Conway Ranked #13 in NCAA-II In Punting
 
CLARION (4-5; 2-4) TRAVELS TO EDINBORO (4-5; 2-4) SAT. NOV. 9
 
            Clarion's 2013 football team will travel to Edinboro this Saturday, November 9, to play the Fighting Scots at Sox Harrison Stadium. The PSAC-West matchup will kickoff at Noon.
 
            All the game action between Clarion and Edinboro 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 4-5; 2-4
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, and split the last two home games to post a 4-5 overall mark and a 2-4 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. Last Saturday Clarion lost 42-14 to IUP on Senior Day.
 
            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 27-59.
 
 
EDINBORO 4-5 OVERALL & 2-4 IN PSAC-WEST

            Edinboro enters Saturday's contest with an identical 4-5 overall record and a 2-4 mark in the PSAC-West under eighth year head coach Scott Browning. The veteran Edinboro boss spent 20 seasons as an assistant coach before taking over as head coach and has been part of their strong football tradition over the years. Browning has a career record as head coach of  53-34 and has been part of 8 NCAA playoff teams with the Boro, one as a head coach in 2009 leading the Scots to a 9-4 overall record, while just missing the playoffs in 2010 with a 9-2 slate.
 
            Edinboro opened 2013 with a 35-34 win over Walsh, lost 47-35 to Bloomsburg and 20-7 to California, defeated Seton Hill 43-7 and Lock Haven 31-6 and then lost to Gannon 55-14. After bouncing back for a big 36-30 win over IUP, the Scots have lost 44-20 to Slippery Rock and 19-6 to Mercyhurst.
 
 EDINBORO LEADS SERIES 42-39-2 DATING BACK TO 1926

            Edinboro took the lead in the series between the two schools with wins in 2012 (48-13), 2011 (21-10) and in 2010 (31-14) and leads the overall series 42-39-2 in games dating back to 1926. In 2009 Clarion traveled to Edinboro and upset the #21 ranked Scots by a 30-17 margin. The Scots had won six straight meetings before 2009 – posting wins in 2008 (35-10), 2007 (49-30), 2006 (13-0), 2005 (44-0), 2004 (21-10) and 2003 (35-6). Prior to 2009, Clarion's last win prior to 2009 was a 24-18 decision at Edinboro in 2002. In the last 19 games Edinboro has the edge by an 13-6 count. Clarion's six wins were in 1994 (24-20), 1997 (28-0), 1998 (33-20), 2000 (7-0), 2002 (24-18) and 2009 (30-17).  The Fighting Scots 11 victories came in 1995 (28-6), 1996 (48-35), 1999 (30-29), 2001 (24-12), 2003 (35-6), 2004 (21-10), 2005 (44-0), 2006 (13-0), 2007 (49-30), 2008 (35-10), 2010 (31-14), 2011 (21-10) and 2012 (48-13).
 
 
CLARION OFFENSE 331.8 YARDS & 24.1 PPG IN 2013
 
            The Clarion offense is averaging 331.8 yards of total offense per game in 2013, including 180.4 yards on the ground and 151.3 through the air. Clarion ranks 11^th in total offense, 7^th in rushing offense and 14^th in passing offense.
 
QB DARELLE CARSON DIRECTS THE OFFENSE
 
            Senior signal caller Ben Fiscus (Sr. Indiana) was sidelined in the second quarter against Lock Haven and will miss the remainder of the 2013 season with a leg injury. Red-shirt freshman qb Darelle Carson (Pgh – Perry) has started the last seven games and played in 8 straight since relieving Fiscus. Carson's backup is freshman Matt Futkos (Youngstown, Oh./Fitch).
 
            Carson has completed 75 of 168 passes for 1,027 yards and 5 td's with 7 interceptions. Carson, an excellent athlete, has also rushed for 405 yards and 5 td's on 108 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 22 grabs for 217 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 11 catches for 176 yards, Lehman 11 receptions for 150 yards and 1 td, Frye 5 grabs for 142 yards and 2 td's and Canello 3 catches for 15 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 624 yards and 6 td's on 145 carries (4.3 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 1,158 career rushing yards and 9 td's on 269 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 266 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) – 24 carries, 98 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 41 games in his career. Kundick, a starter at left guard in 2012, returns to solidify the left side. He has missed the last two games and is questionable this 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 two weeks nd likely again this wek 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  413.6 yards of total offense per game including 176.6 rushing yards per game and 237 passing yards. The Golden Eagles defense is currently ranked #13 in the entire PSAC in total defense, 11^th in rushing defense and 14^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 64 tackles, 14 tfl's, 5 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 151 career tackles, 23 sacks for -133 yards and  37 tfl's for -182 yards. Bostick, who missed two games, has posted 15 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 70 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 on fire at noseguard posting 34 tackles, 12 tfl's and 4 sacks to start the year. Heintz has posted 28 hits and 3 sacks, with Newquist getting 24 jolts, 6 tfl's and 3 sacks. Shuey has contributed 26 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 13 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 145 tackles, 21 tfl's and 3 fumbles caused. Yauger currently has 47 hits and 1 int. this season, (64 last year with 8 tfl's), while Davis has 22 hits and McWreath 47 stops and 5 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 33 tackles, 3 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 73 hits, 11 break-ups and 1 interception, In 2012 he posted 31 hits and 1 interception. Asamoah has 20 stops, Lynch has made 26 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 44 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 30 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 25 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 23 tackles and 2 tfl's, Tucker has 23 hits and 2 tfl.and Yonker 29 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 42.8 yards per punt this season and is ranked 2^nd in punting average in the entire PSAC. He also ranks #13 in the NCAA-II latest statistics. He has a season long of 63 and has placed 16 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 14 in field goals and 24 of 24 in PAT's for 39 points.
 
EDINBORO #12 IN TOTAL OFFFENSE IN PSAC
 
            Edinboro's offense is averaging 325.7 yards per game (#12 in PSAC) of total offense. The Fighting Scots are getting 116.6  rushing yards (#12 in PSAC) and 209.1 passing yards (#8 in PSAC) per game.
 
GIRVAN DIRECTS BORO OFFENSE
            Edinboro is relying on red-shirt freshman quarterback Jon Girvin to direct the offense. Girvan has completed 91 of 213 passes for 1,120 yards and 6 td's. A mobile qb he has also rushed for 164 yards and 5 td's.
 
The Scots started the season with senior Cody Harris at quarterback, but he was injured in game two, much like Clarion's Ben Fiscus, and is out for the season.
 
            The running game is solid with Jeremy Donaldson (122 carries, 533 yards, 5 td's), C'Andrea Vaughn (33 rushes, 185 yards,) and Keith Regis (18 carries, 44 yards, 1 td) expected to tote the pigskin.
 
            The receiving corps is strong with Ben Eisel (36 grabs, 390 yards, 1 td), Marcus Johnson (33 catches, 502 yards, 2 td's) and Darren Massey (22 receptions, 292 yards, 4 td's) catching the football.
 
EDINBORO DEFENSE RANKS #10 IN PSAC
 
            The Edinboro defense is giving up an average of  401 yards of offense per game (#10 in PSAC). Opponents are rushing for 203.7 yards per game (#12 in PSAC) and 197.3 passing yards (#3 in PSAC) per outing.
 
            The defensive line features Greg Cunningham (22 hits, 3.5 tfl's) at noseguard, Chris Williams (22 jolts) at tackle and Brandon Marlow (33 stops, 5.5 tfl's) and Bobby Kmetz (46 hits, 8 tfl's) at the ends.
 
            The linebackers are strong behind Mike Shansky (72 hits, 9.5 tfl's), Jimmy Grove (43 stops, 2.5 tfl's) and Quentin Cummings (22 tackles).
 
            The secondary has Delano Fabor (71 stops, 5 int's) at free safety, Veuntrae Robinson (50 jolts) at strong safety and James Jackson (38 hits, 2 int's) and Devin Ghafoor (59 tackles, 4 int's) at the corners.
 
            CLARION NOTES –  2013 SEASON FINALE AT W.C. UP IN THE AIR - Clarion is scheduled to travel to West Chester on Nov. 16 for the season finale… West Chester hosts Bloomsburg this Saturday – Nov. 9 … If West Chester wins, the Rams will win the PSAC-East title and play Slippery rock for the PSAC Championship … Clarion would then play the crossover opponent of Slippery Rock that is currently the schedule for Nov. 16 --- for the final game … So if W.C. wins, Clarion will travel to Bloomsburg on Nov. 16. … If Bloomsburg wins, Clarion will maintain its regular schedule and travel to West Chester on Nov. 16.
 
CLARION – EDINBORO SERIES – (2012) – Edinboro won 48-13 in Clarion … Edinboro went ahead 7-0 in the first and Clarion tied the score 7-7 when Ben fuiscus hit Anthony Becoate on an 11-yard td pass… The Scots scored three, second quarter td's to pull away before halftime … Fiscus was 17 of 32 for 209 yards and 1 td, plus rushed for 82 yards and 1 td… Edinboro QB Cody Harris completed 25 of 33 for 460 yards and 5 td's… (2011) Edinboro won last year 21-10 at Sox Harrison Stadium on Sportsfever TV … The Scots jumped out to a 21-10 halftime lead – no scoring in second half… Down 21-3 in the second quarter – running back Patrick Graham-Murphy scored on a 4-yard run in his first game at running back to make it 21-10  … He ended the game with 174 rushing yards and 1 td …Fiscus completed only 3 of 15 passes for 39 yards … Cody Harris was 19 of 23 for 203 and 2 td's …  Edinboro won in 2011 31-14 at Clarion … Edinboro led 14-7 at halftime … Clarion scored on the final play before intermission on a 41-yard pas from Fiscus to Craig Bunney… the Scots scored 17 second half points to put the game away … The Boro saw Cody Harris complete 19 of 23 passes for 232 yards and 1 td…  Fiscus completed 14 of 38 for 175 and 2 td's and ran for 70 on 19 carries… Clarion won in 2009 30-17 – Upsetting the #21 ranked Scots on Sportsfever … Edinboro held a 17-6 halftime lead – Boro QB Trevor Harris was knocked out of the game right before halftime due to a knee injury …. Clarion rallied in the third quarter on two Tyler Huether 1 yard runs to go ahead 20-17 … Then a safety with only 3:51 left in the fourth – and an Alfonso Hoggard 7-yard run with 1:39 remaining sealed the deal … Hoggard rushed for 99 yards and 1 td … Huether rushed for 91 yards and 2 td's, plus hit on 14 of 24 passes for 169 yards … Harris was 8 of 11 for 97 yards for Edinboro … Edinboro won in 2008 35-10 - Edinboro led 14-3 at halftime and scored twice in the third quarter to put the game away ... Huether completed 16 of 31 passes for 143 ... Harris completed 17 of 24 for 183 and 3 td's ... In 2007 at Edinboro on Sportsfever TV the Boro won 49-30 - but what a first half - Clarion led 4 times including its last lead of 23-21 in the second quarter ... Emmanuel, Hoggard and Pierre Odom scored first half td's and Nick Sipes booted a 21-yard field goal ... Edinboro roared back to take a 35-23 halftime lead ... The Eagles pulled to within 35-30 in the third, but Edinboro scored twice more to finish at 49-30 ... 914 yards of offense in the game - 344 for Clarion and 570 for the Boro ... Huether passed for 262 yards and 2 td;s ... Edinboro's Harris passed for 415 yards and 4 td's ... in 2006 Edinboro won 13-0 in a defensive struggle... Clarion missed a 42-yard field goal in the first quarter ... And had drives stopped in the red zone in the third and fourth quarters ... Huether was 9 for 26 for 119 yards ... Emmanuel rushed for only 23 yards on 8 carries ... Trevor Harris completed 11 of 21 passes for 118 yards ... Houston Brown rushed for 157 yards and 1 td ...  In 2004 Clarion led 3-0 at halftime at Memorial Stadium, and it could have been more as Clarion traveled into Edinboro territory 5 times without getting a score... Kyle Snoke booted a 29-yard field goal late in the second ... Edinboro took the lead for good on an Andre Burke 1-yard run with 26-seconds left in the third, then scored on a Burke 21-yard run early in the fourth to pull away and win (21-10) ... Clarion had 169 yards of offense... Brandon Dando was 9 of 23 passing for 129 yards and 1 td... Bo Busch had 18 tackles and Matt Morris 14 to lead the defense... Burke ran for 173 yards on 40 carries with 3 td=s ... Bouch was 12 of 21 for 143 yards with 2 int=s ... In the 2002 game Clarion roared out to a 24-0 lead and then held on for a 24-18 win at Edinboro ... The final Eagle score was a 12 yard pass from Adam Almashy to Chad Thompson on a fake field goal early in the third quarter... Clarion rushed for 307 yards and passed for 31 ... Robert Walker had 116 on 14 carries, while Glenn Lovelace had 72 and 1 td on 7 tries (10.3 p/c)... Edinboro had 392 yards of offense including 184 rushing and 208 passing ... Alonzo Roebuck had 24 carries for 146 yards and 2 td=s ... Justin Bouch completed 6 of 12 passes for 104 yards in relief of Cam Marsh (10 of 27 - 104 yards)... Sean Hess had 6 catches for 96 yards ... In 2001 Edinboro won 24-12 at Sox Harrison Stadium ... Clarion=s Demetric Garnder scored on a 19-yard run but the PAT was blocked and Clarion led 6-0... The Boro scored 17 unanswered points before halftime to lead 17-6 and went on to the win ... Clarion rushed for 195 and passed for 147 for 342 yards ... Edinboro rushed for 189 and passed for 155 for 344 yards... In 2000 Clarion won 7-0... Tab Musser scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter and that score held up ... Clarion had 235 net yards to Edinboro's 152..