CLARION (0-7) SEEKS FIRST WIN AT FAIRMONT STATE (2-5) SATURDAY

Clarion’s young 2007 football team travels to Fairmont State this Saturday, October 20, to take on the "Fighting Falcons" in a matchup at Duvall-Rosier Field. Kickoff is set for 6pm.

The game can be heard on the Golden Eagle Football network, which includes WCCR-FM, 92.7 and WKQW-FM, 96.3, as well as on the internet at Redzonemedia.com with Mike Kalinowski doing the play by play and Pat Kahle offering color commentary.

Clarion head coach Jay Foster is in his second season leading the Golden Eagles. Foster came to the Golden Eagles after coaching 18 seasons at Slippery Rock, including the last 17 as defensive coordinator. He helped the Rock compile a 120-73-4 record, 3 NCAA Division II Playoff appearances and four straight PSAC-West crowns (1997-2000).

Clarion’s 2007 squad has a total of 15 starters and 25 lettermen returning back from 2006, but has played as many as 30 freshmen in the Eagles first seven contests. Clarion enters this week’s Fairmont State game with an 0-7 overall record and an 0-3 mark in the PSAC-West. Clarion lost the first two games at home against #28 Tiffin (38-10) and Kutztown 35-13, then traveled to #23 West Chester and lost 49-21. Clarion returned home and lost to Bloomsburg (52-10), then at #12 California (56-0), two weeks ago to Shippensburg 41-23 and last Saturday at Slippery Rock (41-18). Four of Clarion’s first five opponents have been nationally ranked this season.

Clarion was a deceiving 1-10 overall in 2006 and 0-6 in the PSAC-West. Clarion’s lone victory came against Cheyney in a 21-18 thriller at Memorial Stadium. The Golden Eagles lost 21-13 to a 10-1 Tiffin squad, led NCAA East Region champion Bloomsburg 10-7 at halftime, led IUP 7-6 at halftime, only trailed Cal 21-14 in the fourth quarter before bowing and played a very tough Edinboro team to a 13-0 loss.

The Fighting Falcons enter Saturday’s game 2-5 overall and 0-5 in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC). Fairmont opened 2007 with two straight wins winning on the road at the Apprentice School (Va.) 3-0, and then back home against North Greenville (S.C.) 21-17. Sine then five straight losses have come against West Virginia State (14-7), Shepherd (31-10), Glenville State (31-21), West Liberty (20-0) and Charleston (35-9).

Fairmont State is led by first year head coach Mike Lopez. Lopez stepped into the head coaching chair when Rusty Elliott moved from football coach to A.D. in August. Prior to that he was the defensive coordinator at FSC for 5 years. He is a 1998 graduate of Fairmont and was a two year starter and captain on the 1996 and 97 teams.

Clarion leads the overall series between the two schools by a 9-3 margin in games dating back to 1982. From 1982-91 the two schools were regulars on the overall schedule with Clarion posting a 7-3 advantage. Clarion won the first five meetings including 1982 (24-12), 1983 (21-17), 1984 (21-13), 1985 (7-2) and 1986 (14-0). Fairmont won three straight starting in 1987 (14-8), 1988 (26-25) and 1989 (51-38), before the Golden Eagles answered with wins in 1990 (31-14) and 1991 (24-21). Clarion also won the final two games of the series in 1994 (29-19) and 1995 (48-13).

The Clarion offense is getting 289.4 yards of offense per game (#11 in PSAC). The Eagles are getting 92.4 yards rushing (#12 in PSAC) and 197 (#8 in PSAC) through the air.

The starter at qb has been sophomore qb Tyler Huether (Penn Trafford). Huether has completed 64 of 134 aerials for 862 yards and 4 td’s. Huether had his best game as a starter at Clarion last week at Slippery Rock completing 23 of 34 aerials for 303 yards. Also seeing plenty of time this season has been red-shirt freshman Gino Rometo (Plum) who has hit on 49 of 105 passes for 517 yards and 2 td’s. He completed 17 of 26 for 226 yards and 1 td in the second half against Shippensburg.

Junior tailback Eddie Emmanuel, a first team PSAC-West choice in 2006, has gained 523 yards on 134 carries (3.9 p/c) in 2007. Last year he gained 967 yards on 204 carries with 3 td’s. He has had six, 100+ games at Clarion including 107 versus Kutztown and 104 against Bloomsburg.

Also toting the rock will be freshmen Ross Gargano (Sharon) (9 carries, 19 yards) and Dustin Dean (West Mifflin) (12 carries 34 yards).

Ready to catch passes are All-PSAC receiver Pierre Odom (Sr. Trenton, N.J.) and wideout Herb Carraway (Sr. Darlington, S.C.).

Odom, a four year starter, has 31 catches for 341 yards and 2 td’s in 2007. In 2006 he had 46 catches for 798 yards and 3 td’s, and caught 6 passes for 246 yards and 1 td against West Chester. Pierre enters the game with 139 career catches for 1,923 yards, also 6^th and 9 td’s. He needs 1 catch to tie former All-American Terry McFetridge at 140 catches (1982-85; 140) who is in 6^th place. He is only 71 receiving yards behind former All-America tight end Tim Brown, who had 1,994 receiving yards.

Carraway meanwhile has 24 catches for 297 yards and 1 td, while Alfonso Hoggard (Fr. Phila. Caravel Academy) has clutched 24 passes for 295 yards and 2 scores. Also a threat are Craig Bunney (Fr. Ambridge; 2 catches, 11 yards), Jaques Robinson (Fr. Pgh. Oliver; 11 catches, 126 yards), Fred Robinson (4 grabs, 146 yards, 1 td) and tight end John Dominic (Sr. Hubbard, Oh.; 7 catches, 112 yards).

Only five starters and 12 lettermen return for a Clarion defense that has led the PSAC in tfl’s in 6 of the last 7 seasons. The Eagles were 4^th in the PSAC with 80 tfl’s in 2006, while leading the league the previous six seasons with 98 tfl’s in 2005, 110 tfl’s in 2004, 106 in 2003, 113 in 2002 and 102 in 2001 and 128 in 2000.

In 2007 Clarion is yielding 500.3 yards of offense per game (14^th in PSAC) including 293 rushing yards (14^th in PSAC) and 207.3 passing yards (9^th in PSAC).

Up front sophomore Kory Kusick (E. Brady/Karns City), transfer Bob Kail (Jr. McMurray/Peters Twp.), and juniors Corey Giles (Cochranton) and Jim McHale (Jr. Cortland, Oh.) lead the Eagles. Giles 15 hits and 8 tfl’s, McHale’s 17 jolts, 3 tfl’s, Kail 11 stops and Kusick 5 tackles lead the way. Also ready up front are senior Kevin Brady (Middletown, N.Y.; 7 hits), Jason Glass (Greensburg; 20 jolts, 3 tfl’s) and Ben Maund (Fr. Canonsburg).

With linebackers Matt Morris, Kevin Rigby and Zach Gourley all graduated, the Golden Eagles several weeks ago moved senior captain Kyle Cathcart (Clarion) to linebacker to shore up the middle. Kyle has 37 tackles, 7 tfl’s and 1 interception this season. Also playing the linebacker spots are Garrett McMullin (Brookfield, Oh. - 25 jolts, 3 tfl’s), Joe Fox (Franklin Regional- 35 hits, 6 tfl’s), Arminas Maciulis (Fr. Thomas Jefferson; 16 stops), Mike Verdun (Greensburg C.C. - 15 tackles, 2 tfl’s), Chris Smeltzer (Fr. Red Lion; 11 jolts, 4 tfl’s), Rory Johnson (Fr. Bowmanville, Ont.; 16 tackles) and Josh Rytel (So. Blackhawk; 15 hits).

The secondary will be anchored by returning starter Quintyn Brazil (Jr. Pgh - Oliver) and corner Dane Williams (Jr. Penn Hills). Brazil, who has moved back to corner, has the team lead in tackles (51), plus has 2 interceptions. Williams is fourth on the team in tackles with 35 and has blocked a field goal. Matt Giugliano (Franklin Regional- 26 tackles, 2 tfl’s) will start at a safety spot and Nick Sipes (Fr. Curwensville; 41 tackles, 3 tfl’s) at the other. Also seeing plenty of time will be Shawn Sopic (Fr. Curwensville; 28 hits, 1 int) will see time at safety, while Alex Evans (Washington- 14 hits, 2 tfl’s), Patrick Pettis (Fr. Aliquippa, 12 jolts) and Kyle Payne (Fr. Cocalico, 7 hits) are ready at the corners.

Junior All-PSAC punter Nick Perla is back to lead the special teams. He has averaged 37.1 per boot and has a career long punt of 73 yards. Freshman placekicker Robert Mamula (Canon Mac) has made 6 of 13 field goals including a long of 37.

Fairmont State has an offensive unit that is getting 251.7 yards of offense per game. The Falcons are getting 108 rushing yards and 143.7 passing yards per contest. They are averaging

Fairmont has used four quarterbacks this season. Starting freshman Derek Taylor (53 of 122, 684 yards, 3 td’s), was hurt in the Glenville State game and is expected to miss this week as well. Veteran John Rahl has made 1 start and has completed 9 of 28 for 147 yards and 1 td with 8 interceptions. Vick Bradford started last week’s game and has connected on 8 of 17 for 147 yards and 1 td.

When the Falcons throw the pigskin the ball will likely head towards wideouts Allen Jewell or Demetrius Davis. Jewell grabbed 2 passes for 108 and 1 td last week and now has 20 catches for 382 yards and 1 td this season. Davis, meanwhile, has 22 receptions for 337 yards and 1 td.

The running game is paced by tailback Doug Brazill, who has 548 yards and 2 td’s on 125 attempts.Also Omoniyi Bakare has 105 yards on 31 tries and Ben Gum has 101 yards on 28 rushes.

Placekicker Alex Ashley lead sthe Falcons in scoring. He has booted 5 of 10 field goals and 6 of 7 PAT’s for 21 points.

Fairmont State’s defense is giving up 330.9 yards per game including 126.7 rushing and 204.1 passing per game..

Up front the Falcons are led by nosetackle Jessie Valentine (16 hits, 4 tfl’s) and ends Brandon Geary (35 stops, 9 tfl’s, 5 sacks) and Jacob Owens (28 tackles, 8 tfl’s, 3 sacks).

The linebackers include top tackler Vince Black (62 hits, 16 tfl’s, 2 int’s),M. J. Twyman (38 jolts, 9 tfl’s, 8 sacks) and Nate Black (33 jolts, 7 tfl’s) on the inside, with J.J. Mayer (28 hits) and Shahram Shafii (30 tackles) on the outside.

The secondary will be paced by corners Vince Vujaklya (38 stops, 1 int) and Drew Rossignol (22 tackles), along with free safety Kyle Miller (31 jolts).

CLARION NOTES: The last meeting between the two schools saw Clarion win 48-13 in 1995 at Fairmont ... Steve Witte rushed for 157 yards and 3 td’s, plus caught 4 passes for 85 yards ... Current QB coach Chris Weibel completed 15 of 22 for 219 and 2 td’s... Kim Niedbala led the defense with 11 tackles and a fumble caused ... FSC QB Jarrod Fergason completed 18 of 32 for 172 yards and 2 td’s ... Teddy Murphy grabbed 8 passes for 82 yards and 2 td’s for the Falcons... In 1994 Clarion won 29-19 at Clarion’s Memorial Stadium ... Steve Witte once again had 2 td’s, 1 rushing and 1 receiving ... Clarion jumped to a big lead right before halftime with a Witte 12-yard td pass from Craig Ray, and then Kim Niedbala posted a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown (24 seconds apart), giving Clarion a 22-7 halftime lead.... Marlon Worthy opened the second half with a 93-yard kickoff return for a td and the Eagles had their first win of 1994... Alim Kamara led the "D" with 14 tackles, 1 tfl’, 1 fumble caused and recovered and a sack ... Clint Terza had 13 stops ... Fairmont halfback Thomas Foster rushed for 132 yards on 21 carries in that game ... Fergason hit 18 of 37 passes for 202 yards and 2 td’s with 3 int’s ... The first game in this series was in 1982 and Clarion won that game as well by a 24-12 margin at Fairmont State... Clarion tailback Geoff Alexander had a career day at Fairmont rushing 30 times for 237 yards and 1 td ... He scored the game’s first td on an 80-yard run ... The game was secured with 14:07 left in the fourth qhen QB Dave Dragovich hit Terry McFetridge for a 5-yard td pass for the final margin... Clarion rushed for 319 on the day - Elton Brown also had 66 yards ...... Larry Farrell hit 12 of 34 passes for 249 yards and 2 td’s for FSC... John Harbert caught 7 passes for 105 yards for the Falcons... Jeff Chalovich led Clarion’s "D" with 14 tackles, 2 break-ups, 1 fumble caused ... Tony Colecchi had 5 hits and Mike May and Jim Trovato had sacks.