Clarion opens PSAC-West play on Saturday, September 25, when the Golden Eagles host #4 ranked California at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6pm for a contest that will also serve as the 2010 “Family Day” game.
The game between Clarion and California can be heard on the Golden Eagle Football network, which includes WCCR-FM, 92.7 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 5TH SEASON/ EAGLES POST 8-3 MARK IN 2009
FINISH 2ND IN PSAC-WEST – 8TH IN SUPER REGION 1
Fifth year head coach Jay Foster returns a total of 19 starters and 38 lettermen this season and is coming off a strong 2009 campaign that included an 8-3 overall record, a 6-1 mark in the rugged PSAC-West and finished the season with 6 straight wins and an 8th place ranking in the final NCAA Division II Super Region 1 Poll.
The Golden Eagles won 7 of their final 8 games in 2009, including ending the season on a 6-game winning streak. That win streak could have been 8 in a row, as the Eagles lost a tough PSAC-West showdown at Cal in week 5 by a 35-31 margin, with the game in doubt until the final play.
Foster, the 2009 PSAC-West “Coach of the Year”, has a record of 12-35 at Clarion.
The Golden Eagles are 0-3 to start 2010 including losses to Fairmont State (27-16), Bloomsburg (41-13) and Shippensburg (28-24).
#4 RATED CALIFORNIA 3-0 TO START 2010
California is coming to Clarion with plenty of momentum and three impressive wins to start 2010. The Vulcans traveled to #11 rated Saginaw Valley in week one and won an impressive 42-41 decision in overtime. Cal rallied from a 35-24 fourth quarter deficit to send the game into overtime, and after scoring a td in overtime, saw Saginaw miss the PAT for the win. Cal went on to crush C.W. Post 40-13 two weeks ago, and last Saturday defeated East Stroudsburg 45-20.
Cal has had an impressive record of 36-7 the last three seasons, winning three straight NCAA Division II East Region (Super Region 1) titles. Last year Cal lost in the D-II semi's to Northwest Missouri State (56-31). 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.
The Vulcans are led by veteran head coach John Luckhardt, who is no stranger to playoff action. Luckhardt is in his 9th season at Cal and has an overall record of 71-28 with Vulcans and has a 27-year coaching record of 208-65-2. He had a great 17-year career at Washington & Jefferson (1982-98) posting a 137-37-2 mark while winning 13 PAC Titles with 5 Regional Championships and 11 NCAA D-III appearances.
ALL-TIME SERIES TIED AT 38-38-3 DATNG BACK TO 1927
The all-time series between the two schools is tied at 38-38-3 margin in games dating back to 1927. In the past 15 years Cal has a narrow 8-7 lead, including last year's great game at Cal 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 35-31 last year, 52-20 in 2008, 56-0 in 2007, 41-14 in 2006, and 43-7 in 2005. Other Cal wins during the last 15 years came in 1997 (30-0), 1998 (30-28), 2003 (13-7).
EAGLE OFFENSE RETURNS 8 STARTERS
The Clarion offense returns 8 starters and 15 lettermen from last year and has moved the ball well in its first three games. The Eagles are #5in total offense at 391 yards per game, including #9 in rushing offense (133.7 ypd) and #4 in pass offense (257.3 ypg). Clarion is #12 in scoring offense at 17.7ppg.
Sophomore qb Eric Coxon (Pgh- Brentwood) has completed 66 of 115 passes for 772 yards and 2 td's, while backup Ben Fiscus (Fr. Indiana) has rushed for 46 yards.
ALL-AMERICAN HOGGARD LEADS BACKFIELD
Senior all-purpose back Alfonso Hoggard (Phila. – Caravel Academy) is handling the pigskin all over the field. A Football Gazette Third Team All-American in 2009, a First Team All-Region choice and the PSAC-West “Offensive Player of the Year”, Hoggard is in his final campaign.
In 2010 he has 81 rushes for 235 yards and 1 td, plus 5 catches for 44 yards.
In 2009 Hoggard was #1 in the PSAC in rushing (1,046 yards – 104.6 p/g), rushing td's (17), overall td's (19), points scored (118) and all-purpose yards (1,798). His top games included 205 rushing yards against Slippery Rock, 292 all-purpose yards and 162 rushing yards against IUP, and a 4 touchdown day against Gannon including 3 rushing td's and an 87-yard kickoff return for a td.
Hoggard started his career as a receiver/all-purpose player and was a Second Team All-American in 2008 in that role. He latched onto 41 aerials for 472 yards and 2 td's, rushed for 180 yards on only 44 attempts, averaged 10.4 yards per punt return ((21 returns, 219 yards) and 23.1 yards per kickoff return. He was also the 2007 PSAC “Rookie of the Year”. In his career Hoggard has 1,540 rushing yards on 362 carries and 19 rushing td's, plus 99 career catches for 1,107 yards and 6 td's. He has 5,031 all-purpose yards and 26 career td's.
Also expecting to see plenty of time in the backfield are John Fuhrer (So. Pgh. – Keystone Oaks) and LeVaughn Robinson (So. Pgh – Penn Hills)
ROBINSON, BUNNEY & WARD LEAD TALENTED RECEIVING CORPS
The Golden Eagles have an outstanding receiving corps returning in 2010 with All-Region performer Jacques Robinson (Sr. Pgh – Oliver), plus Craig Bunney (Sr. Ambridge) and Matt Ward (Jr. Franklin Regional) in the lineup.
Robinson has latched onto 22 passes for 265 yards and 1 td this season. In his outstanding career he is 2nd All-Time with 185 catches and is tied for 4th at Clarion in career receiving yards with 2,164. He needs 10 catches to tie Alvin Slaughter's 195 catches (1995-98) and can moved into 4th place by himself with 1 receiving yard, passing Ron Urbansky (1986-89). He has 14 career td's.
Robinson, a second team FB Gazette Super Region 1 selection and a first team PSAC-West choice in 2009, was #2 in the PSAC last year in receptions with 70 catches for 819 yards and 5 td's. His 9 catches for 123 yards and 1 td in an all-day rain at Cal was an impressive display at his position.
In 2008 he was a third team Super Region 1 and an All PSAC-West selection while leading the PSAC's regular season receivers with 70 catches (3rd best at Clarion) for 849 yards and 8 td's.
Returning as starters in 2010 are Craig Bunney and Matt Ward. Ward set a personal high with 12 catches for 118 yards against Fairmont State. Those 12 catches were tied for third most in a single game in school history. Alvin Slaughter had 14 vs WC in 1998 and Don Hohman had 13 vs Edinboro in 1965. Bunney had 3 grabs for 43 yards in the opener. Ward has 16 grabs for 166 yards this season., while Bunney has 11 catches for 150 yards.
Also looking to catch passes will be Tarrean Barrett (So. Scranton) and Rob Tantlinger (So. Franklin) at wideout, along with Anthony Becoate (Fr. McKeesport) at tight end. Becoate has 9 catches for 128 yards and 1 td this season.
BAZZONE CENTERS VETERAN “O” LINE
Clarion's “O” line will return four linemen with starting experience and a host of talented players. Two year starting guard Vince Bazzone (Jr. 6-2, 280, McKeesport) has moved to center and will be leading the “O” line. He will be joined up front by three-year starter Danielson Gilbert (Sr. 6-5, 300, OG, Brockton, Mass.) and two year letterwinner and part-time starter Gerald Hudson (Sr. 6-3, 330, Aliquippa) at guard, with two-year starter Elijah Morres (Jr., 6-5, 280, OT, Brookville) at tackle.. Quality depth abounds in letterwinners Eli Rupert (So. 6-3, 275, Apollo Ridge) and Bob Beidl (Jr. 6-8, 300, Clarion), along with tackle Mike Felker (6-4, 275, Fr. Gibsonia).
CLARION DEFENSE RETURNS 9 STARTERS
Nine starters and 21 lettermen return for a Clarion defense that was the key to Clarion's team success in 2009. Clarion's “D” is 15th in total defense giving up 386 yards per game, including 231.3 on the ground (16th in PSAC) and 154.7 through the air (#3 in PSAC).
HACKEL, MAUND & MORRISON TOP D-LINE
Maund, an All PSAC-West lineman in 2009, has 9 hit and 2 tfl's, while Morrison has 8 tackles and 5 tfl's, with Dunn ( 4 hits) and Kusick (2 stops) alternating at noseguard. Tackle John Hackel may miss this week's game with an injury.
FOX LEADS VETERAN LINEBACKING CORPS
Senior linebacker Joe Fox (Murrysville/Franklin Regional) leads consistent group of veteran linebackers in 2010. Fox, a three year starter and an All PSAC-West choice in 2009, has 15 hits and 2 tfl's this year.
Robinson has made 7 jolts with 2 tfl's and Maciulis 12 hits.
ALL-AMERICAN SIPES ANCHORS SECONDARY
Senior strong safety and co-captain Nick Sipes (Curwensville) anchors a hard hitting secondary for the Golden Eagles. Sipes leads the team with 29 tackles and 6 tfl's in 2010.
Sipes was voted an HM FB Gazette All-American, a first team FB Gazette and Daktronics All-Region and first team PSAC-West choice after leading the Golden Eagles with 112 tackles plus 12 tfl's and 6 sacks in 2009. In 2007 he also posted 71 stops and 4 tfl's. In 2008 Nick played running back and rushed for 297 yards and 3 td's, plus caught 12 passes for 104 yards.
The secondary will again not have veteran free safety Shawn Sopic (Sr. Curwensville) due to an off-season injury. A three-year starter, Sopic had 56 hits and 7 break-ups last year and in his career has 165 tackles, 14 break-ups, 4 int's and 5 tfl's..
The secondary has returning starters James Eckels (Jr. McKeesport) and Chris Smeltzer (Sr. Red Lion), at safety, along with Aaron Gluvna (So. Corry). Eckels has 14 stops and a breakup, while Smeltzer has 16 stops.
The corner spots will have Chris Wilson (Jr. Phila. – Frankford) as one starter, with Andrew Paronish (So. Northern Cambria) and Anthony Stimac (So. East Brady/Karns City) battling at the other corner position.
Wilson has 16 jolts and 2 tfl's in 2010. Last year he had 69 stops and 2 interceptions, returning one for a td against Fairmont. Paronish has 15 stops and Stimac 2.
MAMULA LEADS SPECIAL TEAMS
Senior placekicker Robert Mamula (Canon McMillan) will do the placekicking and punting the remainder of the season, since punter Nathan Conway (So. Central Mountain) is injured.
Mamula is 6 for 9 in field goals this season, including a 47-yarder against Fairmont. Last year he hit on 12 of 16 field goals and 25 of 28 PAT's. He also made 8 of 12 field goals in 2008 and in four seasons has booted 32 of 52 field goal tries. He has also made 64 of 71 PAT's and has 160 kicking points at Clarion. He also averaged 40.3 yards per punt against Shipp.
CAL OFFENSE AVERAGING 42.4 PPG IN 2010
The Cal offense has scored plenty of points this season and ranks #1 in the PSAC with 42.4 ppg. The Vulcan offense is getting 418 yards per game (#1 in PSAC), including 212.3 rushing yards (#2 in PSAC) and 205.7 passing yards (#7 in PSAC).
The Cal offense is being operated by senior qb Josh Portis, who has completed 44 of 78 passes for 612 yards and 8 td's with only 3 interceptions. He has also rushed for 96 yards.
The running game is led by Lamont Smith (73 rushes, 372 yards, 6 td's), along with Jordan Scott (112 yards).
Derrick Jones (9 catches, 195 yards, 2 td's) and Terrance Moore (9 grabs, 84 yards, 1 td) are tied for the team lead in catches, while Chedrick Cherry has 8 receptions for 189 yards and 3 td's.
CAL DEFENSE #6 IN TOTAL DEFENSE IN PSAC
Cal's defense is giving up 24.7 points per game (10 in PSAC) and 336.7 yards per game (#6 in PSAC) in total offense. Vulcan opponents are netting 119 rushing yards (#5 in PSAC) and 217.7 passing yards (#12 in PSAC) through the air.
Up front defensive ends Kevin Crawford (6 hits) and Marcus Cook (4 stops), team up with tackles Sam Fikaris (6 hits) and Thomas Mulabah (2.5 tfl's) to form the front wall.
Linebackers Brett Diamond (13 stops, 2.5 tfl's) and Anthony Roberts (12 tackles) anchor the middle, while the secondary is led by top tacklers Erik Harris (18 hits, 1 int), Rontez Miles (17 stops) and Patrick Swearinger (14 hits, 1 int). Safety Shawn Anderson has 3 int's and 14 tackles.
CLARION NOTES: Clarion is tradition rich in football ... 27 straight non-losing seasons from 1961-87, a 49-year (1961-09) record of 273-211-6 and 10 PSAC-West titles (1966, 67, 69, 77, 78, 80, 83, 92, 96 and 2000)…
CALIFORNIA SERIES NOTES: Last year (2009) 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 2005Cal 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.
