 6 td's on 142 carries. Futkos has completed 2 of 6 attempts for -3 yards and rushed for 58 yards.
 
            Fiscus, A Third Team FB Gazette Super Region 1 and First Team PSAC-West choice a year ago, had completed 24 of 40 passes for 338 yards and 4 td's with 0 interceptions and rushed for 90 yards and 2 td's. In four years Fiscus has rushed for 2,087 yards and 18 td's on 460 carries, while completing 386 of 756 passes for 4,679 yards and 31 td's. He ranks 8^th at Clarion in career rushing yards, 8^th in rushing attempts, 4^th in passing attempts, 3rd in completions and 7^th in passing yards.
 
REID, NICHOLAS & DEITRICK TOP RETURNING RECEIVERS
 
            Expecting to catch passes from Carson will be senior Jon Reid (Stafford, Va.), sophomore Mark Nicholas (So. Export/Franklin Regional) and Mike Deitrick (Jr. Upper St. Clair). 
 
            Reid has 8 catches for 102 yards, while Nicholas has 15 catches for 285 yards and 3 td's, with Deitrick posting 23 grabs for 223 yards and 2 td's.
 
            Reid led the team in 212 with 52 catches, for 849 yards and 2 td's. Combined with 24 catches for 281 yards and 2 td's in 2011, Reid has grabbed 84 career passes for 1,232 yards and 5 td's. Nicholas caught 7 passes for 94 yards and 2 td's in 2012 as a true freshman. Deitrick, a veteran tight end, caught 12 aerials for 163 yards and 1 td last season.
 
            Also seeing plenty of time are wideouts Caleb Mancini (Jr. Beaver Falls/Blackhawk), Enrico Canello (So. Keystone Oaks), red-shirt freshman Matt Lehman (Burrell) and freshman Eric Frye (Pgh – Perry).  Mancini has 12 catches for 186 yards, Lehman 12 receptions for 154 yards and 1 td, Frye 6 grabs for 154 yards and 2 td's and Canello 4 catches for 20 yards.
 
THOMAS RETURNS TO KEY RUNNING BACKS IN 2013
 
            Junior Bobby Thomas (Reading/Exeter Twp.) is having a strong season at running back in 2013. He leads the team with 663 yards and 6 td's on 156 carries (4.2 p/c). In 2012 he played in 6 games (injured the other 5) and rushed for  534 yards on 124 carries with 3 td's. He has 1,197 career rushing yards and 9 td's on 280 tries. His top game was 25 carries, 156 yards and 1 td versus LIU-Post in 2012.
 
            Sophomore Travis Day (So. Hempfield) will also see plenty of time. Day, a multi-purpose back, has rushed for 273 yards and 4 td's, while also catching 6 passes for 82 yards this season. Last year he rushed for 295 yards and 3 td's on 62 carries last year. Also expected to see some time is Chris Liberto (So. Springdale) – 27 carries, 102 yards, 1 td.
 
FELKER & KUNDICK LEAD TALENTED OFFENSIVE LINE
 
            The "O" line has been a little banged up since Fall camp started, but continues to play well overall. Leading the "O" line are captain and left tackle Mike Felker (6-4, 285, Sr. Gibsonia/Pine Richland) and left guard Matt Kundick (6-2, 270, Jr. Beaver). Felker in his fourth year as a starter, has been a second team PSAC-West choice in 2012 and 2010. Also a Capital One First Team Academic All-District 1 choice, Mike has started all 43 games in his career. Kundick, a starter at left guard in 2012, returns to solidify the left side. He  missed two games but saw some action against Edinboro last week. Center/tackle Terrance Perfilio (6-3, 290, Sr. Farrell), started the year as the starting right tackle. Out most of the Gannon game and missing the next two weeks, he returned vs S.R. and is starting at center. Right tackle Ryan Barrick (6-5, 270, Jr. Easton), who was sidelined in camp, returned against Gannon and started the last six games. Tyler Edwards (6-4, 300, Jr. Ambridge), has emerged as the starter at right guard, but Shane Cress (6-3, 275, So. Mars)  will see plenty of time. Cameron Cress (6-3, 275, So.) has been a 2013 starter at center. A starter the last three weeks and likely again this week at left guard is Mark Divins (6-3, 290, Sr. Clarion).  Seeing time at tackle will be Paul Branagan (6-4, 280, Fr. Cornell).
 
10 STARTERS RETURN ON IMPROVED EAGLE DEFENSE
 
            The Clarion defense has returned 10 starters and plenty of veteran experience in 2013.Clarion is yielding  397.9 yards of total offense per game including 170 rushing yards per game and 227.9 passing yards. The Golden Eagles defense is currently ranked #11 in the entire PSAC in total defense, 10^th in rushing defense and 10^th in pass defense.
 
HOWSARE & BOSTICK LEAD DEFENSIVE FRONT
 
            The Golden Eagles have a strong defensive line returning in 2013, paced by Third Team FB Gazette All-American and captain Julian Howsare (Jr. Altoona) at defensive end and captain Adam Bostick (Sr. Manheim Twp.) at defensive tackle.
 
            Howsare has 76 tackles, 17 tfl's, 9 sacks, 2 int's, 4 break-ups, 4 blocked kicks (1 recovered for a td) and 2 fumbles caused.. Last year he had 58 tackles, 14 sacks for -89 yards and 16 tfl's for -102 yards. He also had 4 fumbles caused, 3 break-ups, and 1 blocked kick. In three seasons Julian has notched 163 career tackles, 27 sacks for -156 yards and  40 tfl's for -196 yards. Bostick, who missed two games, has posted 16 tackles (6 tfl's and 4 sacks). Last year he collected 29 tackles, 3 sacks for -10, 7 tfl's for -20, 2 fumbles caused, 2 break-ups and 1 interception in 2012. He has 71 career tackles, 20 tfl's, 9 sacks, 2 fumbles caused, 2 break-ups and 1 int.
 
            Also returning up front are starters Jacob Heintz (Jr. Pine Richland) and Andrew Fragale (So. Emporium/Cameron County), along with veterans  Matt Shuey (Jr. Johnsonburg), Zach Newquist (Jr. Indiana), Brandon Short (So. New Brighton) and Robert Steinstraw (So. Washington/Trinity).
 
            Fragale is having a strong year posting 35 tackles, 13 tfl's and 4 sacks to start the year. Heintz has posted 34 hits and 3 sacks & 4 tfl's, with Newquist getting 29 jolts, 7 tfl's and 3 sacks. Shuey has contributed 28 hits, 8 tfl's, 3 sacks.
 
            Heintz had a tremendous 2012 collecting 53 hits, 9 sacks, 14 tfl's and 1 break-up, while Fragale pitched in with 23 stops, 4 sacks and 8 tfl's. Shuey had 31 tackles and 7 tfl's a year ago, with Short posting 14 tackles, 1 tfl). Newquist, who had earned a starting noseguard spot entering 2012, was injured in camp and did not play. He is healthy again and posted 11 hits and 2 sacks in 2011.
 
EAGLE LINEBACKERS STRONG IN THE MIDDLE
 
            Junior Brian Palmiere (Jr. Tarentum/Deer Lakes), and sophomores Rocco Yauger (So. Penn Trafford), Jared Davis (Allderdice), Kyle McWreath (Washington/Trinity) and Michael Collier (So. Beaver Falls) return to anchor the linebacking corps.
 
            Palmiere, who played the first half vs Kutztown and was injured, returned to see limited action the last three weeks and started against Seton Hill and IUP.  He has 18 stops this season. He led the Golden Eagles with 89 tackles, plus added 3 sacks and 8 tfl's with 2 fumbles caused in 2012. In three seasons Brian has collected 150 tackles, 21 tfl's and 3 fumbles caused. Yauger currently has 53 hits and 1 int. this season, (64 last year with 8 tfl's), while Davis has 26 hits and McWreath 57 stops and 6 tfl.'s  McWreath had 29 hits, 5 tfl's and 1 sack last year. Davis contributed 21 stops and 2 tfl's in 2012. Collier meanwhile has 35 tackles, 4 tfl's and 1 int.
 
EAGLE SECONDARY RETURNS EXPERIENCED PLAYERS
 
            Clarion will be looking to corners Cory McNamara (So. Ontario, N.Y.), Kwaku Asamoah (So. Indiana), Cory Lauer (So. Franklin Regional) and Adam Lynch (Fr. Brashear) to stop opposing wideouts. McNamara leads the team with 81 hits, 12 break-ups and 1 interception, In 2012 he posted 31 hits and 1 interception. Asamoah has 20 stops, Lynch has made 28 jolts with 2 int's and 3 break-ups and Lauer 8 tackles in 2013.

            The safety spots will have Matt Long (Sr. Pgh – North Catholic), Peter Rivera (Jr. Bethlehem Catholic) and Malik King (So. Cornell) as starters. Long has 45 hits, 2 int's (vs Mercyhurst) and 3 break ups this year, while collecting 54 jolts and 5 tfl's a year ago. Rivera posted 33 jolts this season after posting 22 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 tfl's and 1 fumble recovery a year ago. King is having a top season with 27 hits, 2 tfl's 2 int's and 1 fumble recovery.
 
            Also looking for time at safety will be Mike Zak (Sr. Orchard Park N.Y.), Tyler Tucker (So. Westside Tx.),  and Ren Yonker (Sr. Johnsonburg). Zak has 24 tackles and 2 tfl's, Tucker has 24 hits and 2 tfl.and Yonker 30 jolts and 2 tfl's.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS HAVE CONWAY/ESPOSITO
 
            The Clarion special teams are anchored by punter Nathan Conway (Sr. Lock Haven/Central Mountain) and freshman placekicker Phil Esposito (Brockway). Conway, a four-year starter (2009, 2011-13), is averaging 42.5 yards per punt this season and is ranked 3rd in punting average in the entire PSAC. He has a season long of 63 and has placed 18 punts inside the 20 yard line. He averaged 36.4 yards per punt in 2012, with 5 knocked out inside the 20. He averaged 35.2 yards per punt in 2011 with 16 inside the 20, and averaged 37.9 as a freshman in 2009. Sophomore long snapper Eric White (Clearfield) returns after an outstanding freshman season in 2012. Freshman Phil Esposito booted a 45-yard field goal with no time remaining in regulation to send the Kutztown game into overtime. He is 5 of 16 in field goals and 25 of 25 in PAT's for 41 points.
 
WEST CHESTER #3 IN TOTAL OFFFENSE IN PSAC
 
            West Chester's offense is averaging 490.3 yards per game (#3 in PSAC) of total offense. The Rams are getting 217.5  rushing yards (#3 in PSAC) and 272.8 passing yards (#4 in PSAC) per game.
 
WHITE & McCARTNEY LEAD EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE
 
            West Chester's offense centers around quarterback Sean McCartney and all-purpose back Rondell White. McCartney has completed 147 of 227 passes for 2,167 yards and 21 td's. He has also rushed for 51 yards and 2 td's.
 
            White is a multi-purpose threat. He has rushed for 1,503 yards and 17 td's (5.3 per carry), plus has caught 52 passes for 622 yards and 2 td's. White ranks #2 in the PSAC and #6 in the nation in rushing yards per game (150.3), #2 in the nation in all-purpose yards at 238 per game, and #7 in the nation in scoring with 19 total td's. Also toting the pigskin are Brandon Monk (386 yards, 4 td's) and Eddie Elliott (169 yards, 2 td's).
 
            The receiving corps is packed with talent. Erick Brundidge (33 grabs, 556 yards, 8 td's), Tim Keyser (25 receptions, 391 yards, 3 td's) and Adam Dempsey (23 catches, 371 yards, 4 td's).
 
WEST CHESTER DEFENSE RANKS #6 IN PSAC
 
            The West Chester defense is giving up an average of 352.8 yards per game (#6 in PSAC) including only 115.8 rushing yards (#3 in PSAC) and 237 passing yards (#14 in PSAC).
 
            The Ram defense is led up front by tackles Andrew Cohen (25 tackles, 6 tfl's) and Anthony McCloskey (26 hits, 4.5 tfl's), along with ends Chris DiValentino (24 stops, 4 sacks) and Eric Edwers (42 jolts, 8 tfl's, 4.5 sacks).
 
            The linebackers are the team's top tacklers. Leading the defense is Mike Labor with 74 stops, 8 tfl's, 4.5 sacks and 1 int, and Ronell Williams (72 hits, 6 tfl's, 3.5 sacks, 2 int's). Outside linebacker Drew Formica also chips in with 34 tackles.
 
            The secondary features strong safety Shawn Krautzel (54 tackles, 2 int's) and free safety Brandon Pepper (37 stops, 1 int and 6 break-ups, along with corners Al-Hajj Shabazz (37 jolts, 3 int's) and Blaise Schieler (51 hits, 5 break-ups).
 
 
CLARION NOTES:   CLARION – WC SERIES --- WC won in 2012 by a 33-12 margin at Clarion … WC jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead and never looked back … WC had 450 yards of offense to Clarion's 348… QB Ben Fiscus rushed for 42 yards and completed 16 of 33 for 184 and 1 td… WC's Rondell White rushed for 227 yards and 1 td, plus caught 3 passes for 27 yards… QB Mike Mattei was 19 of 33 for 202 yards and 1 td.. WC won 49-21 in 2007 – the game was tied three times, 7-7, 14-14 and 21-21 --- but WC scored twice before halftime to take a 35-21 lead and never looked back … WC's Bill Zwaan passed for 354 yards and 5 td's … 2006 – WC won 49-21 at Clarion … with WC leading 27-21 at halftime ... Emmanuel, Odom and Foradora scoring first half td's ... But WC scored 3 unanswered td's in the second half to win ... Mark Rupert passed for 302 yards ... Pierre Odom had a career day catching 6 passes for 246 yards and 1 td ... WC's Zwann passed for 195 yards and 2 td's ... Osunde rushed for 130 and 1 td and Washington caught 2 passes for 76 yards and 1 td... In 2005 the Rams led 30-14 at halftime and scored two td's in the third quarter to put the game away… WC outgained Clarion 487-274 … Osunde rushed for 94 yards and 1 td, wile freshman receiver Mike Washington stole the show grabbing 7 passes for 242 yards an 5 td's…  Clarion defeated West Chester 28-21 in 2000... Clarion rushed for 378 yards and passed for 141 for a total offense of 519... Robert Walker ran for 211 yards and 1 td in that game .... WC was held to 191 yards, including only 56 rushing ... Clarion also won 34-28 over the Rams in 2002 ... The Eagles again rushed for 344 yards and passed for 94, for a total offense of 438 ... Glenn Lovelace ran for 181 yards and 2 td=s, while Adam Almashy rushed for 100 yards ... Both games were in Clarion ... West Chester won in 2003 by a 35-17 score ... Clarion had 303 yards of offense (175 rushing), while WC had 384 (151 rushing)... Osagie Osunde scored on a 78 yard punt return and a 78-yard run for td=s ... He had 96 yards on 7 carries ... In 2004 at Clarion, the Rams edged Clarion 20-17 ... Clarion had 200 yards of offense and WC had only 258 ... WC was led by Osunde who rushed for 88 yards and 1 td on 25 carries... Clarion=s Marcus Lowe rushed for 59 yards and 1 td, and freshman qb Erik Yonish completed 12 of 17 passes for 111 yards and rushed for 39 yards and 1 td…