Following three straight home games, the Golden Eagles return to the road this Saturday, October 20, when Clarion travels to Lock Haven to take on the Bald Eagles at Hubert Jack Stadium. Kickoff is set for Noon.
 
            All the game action between Clarion and the Lock Haven can be heard on the Golden Eagle Football 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 3-4 start to the 2012 season and is 1-3 in the PSAC-West. The Golden Eagles are coming off back to back losses to Slippery Rock (28-20) and #16 ranked California (41-22). Clarion won its two previous games including an exciting 31-27 come from behind win over East Stroudsburg and a 13-7 win on the road at Gannon. Clarion opened the year with a thrilling 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. Clarion then dropped a hard-fought 22-14 decision at Mercyhurst in the PSAC-West opener.
 
            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 22-51.
 
LOCK HAVEN 0-7 OVERALL/0-4 IN PSAC WEST
            Lock Haven, led by second year head coach John Allen, heads into Saturday's game with an overall record of 0-7 and a PSAC-West mark of 0-4. The Bald Eagles are on a 49-game losing streak dating back to the 2007 season finale against Clarion, when the Bald Eagles defeated Clarion at Memorial Stadium by a 17-14 score in overtime. Lock Haven also set the NCAA D-II record for consecutive losses when it reached 47 a few weeks ago.
 
            The Bald Eagles opened the 2012 season with a 55-0 loss at Fordham, then lost 31-0 at East Stroudsburg and 42-0 at IUP. Lock Haven returned home and led Edinboro in the first half before losing 35-19, then lost 49-6 to a very talented Shippensburg squad. The Eagles then lost 19-10 at Meryhurst in a game that came down to the final minutes, then lost on Saturday at #15 California 30-0.
 
CLARION LEADS SERIES 44-16-1 DATING BACK TO 1928
            Clarion leads the overall series between the two schools by a 44-16-1 margin, dating back to 1928, where Clarion won the initial meeting 13-0. Clarion won last year's game 54-6 at Memorial Stadium and two years ago 49-6 at Lock Haven. Clarion also won 24-0 in 2009 and in 2008 won by a 24-21 margin at Lock Haven. LH won the meeting in 2007 by a 17-14 score in overtime at Clarion and the 2006 contest 14-7 at Hubert Jack Stadium. Clarion won 16-0 at Memorial Stadium in 2005 and the Bald Eagles won in 2004 in an exciting 16-13 overtime decision. Clarion won the 2003 game 22-9 margin. Clarion has an 11-5 record in the last 16 seasons. Other Clarion wins came in 2002 (34-31), 2001 (13-0), 2000 (42-20), 1999 (44-41 overtime), 1996 (57-3) and 1995 (49-32). Lock Haven wins came in 2006 (14-7), 2004 (16-13 ot), 1998 (35-28) and 1997 (33-32).
 
CLARION OFFENSE AVERAGING 401 YARDS & 18.1 PPG IN 2012
 
            The Clarion offense has rolled up 505 yards vs Cal, 514 against ESU and 538 yards against LIU-Post earlier in the season. The Eagles are now averaging 401 (#8 in PSAC) yards of total offense per game including 175 rushing yards (#5 in the PSAC) and 226 passing yards (#8 in the PSAC).
 
QB BEN FISCUS LEADS OFFENSE
 
            Junior signal caller Ben Fiscus (Jr. Indiana), the PSAC-West Offensive Player of the Week” vs ESU,  leads Clarion's offense. Fiscus has rushed for 557 yards and 4 td's (record 88 yd td run at LIU-Post), while completing 129 of 247 passes for 1,582 yards and 10 td's. He set Clarion records versus Cal for completions (36) and attempts (64), while passing for 410 yards (4^th most in school history). Since earning the starting qb spot midway through 2010 Fiscus has rushed for 1,876 yards (10^th at Clarion) and 15 td's on 392 attempts. Next up on the list is Demetric Gardner (1,961 yards – 1998-01). He has now passed for 3,443 career yards (291 of 580) and 22 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 & BECOATE LEAD RECEIVERS
 
            Ready to catch passes from Fiscus will be junior Jon Reid (Stafford, Va.), Aaron Barlow (Sr. Ambridge), Anthony Becoate (Sr. McKeesport), Mark Nicholas (Fr. Export/Franklin Regional) and Nick Perry (Fr. Bumpass, Va.).
 
            Reid leads the team with 38 catches for 636 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 this year, the 212 yards tied for third most in a single game with Tom Kurts who had 212 vs Shippensburg in 1967. Barlow has 29 catches for 307 yards, while Becoate has 12 catches for 117 yards and 1 td. He clutched 13 aerials for 186 yards and 1 td last year and now has career totals of 40 catches, 506 yards, 5 td's. Nicholas and Perry are true freshmen. Nicholas has 4 catches for 39 yards and 2 td's, while Perry has 15 grabs for 154 yards and 3 td's.
 
            Also expected to see action are Caleb Mancini (So. Beaver Falls/Blackhawk) and 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 2012. He has missed the last two games, but is hopeful to return this Saturday. Thomas is second on the team with 113 rushes for 502 yards and 3 td's (Ranks #6 in PSAC at 100.4) while also catching 5 passes for 47 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) with 101 yards and 1 td and   Chris Liberto (Fr. Springdale).
 
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 either Matt Kundick (So. Beaver) or 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 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 347.6 yards per game (#4 in the PSAC) including 134.9 rushing (#6 in  PSAC)  and 212.7 passing yards (#5 in the PSAC). 
 
DEFENSIVE FRONT LOOKS SOLID
 
            Clarion's defensive line has been strong in the first two games. Paving the way up front are Julian Howsare (So. Altoona), Adam Bostick (Jr. Lititz), Jacob Heintz (So. Pine-Richland), Sean Motley (Sr. West Mifflin), Matt Shuey (So. Johnsonburg), Andrew Fragale (Fr. Emporium/Cameron County and Ryan Slack (Sr. Norwin). Howsare had 4 sacks and 8 hits against ESU and won his second consecutive PSAC West P.O.W. Award.  Howsare has 35 hits, 11 tfl's and 10 sacks this year, to go with 29 tackles, 4 sacks and 7 tfl's last year. Bostick has 20 tackles, 5 tfl's, 3 sacks, 2 pass breakups and 1 interception. Heintz (21 hits, 7 tfl's, 6 sacks), Motley (2 tfl's, 1 sack), Shuey (18 stops, 5 tfl's), Fragale (21 hits, 7 tfl's, 3 sacks) and Slack (2 tfl's).
 
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 has 39 hits,  missed the Cal game and most of the Slippery Rock contest. He is questionable for Saturday. Palmiere leads the team with 54 tackles and 4 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) and Rocco Yauger (Fr. Penn Trafford). Yauger has 40 stops and 5 tfl's.
 
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 28 tackles, 2 fumbles caused, 2 int's and 1 fumble recovery. He had 41 stops, 2 tfl's, 1 fumble recovery and 1 fumble caused in 2011 and has career numbers showing 139 tackles, 4 int's, 2 tfl's.
 
Stimac, a team captain in 2012, is sixth on the team with 30 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 118 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 10 tackles, 1 tfl and 1 fumble caused, with Long collecting 32 jolts, 4 tfl's and 3 break-ups. McWreath has 21 stops and 3 tfl's, King 18 hits and 1 int and Asamoah 7 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 36.3 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.
 
LH OFFENSE AVERAGING 198.8 YARDS PER GAME
 
            The Lock Haven offense ranks #16 in the PSAC averaging 5.8 points per game and 198.8 yadrs per game. The Eagles are getting 54.7 rushing yards (#15 in the PSAC) and 144.2 passing yards (#15 in the PSAC) per game.
 
            The offense will be led by quarterback Jarrett Kratzer, who has completed 88 of 172 passes for 878 yards and 2 td's.
 
            His top targets are wide receivers Eddie Celkos (16 catches, 150 yards) and Jesse Hoover (9 grabs, 105 yards, 1 td), tight end Jerome Charles (10 catches, 93 yards) and running back Brandon Brader (14 receptions, 41 yards).
 
            Brader is also the top running back rushing for 329 yards and 2 td's on 123 carries.
 
LOCK HAVEN DEFENSE YIELDING 421.5 YARDS PER GAME
 
            The lh defense is yielding 421.5 yards (#11 in PSAC) and 34.3 points (#13 in PSAC) per game. Opponents are rushing for 173.5 yards (#11 in the PSAC) and passing for 248 yards (#9 in the PSAC) per outing.
 
            Lock Haven's defense up front includes Zach Edelheiser (11 tackles) at nose, Skyler Wool (22 tackles, 4.5 tfl's) at tackle and Nick Suriano (16 hits) and Ben Snyder (20 jolts, 2 tfl's) at the ends.
 
            The linebackers are led by James Goins (44 tackles, 5 tfl's) in the middle with Matt Kirchner (34 hits) and Ryan good (28 stops) on the outside.
 
            The secondary boasts leading tackler George Christas (48 tackles, 1 int) at safety, with Tyrai Anderson (1 int) and Derrick Watkins (29 stops, 1 tfl) at the corners and Tyrail Morgan (27 hits, 3 tfl's) at hero.
 
CLARION NOTES:   CLARION – LOCK HAVEN SERIES – 2011 – Clarion won 54-6 at Memorial Stadium – Clarion rushed for 423 yards in its 54-6 win against LH … QB Ben Fiscus rushed for 204 yards and 2 td's, plus passed for 2 td's in leading Clarion to the win … The defense held LH 171 yards of offense … Mike Zak led the team with 12 tackles… 2010 – Clarion won 49-6 at LHU … Fiscus completed 16 of 16 for 187 yards and 4 td's … Fiscus also ran for 78 yards and 1 td … Jacques robinson grabbed 7 passes for 84 yards and 1 td and broke the Clarion career receiving record in that game… Burkett completed 13 of 24 passes for 134 yards and 1 td … Jay Hartman caught 4 for 66 yards and 1 td … Barrington Morrison had 3 tfl's – 2 sacks in that game … 2009 – Clarion won 24-0 … Alfonso Hoggard ran for 114 yards and 2 td;s … Tyler Huether hit on 14 of 21 passes for 133 yards and 1 td … Jacques Robinson had 5 grabs for 55 yards and 1 td… LH  qb Jarret Kratzer was 22 of 38 for 184 yards … the LH running game netted a minus 7 yards on 26 attempts  - 2008 - Clarion rallied for the game's final 10 points to win a 24-21 decision at Lock Haven ... Eddie Emmanuel scored on a 4-yard run with 27-seconds left in the third, and Robert Mamula booted a 27-yard field goal with 3:30 to play to claim the win ... Clarion outgained LH 472-188 ... Huether completed 19 of 33 passes for 219 yards and 1 td, plus ran for 94 yards... Emmanuel rushed for 91 yards and 2 td's ... 2007 Clarion lost 17-14 in overtime ... Clarion tied the game 14-14 with 3:58 left on an Eddie Emmanuel 1-yard run ... Nick Sipes' 47-yard field goal attempt in ot was just short ... Marc Domonkos booted a 35-yarder to win the game ... Huether passed for 245 yards and ran for 54 yards ... Hoggard caught 9 passes for 66 yards... LH - led by Ibrahim Smith who rushed for 139 yards and 2 td's, including a 64-yard td ... In 2006 Clarion lost 14-7 at Lock Haven ... Clarion outgained LH 281-186 ... LH jumped ahead 7-0 before halftime and 14-0 to open the third quarter ... Clarion scored on a 32-yard pass from Huether to Odom but it was not enough ... Emmanuel rushed for 122 yards on 23 carries ... Huether completed 10 of 26 for 137 yards and 1 td, Odom caught 5 for 75 and 1 td ... DiPaolo was 7 of 17 for 115 yards and 1 td, plus ran for 12 yards... In 2005 Clarion won 16-0 at Memorial Stadium … Clarion outgained LH 269-107 … Michael Byrd rushed 39 times for 90 yards and 1 td … Erik Yonish completed 9 of 12 passes for 76 yards, plus ran 50yards for a td, and Kyle Snoke booted a 31-yard field goal … The “D” held LH to 44 rushing yards … Jimmy Simmons had 5 tfl's, Gourley 11 stops and Morris hits and 3 tfl's … In 2004 at Lock Haven the Bald Eagles won in overtime 16-13... Clarion rallied to tie the game 10-10 with 20-seconds left in regulation on an 11-yard pass from Dando to Joe Farkas... Clarion got to the 3 in the overtime, but had to call on Kyle Snoke for the field goal and a 13-10 lead... LH QB Tim Storino hit Rafael Smith on a 24-yard pass to the 1, then Travis Diehl scored from there to give LH the win ... In 2003 Clarion won 22-9 over Lock Haven... The defense had a big game posting 6 interceptions... Troy Bowers returned an int 22-yards for a score... With the game tied 9-9 in the fourth, Marcus Lowe scored on a 1-yard run (4:59 left) and Felton Woulard scored on an 8-yard run (0:44 remaining)... Bo Busch and Jabari Weatherspoon had 2 interceptions each... In 2002 Clarion topped Lock Haven 34-31 at Lock Haven... Clarion scored 27 second half points including 20 in the fourth to seal the win... QB Adam Almashy ran for 163 yards and 1 td, plus passed for 66 yards... Robert Walker also ran for 151 yards and 1 td as Clarion rushed for 468 yards, the second most in school history... LH QB Tim Storino passed for 290 yards and 2 td's ... Burkely grabbed 5 passes for 124 yards and 1 td.... In 2001 Clarion topped Lock Haven 13-0 at Lock Haven ... Demetric Gardner ran for 112 yards and 1 td ... Adam Almashy completed 13 of 20 passes for 164 yards ... Clarion had 427 yards, while Lock Haven had 106 yards of offense ... Clarion won (42-20 in 2000) and (44-41 in 3 overtimes in 1999) -  Both games were in Clarion due to new PSAC schedules taking over ... In 2000 Clarion rushed for a school record 443 yards including 177 and 2 td's by Robert Walker and 169 by fullback Tab Musser ... In 1999's Senior Day game, Clarion placekicker Frank VanWert booted a 34-yard field goal in the third overtime to give Clarion a 44-41 win.