Football | 10/7/2014 5:03:00 PM
CLARION (2-3; 2-2) HOSTS EDINBORO (0-5; 0-4) SAT. AT 6PM ON FAMILY DAY
TELEVISED LIVE BY SPORTSFEVER ON ESPN 3 & ESPN GAME PLAN
The Golden Eagles are looking to rebound from a two-game losing streak this Saturday, October 11, when Clarion hosts PSAC-West rival Edinboro on Family Day. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
The game, produced by the
Sportsfever Televison Network, will air
live on
ESPN 3,
ESPN "Game Plan", Blue Ridge Cable, WPMT (43.3), WNEP (16.2); WPHL (17.4) and WETM (18.2), with
Fox Sports Ohio rebroadcasting at midnight. Full rebroadcast of the game will be on Fox Sports Ohio (Oct.14 – 5 a.m.) and Root Sports (Oct. 15 – 9pm) with Scott Bacon and Dan Watson on the call.
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 9TH SEASON - CLARION 2-3/2-2 IN 2014
2009 EAGLES 8-3 - 2ND IN PSAC-WEST – 8TH IN SUPER REGION 1
Clarion opened its 2014 football season losing a hard-fought 27-13 decision at FCS opponent Saint Francis on Sept. 6, then came back strong the next two games against Millersville and Cheyney. Clarion dropped the Marauders 55-16 and then ran past Cheyney 27-6. Two weeks ago the Golden Eagles were flat in the second half – after trailing only 10-7 at halftime, lost to undefeated Gannon 33-7 and last week lost 28-0 at Mercyhurst. In a new twist in the PSAC this season, the PSAC Crossover games on Sept. 13 and Sept. 20 (games involving East vs West teams) counted in the Western and Eastern Division standings. This new rule gives the PSAC-West schools a total of 9 divisional games.
The Golden Eagles were 4-7 overall last season and 2-5 in the PSAC-Western Division. Clarion opened the 2013 grid campaign on a three-game winning streak opening with a 39-38 overtime win against Kutztown, a 30-13 win over Lock Haven and a 20-13 upset win over Mercyhurst – all at home.
Injuries took their toll, especially the season ending injury to PSAC-West first team qb
Ben Fiscus, who was injured during the Lock Haven game and out for the season.
The Golden Eagles were also 4-7 overall in 2012 and 2-5 in the PSAC-Western Division, while Clarion was 3-8 overall and 2-5 in the West in 2011 and 4-7 overall and 3-4 in the West in 2010.
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 29-64.
EDINBORO WINLESS COMING TO MEMORIAL (0-5; 0-4)
The Fighting Scots come to Clarion with an overall record of 0-5 and are also 0-4 in the PSAC-West. Edinboro opened 2014 with a 38-24 loss at #16 Carson-Newman, then lost 47-21 to Shippensburg, 47-34 to East Stroudsburg, 34-16 at California and last week's 18-8 loss at home to IUP on Homecoming. Head coach Scott Browning, the Scot mentor since 2006, has a head coaching record of 54-40 entering Saturday's game. A coach at Edinboro for 21 years, Browning 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. The 0-5 start for Edinboro is the worse since 1955 when Edinboro also started 0-5.
EDINBORO LEADS SERIES 43-39-2 DATING BACK TO 1926
Edinboro took the lead in the series between the two schools with wins in 2013 (9-7), 2012 (48-13), 2011 (21-10) and in 2010 (31-14) and leads the overall series 43-39-2 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 20 games Edinboro has the edge by a 14-6 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, 2012 (48-13) and 2013 (9-7).
CLARION OFFENSE AVERAGING 267 YARDS & 20.4 PPG IN 2014
The Clarion offense returns 8 starters on a unit that averaged is averaging 267 yards of offense (#14 in PSAC) and 20.4 points per game (#12 in PSAC) in 2014. The running game is getting 134.2 yards (#11 in PSAC) and the passing game is netting 132.8 yards per game (#14 in PSAC).
SIMMONS & CARSON SHARING PLAYS AT QB
Sophomore transfer
Connor Simmons (So. New Palestine, In.), who missed the Mercyhurst game, started against Cheyney and Gannon and could return this week. He has completed 33 of 55 passes (60%) for 426 yards and 3 td's this season, along with 91 rushing yards and 2 td's.
Darelle Carson (So. Pgh-Perry), the starter at Mercyhurst and the team's first two games, has completed 21 of 62 passes for 238 yards and 1 td. He has also rushed for 95 yards. Last year he started the team's final 9 games and completed 85 of 195 aerials for 1,170 yards and 5 td's, while also running for 564 yards and 6 td's on 157 tried.
DEITRICK, NICHOLAS, LEHMAN & MANCINI TOP RETURNING RECEIVERS
Returning to catch passes for the Eagles will be senior tight end
Mike Deitrick (Sr. Upper St. Clair), and wideouts Mark Nicholas (Jr. Export/Franklin Regional), Matt Lehman (So. Lower Burrell/Burrell), Eric Frye (Jr. Pgh-Perry), and Caleb Mancini (Sr. Beaver Falls/Blackhawk). Deitrick, an outstanding tight end, has caught 5 aerials for 48 yards. He led the team in 2013 with 24 catches for 239 yards and 2 td's. He has 47 career catches for 498 yards and 4 td's.
Frye, who missed the last two games, is second on the team with 10 catches for 135 yards and 1 td, while Nicholas leads the team with 11 grabs for 97 yards and 3 td's. Frye has 16 career receptions for 289 yards and 3 td's. Nicholas grabbed 15 passes for 285 yards and 3 td's a year ago and now has 33 catches for 476 yards and 7 td's.
Lehman, only a sophomore, has 10 grabs for 196 yards in 2014 and 23 career catches for 355 yards and 1 td. Mancini has 2 catches for 66 yards this year and 23 for 342 yards in his career.
Also expected to contribute to the offense is tight end
Zach Deitrick So. Upper St. Clair) who has 4 grabs for 59 yards this season.
THOMAS & WILLIAMS KEY RUNNING BACKS IN 2014
Senior running back
Bobby Thomas (Reading/Exeter Twp.) and freshman
Delrece Williams (Fr. Homestead/Steel Valley) lead a strong backfield in 2014. Thomas has opened the 2014 season with 177 yards and 1 td on 44 tries. In 3 years he now has 348 rushes for 1,470 yards and 11 td's, along with 19 catches for 143 yards. Thomas had 759 yards and 7 td's on 180 carries and has a single game high of 156 yards in 2012 against LIU-Post, and 147 vs L.H. in 2013.
Williams has had an impressive start to 2014. The team's leading runner has 60 carries for 267 yards and 5 td's, plus 2 catches for 3 yards and 12 kickoff returns for 297 yards. A senior at Steel Valley High in the Fall of 2010, Williams set the WPIAL regular season rushing record of 2,149 yards in 9 games. He had a season total of 2,388 yards and a WPIAL leading 34 td's.
Also set to tote the pigskin is
Johnnie Martin (So. Mt. Joy/Donegal) who has 4 carries for 19 yards and 1 td this season.
KUNDICK & CRESS LEAD TALENTED OFFENSIVE LINE
The "O" line will has talented starters returning in
guard Matt Kundick (6-2, 280, Sr. Beaver) and center Cameron Cress (6-3, 270, Jr. Mars). Kundick, also a starter at left guard a year ago, has two letters on the O-line.
Cameron Cress started a number of games at center last year and will return anchor the line and make all the line calls up front.
Also starting up front are tackle
Shane Cress (6-3, 280, Jr.), guard Tyler Edwards (6-4, 300, Sr. Ambridge) and freshman tackle
Jake Heigel (6-3, 270, Fr. DuBois/Brockway). Hoping to return this week are veteran starting tackles
Ryan Barrick (6-6, 280, Sr. Easton) and Paul Branagan (6-4, 280, So. Coraopolis/Cornell), who have missed the first five games with injury.
9 STARTERS RETURN ON IMPROVED EAGLE DEFENSE
Clarion's defense has improved in 2014 with nine starters and a host lettermen returning. In the opening five games Clarion has limited its opponents to 324 yards of total offense (#5 in PSAC), including 151.6 yards rushing (#10 in PSAC) and 172.4 yards passing (#2 in PSAC).
HOWSARE, SHUEY & BELL LEAD DEFENSIVE FRONT
The Golden Eagles have a strong defensive line in 2014, paced by two-time Third Team FB Gazette All-American
Julian Howsare (Sr. Altoona) at defensive end, All PSAC-West selection
Matt Shuey (Sr. Johnsonburg) at defensive tackle and
Kwame Bell (6-3, 265, Jr. Philadelphia) at end.
Howsare, the PSAC-West Defensive P.O.W. against Millersville, has opened the season with 33 tackles, 5 sacks and 7 tfl's. The 2013 PSAC-West Defensive POY, Howsare posted 83 tackles, 18 tfl's for -75 yards, 10 sacks for -58 yards, 4 blocked kicks, 4 break-ups, 2 int's and 2 fumbles caused. He recorded 14 tackles, 4 tfl's and 1 sack vs Gannon, had 2 int's and a blocked kick vs Slippery Rock, and 10 hits, 3 tfl's, blocked 2 kicks and recovered 1 for a td against Seton Hill.
In 2012 Julian he posted 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 his career Julian has notched 203 tackles, 48 tfl's for -218 yards, 33 sacks for -175 yards, 6 fumbles caused, 7 blocked kicks, 9 break-ups and 2 int's.
Shuey meanwhile has posted 22 hits and 8 tfl's and 3 sacks in 2014 Last year he had 31 tackles, 3 sacks for -39 yards, 9 tfl's for -49 yards and 1 fumble recovery a year ago. Posting 31 hits and 7 tfl's in 2012, Shuey has a career total of 97 stops, 26 tfl's (-80 yards), 6 sacks, 2 break-ups and a fumble caused.
Bell is having a standout season in 2014 posting 24 stops, 7 tfls for -41, 4 sacks for -28, 3 fumbles caused and 1 recovery. He has 30 career tackles, 8 tfl's, 4 sacks.
Plenty of talent returns up front with noseguards
Andrew Fragale (Jr. Emporium/Cameron County) and
Zach Newquist (Sr. Indiana), along with
Brandon Short (Jr. New Brighton) and Matt Koerper (So. Seven Fields/Seneca Valley). Fragale, who has 22 stops and 3 tfl's in 2014, had 36 tackles, 5 sacks (-26 yards), 14 tfl's (-35 yards), 2 fumbles caused and recovered in 2013. His career numbers total 81 hits, 9 sacks for -39 yards, 25 tfl's for -63 yards, 4 fumbles caused, 2 recovered and 1 break up.
Newquist, who missed the first 4 games, had 4 tackles last week. In 2013 he made 32 stops, 3 sacks, 7 tfl's, 3 break-ups and 1 fumble caused. His career numbers include 47 tackles, 9 tfl's, 5 sacks, 4 break ups, 1 fumble caused.
Short has had a strong start with 18 jolts, 5 tfl's and 4 sacks, while
Koerper has collected 15 stops, 1 sack and 4 tfl's. Last year he had 19 tackles, 1 sack and 3 tfl's.
PALMIERE & YAUGER RETURN AS EAGLE LINEBACKERS
The Clarion linebacking corps will be led by the return of veterans
Brian Palmiere (Sr. Tarentum/Deer Lakes), Rocco Yauger (Jr. Penn Trafford) and Jared Davis (Jr. Pgh-Allderdice). Palmiere has 13 hits and 2 tfl's in 2014. In 8 games in 2013 he had 24 tackles and 2 tfl's. In 2012 Palmiere led the Golden Eagles with 89 tackles, plus added 3 sacks and 8 tfl's with 2 fumbles caused. In his career Brian has collected 169 tackles, 24 tfl's (-64), 8 sacks (-42), 3 fumbles caused, 1 recovered and 1 break-up.
Yauger meanwhile has 21 this season. He had 57 stops and 1 int a year ago, and now has 142 tackles, 9 tfl's (-15), 1 sack, and 1 int in two seasons.
Davis, who gained starting experience a year ago, has 17 tackles and 3 tfl's this season. He had 29 hits, 2 tfl's and 1 fumble recovery in 2013.
McNAMARA LEADS CLARION SECONDARY
The Golden Eagle secondary is looking to have a strong season in 2014, especially if the unit can stay healthy. Back to lead the defense is
Cory McNamara (Jr. Ontario, N.Y.). Junior cornerback
Cory McNamara has moved to strong safety to anchor the defense. Last year he led the Golden Eagles with 87 tackles and 12 pass break-ups (Ranked #2 in the PSAC. Adding 1 interception and 1 tfl rounded out a quality season. He has 26 tackles, 1 break-up and 1 fumble recovery this year. In two seasons Cory has 144 tackles, 13 break-ups, 2 int's and 2 tfl's.
The safety spots are covered by
Travis Day (Jr. Jeannette/Hempfield), Chris Liberto (Jr. Springdale), Connor Scott (So. Pgh. Upper St. Clair), along with Tyler Tucker (So. Westside, Tx.) and Jerome Matthews (Jr. Pgh- Schenley) Day, who moved to safety from running back, has 23 tackles, 1 tfl and 2 break-ups this season. He also returned 5 punts for 67 yards. He carried the ball 66 times for 303 yards and 4 td's last year, while also catching 6 passes for 82 yards. He also rushed 62 times for 295 yards and 3 td's in 2012 while also posting 6 catches for 57 yards. Day's career numbers show 128 carries for 598 yards and 7 td's, with 12 catches for 139 yards.
Also moving over to the defense from running back is
Chris Liberto. Liberto has 14 hits and 1 tfl this season.
Scott meanwhile has made a strong contribution with 15 hits, 1 tfl and a 15-yard int return for a td against Millersville.
Tucker gained starting experience last year but missed the opener with an injury. He has 4 tackles this season, while posting 24 tackles, 2 tfl's and 1 break-up in 2013.
Matthews has 13 hits, 1 tfl and 1 fumble recovery.
The corner positions will have
Cory Lauer (Jr. Franklin Regional) Myles Edmonds (Fr. Odenton, Md./Arundel), Adam Lynch (So. Pgh-Brashear), and Kwaku Asamoah (Jr. Indiana) all seeing plenty of time. Lauer has 11 tackles and 4 break-ups, Edmonds has 17 stops, Lynch 12 tackles and Asamoah 5 jolts.
Lauer had 12 tackles last year,
Lynch notched 29 hits, 3 int's for 36 yards and 3 break-ups and
Asamoah with 20 hits and 2 break-ups.
AYERS & LEAD SPECIAL TEAMS
The Clarion special teams will be anchored by sophomore
Scott Ayers (Bethesda, Md.) and special teams snapper
Eric White (Jr. Clearfield). Ayers is averaging 37.7 yards per punt and is 12 for 14 in PAT's. White, Clarion's snapper for punts and PAT's/Field Goals, is a third year starter on special teams.
EDINBORO OFFENSE AVERAGES 302.2 YPG/ 20.6 PPG
The Edinboro offense is averaging 302.2 yards (#12 in PSAC) of total offense per game including 55.8 rushing yards (#16 in PSAC) and 246.4 passing yards (#7 in PSAC) per contest.
Edinboro is led by senior quarterback Cody Harris. The veteran, who was injured a year ago, and missed most of the season, has bounced back strong completing 123 of 169 passes (72.8%) for 1,192 yards and 10 td's with only 1 interception. He has the top QB Efficiency rating in the West (150.4) and third in the entire PSAC. He has rushed for 4 td's this season as well.
Ready to catch Harris passes are Darren Massey, Ben Eisel, Nick Helmick and Kolbe Hughes. Massey ranks third in the entire PSAC with 38 catches for 412 yards and 5 td's. Eisel is next with 18 grabs for 207 yards, while hughes has 13 receptions for 190 yards and 2 td's. tight end Helmick features 16 catches for 170 yards and 3 td's.
The running game shows Anfreenee Williams as the top ball carrier with 48 rushes for 229 yards.
EDINBORO DEFENSE YIELDS 463.4 YDS PER GAME
Edinboro has had some trouble in 2014 giving up yardage. The Scots have yielded 463.4 yards per game (#11 in the PSAC) including 198.4 yards rushing (#11 in PSAC) and 265 passing yards (#11 in PSAC).
The defensive front features Josh Kibbie (27 stops, 1 tfl) at noseguard, Thomas Dover (12 hits, 2 tfl's) at tackle and Domenic Principale (24 tackles. 5.5 tfl's, 5 sacks) at end.
The linebacking corps posts top tackler Mike Shansky (45 hits, 1.5 tfl's) and Kyle Matula (28 jolts, 2.5 tfl's) on the inside and Victor Hudson (23 stops, 2.5 tfl's) and Blake Reddick (12 tackles) on the outside.
The secondary has O'Sha Jackson (33 jolts) and Montell Martin (21 tackles) at the corners, with Deante Powell (14 hits) and Veutrae Robinson (19 stops) at the safeties.
CLARION – EDINBORO SERIES – (2013 – Edinboro 9 Clarion 7) … Tough loss at Edinboro last year … Clarion fumbled in its own endzone for the boro's first two points… Clarion took a 7-2 lead in the second quarter on a 27-yard td run by
Darelle Carson… Edinboro came right back on a 30-yd td pass to Marcus Johnson … Clarion attempted two field goals in the second half but both missed.
Phil Esposito's 48-yarder was wide right at the end of the third, and 34-yarder into a strong wind with 1:25 to go was also a little right and the Eagles lost 9-7… Carson rushed for 130 yards and passed for 57 yards… Boro QB Jon Girvin hit on 16 of 34 passes for 146 yadrs and 1 td…
(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..
