WEEK 11

Clarion’s young 2007 football team closes the season this Saturday, November 10, as the Golden Eagles host Lock Haven in a PSAC-West matchup at Memorial Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 1pm for a game that will also serve as Senior Day at Clarion, with seniors DT- Kevin Brady (Middletown, N.Y.), WR - Herb Carraway (Darlington, S.C.), LB - Kyle Cathcart (Clarion), TE - John Dominic (Hubbard, Oh.), OG - Mike Melampy (Vandalia, Oh.), OT - Mike O’Brien (Minersville), and WR - Pierre Odom (Trenton, N.J.) honored in pre-game ceremonies.

The game can also 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 ten contests. Clarion enters this week’s Lock Haven game with an 0-10 overall record and an 0-5 mark in the PSAC-West. The Golden Eagles have been very close to victory in the last three weeks. Last Saturday the Eagles had four leads in the first half, but ended up falling to Edinboro 49-30. Two weeks ago Clarion led 21-10 over #20 ranked IUP in the third quarter before the Crimson Hawks rallied and then held on for a 38-31 win. Three weeks ago Clarion led Fairmont State 14-7 at halftime and 14-13 in the fourth quarter before dropping a 21-14 decision to the Falcons. In that game Clarion also drove from its own 9 to the FSC 2 and a chance to tie before the drive stalled with 1:39 remaining. The young Golden Eagles keep knocking on the door and looking for their first victory.

The season opened with two home losses to #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), before dropping a 41-23 decision to Shippensburg and a 41-18 loss to Slippery Rock.

Lock Haven also enters the game with an 0-10 overall record. The Bald Eagles lost 20-0 at VMI, returned homr for a 58-13 loss to East Stroudsburg, then hit the road for losses against Millersville (19-10), Youngstown State (35-3), Cheyney (30-19) and Edinboro (70-19). Returning home, LH sustained losses to California (27-3) and IUP (44-13), before losing 56-10 at Shippensburg and last Thursday night at home against Slippery Rock 27-11.

Lock is under the direction of third year head coach John Klacik, who has a career record at Lock Haven of 7-26.

Clarion leads the overall series between the two schools by a 40-15-1 margin, dating back to 1928.

Last year Lock Haven edged Clarion 14-7 at Hubert Jack Stadium. Two years ago Clarion won 16-0 at Memorial Stadium. In 2004 the Bald Eagles won a 16-13 overtime decision, while Clarion won in 2003 by a 22-9 margin. Clarion has an 8-4 record in the last 12 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).

The Clarion offense is getting 312.1 yards of offense per game (#11 in PSAC). The Eagles are getting 99 yards rushing (#12 in PSAC) and 213.1 (#7 in PSAC) through the air.

The starter at qb has been sophomore qb Tyler Huether (Penn Trafford). Huether has completed 127 of 252 aerials (50.4%) for 1,614 yards and 9 td’s. Huether passed for 303 yards against SR completing 23 of 34, and last week was 22 of 35 for 262 yards and 2 td’s against Edinboro. 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 693 yards on 170 carries (4.1 p/c) with 6 td’s in 2007. Last year he gained 967 yards on 204 carries with 3 td’s. He has had seven career, 100+ games at Clarion including three this year against Kutztown (107), Bloomsburg (104) and Fairmont (103).

Also toting the rock will be freshmen Ross Gargano (Sharon) (11 carries, 33 yards) and Dustin Dean (West Mifflin) (26 carries 70 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 49 catches for 598 yards and 5 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 157 career catches for 2,180 yards, and 12 td’s. He is third in career catches behind only Alvin Slaughter (195; 1995-98) and Tim Brown (169; 1990-93). He is third in receiving yards behind Slaughter (2,860) and Terry McFetridge (2,711; 1982-85).

Carraway meanwhile has 34 catches for 421 yards and 1 td, while Alfonso Hoggard (Fr. Phila. Caravel Academy) has clutched 39 passes for 439 yards and 3 scores. Also a threat are Craig Bunney (Fr. Ambridge; 2 catches, 11 yards), Jaques Robinson (Fr. Pgh. Oliver; 22 catches, 229 yards), Fred Robinson (6 grabs, 168 yards, 1 td) and tight end John Dominic (Sr. Hubbard, Oh.; 11 catches, 177 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 492.1 yards of offense per game (14^th in PSAC) including 270.8 rushing yards (14^th in PSAC) and 221.3 passing yards (10^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 28 hits and 9 tfl’s, McHale’s 27 jolts, 6 tfl’s, Kail 20 stops and Kusick 13 tackles lead the way. Also ready up front are senior Kevin Brady (Middletown, N.Y.; 8 hits), Jason Glass (Greensburg; 26 jolts, 4 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 65 tackles, 11 tfl’s and 1 interception this season. Also playing the linebacker spots are Garrett McMullin (Brookfield, Oh. - 51 jolts, 4 tfl’s), Joe Fox (Franklin Regional- 37 hits, 6 tfl’s), Arminas Maciulis (Fr. Thomas Jefferson; 23 stops), Mike Verdun (Greensburg C.C. - 17 tackles, 2 tfl’s, 2 int’s), Chris Smeltzer (Fr. Red Lion; 14 jolts, 4 tfl’s), Rory Johnson (Fr. Bowmanville, Ont.; 19 tackles) and Josh Rytel (So. Blackhawk; 15 hits).

The secondary will be anchored by returning starter Quintyn Brazil (Jr. Pgh - Oliver) and freshman strong safety Nick Sipes (Curwensville). Brazil, who has moved back to corner, has the team lead in tackles (73), plus has 2 interceptions. Sipes, who is coming on strong, also has 64 stops (36 solos) and 4 tfl’s. Likely seeing time at the corners will be Patrick Pettis (Fr. Aliquippa, 24 hits), Alex Evans (Fr. Washington - 21 tackles, 2 tfl’s) and Dane Williams (Jr. Penn Hills - 39 jolts, 1 blocked field goal). Shawn Sopic will start at free safety (40 tackles, 1 int), with Matt Giugliano (Fr. Franklin Regional - 40 stops, 3 tfl’s) and Kyle Payne (Fr. Cocalico - 11 hits) also ready in the secondary.

Junior All-PSAC punter Nick Perla is back to lead the special teams. He has averaged 36.6 per boot and has a career long punt of 73 yards. Freshman placekicker Nick Sipes has jumped into the kicking role. He is 3-4 in field goals and 7 of 9 in PAT’s.

Lock Haven’s offense has been struggling a bit in 2007. The Bald Eagles are getting 176.3 yards per game (14^th in PSAC), including 77.8 rushing yards (13^th in PSAC) and 98.5 passing yards (13^th in PSAC).

LH will likely use two quarterbacks on Saturday. The starter has been freshman Tyler Golden, who has hit on 26 of 55 passes for 216 yards, 0 td’s and 3 int’s. Also expected in the game is 2006 starter Ilio DiPaolo who has completed 76 of 157 aerials for 626 yards and 3 td’s with 9 int’s. DiPaolo is also the team’s third best runner with 209 yards and 1 td to his credit.

The running game features tailbacks Ibrahim Smith (114 carries, 381 yards, 4 td’s) and Dwight Carroll (74 rushes, 271 yards). The fullbacks will be Gerald Thompson (37 yards, 1 td) and Steve Loomis (30 yards, 1 td).

Lock Haven’s receivers are led by Chris Hawkins (35 catches, 351 yards), DaMar Dowell (17 grabs, 218 yards, 3 td’s) and Smith out of the backfield (16 grabs, 130 yards).

Lock Haven’s defense is giving up 459.6 yards per game (#13 in PSAC) including 249.1 rushing (#13 in PSAC) and 210.5 passing yards (#10 in PSAC) per game.

Up front the Eagles are led by tackles Chad Collier (9 stops) and Mike Chatburn (41 hits, 2 tfl’s), along with ends Dustin Harsch (32 tackles, 4 sacks) and Josh Moran (15 hits).

The linebackers feature top tackler Corey Gildea (95 stops, 1 int), Adam Andrasko (65 tackles, 3 tfl’s) and Shawn Crebs (59 jolts, 2 int’s).

The secondary has corners Aaron Pryer (32 tackles, 3 int’s) and Mike Nesby (20 hits), with Shane Barie (68 jolts) at free safety and Sharif Proctor (53 hits, 1 int) at strong safety.

CLARION NOTES: Last year 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...