WEEK 6

Clarion’s young 2007 football team returns home this Saturday, October 6, when the Golden Eagles host Shippensburg at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff for Clarion’s Homecoming Day game, which is also part of (ALF) week, will be at 2pm.

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 28 freshmen in the Eagles first five contests. Clarion enters this week’s Shippensburg game with an 0-5 overall record, having lost the opener to #28 Tiffin (38-10), Kutztown 35-13, at #23 West Chester (49-21), to previously ranked Bloomsburg (52-10) and at #12 California (56-0). 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.

Shippensburg enters the contest with an 0-5 record, also against a very tough schedule. The Red Raiders opened 2007 with three road losses to #9 Shepherd (19-14), Liberty (35-14) and Kutztown 28-16. The Raiders returned home to lose to #19 West Chester (34-29) and last week to Edinboro (33-18).

Shipp is led by 18^th year head coach Rocky Rees who has a record of 102-91-1 at Shippensburg and an overall collegiate record of 138-106-2 in 23 seasons. In 2004 Shippensburg posted a 10-2 overall record including a trip to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. The Raiders lost in the first round to West Chester (33-28). It was their first NCAA bid since 1981.

In a series that dates back to 1955, Clarion leads the overall series 33-17-1. Clarion lost last year’s meeting 35-10, as well as a 37-0 at Shippensburg in 2005 and a 44-0 loss in 2004 at Memorial Stadium. Clarion last defeated Shippensburg in 2000 in a wild 56-49 contest. In the last 12 years Shipp holds a 9-3 advantage over the Golden Eagles. Clarion wins were in 1995 (31-9), 1996 (59-20) and 2000 (59-46). Ship wins were in 1997, (37-14), 1998 (38-3), 1999 (32-26), 2001 (34-29), 2002 (20-19). 2003 (13-0), 2004 (44-0), 2005 (37-0.) and 2006 (35-10).

The Clarion offense is getting 265.4 yards of offense per game (#12 in PSAC). The Eagles are getting 101.8 yards rushing (#11 in PSAC) and 163.6 (#11 in PSAC) through the air.

The starter at qb has been sophomore qb Tyler Huether (Penn Trafford). Huether has completed 36 of 86 aerials for 527 yards and 4 td’s. He has a qb rating of 94.73. He was injured in the second quarter against Cal and his status is questionable. If he is unable to go the Eagles will rely on red-shirt freshman Gino Rometo (Plum) who has hit on 32of 79 passes for 291 yards and 1 td.

Junior tailback Eddie Emmanuel, a first team PSAC-West choice in 2006, has gained 424 yards on 99 carries (4.3 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) (11 carries 32 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 25 catches for 277 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 132 career catches for 1,853 yards yards and 9 td’s. His 133 catches ranks 7^th and 1,859 yards ranks 6^th in Clarion history.

Carraway meanwhile has 15 catches for 200 yards and 1 td, while Alfonso Hoggard (Fr. Phila. Caravel Academy) has clutched 12 passes for 133 yards and 2 scores. Also a threat are Craig Bunney (Fr. Ambridge; 2 catches, 11 yards), Fred Robinson (1 grab, 53 yards) and tight end John Dominic (Sr. Hubbard, Oh.; 4 catches, 69 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 513 yards of offense per game (14^th in PSAC) including 274.6 rushing yards (14^th in PSAC) and 238.4 passing yards (11^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 12 hits and 6 tfl’s, McHale’s 15 jolts, 3 tfl’s, Kail 9 stops and Kusick 2 tackles lead the way. Also ready up front are senior Kevin Brady (Middletown, N.Y.; 5 hits), Jason Glass (Greensburg; 16 jolts, 2 tfl’s) and Ben Maund (Fr. Canonsburg).

With linebackers Matt Morris, Kevin Rigby and Zach Gourley all graduated, the Golden Eagles last week moved senior captain Kyle Cathcart (Clarion) to linebacker to shore up the middle. Kyle has 24 tackles and 5 tfl’s this season. Also playing the linebacker spots are Garrett McMullin (Brookfield, Oh. - 12 jolts, 1 tfl), Joe Fox (Franklin Regional- 27 hits, 5 tfl’s), Arminas Maciulis (Fr. Thomas Jefferson; 7 stops), Mike Verdun (Greensburg C.C. - 15 tackles, 2 tfl’s), Chris Smeltzer (Fr. Red Lion; 9 jolts, 3 tfl’s), Rory Johnson (Fr. Bowmanville, Ont.; 12 tackles) and Josh Rytel (So. Blackhawk; 13 hits).

The secondary will be anchored by returning starters Quintyn Brazil (Jr. Pgh - Oliver) and Erik Yonish (Sr. Bethel Park). Brazil, who has moved back to corner, is tied for the team lead in tackles (32), plus has 2 interceptions. Yonish, meanwhile, also has 32 stops and 2 tfl’s. Matt Giugliano (Franklin Regional- 17 tackles, 2 tfl’s) started at strong safety against Cal, while junior Dane Williams (Penn Hills- 26 tackles, 1 blocked field goal) will start at corner. Nick Sipes (Fr. Curwensville; 32 tackles, 3 tfl’s) and Shawn Sopic (Fr. Curwensville; 16 hits, 1 int) will see time at the safety spots, while Alex Evans (Washington- 12 hits, 2 tfl’s), Patrick Pettis (Fr. Aliquippa, 9 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 34.3 per boot and has a career long punt of 73 yards. Freshman placekicker Robert Mamula (Canon Mac) has made 4 of 9 field goals including a long of 37.

The Raiders have moved the ball in 2007 getting 334.2 yards of offense (8^th in PSAC) including 107.4 (9^th in PSAC) and 226.8 passing yards (7^th in PSAC).

Shippensburg’s Wing-T offense is directed by senior quarterback Gabe Maiocco who has completed 91 of 184 passes for 1,096 yards and 5 td’s with 5 int’s.

The running game features fullbacks Aaron Dykes (50 carries, 204 yards, 4 tf’s) and Chris Lynch (44 rushes, 205 yards, 2 td’s) and halfbacks Dave Richards (39 carries, 92 yards) and Kyle Fogarty (17 runs, 86 yards). Fogarty also has 14 catches for 145 yards out of the backfield.

The receivers are led by Mike Harris (29 catches, 355 yards, 2 td’s), Howard Chavous (23 grabs, 332 yards, 1 td) and tight end Mark Rossi (11 receptions, 128 yards, 1 td).

Shippensburg’s defense is giving up 330.4 yards per game (#5 in PSAC) including 133.6 rushing (#4 in PSAC) and 196.8 passing (#9 in PSAC).

Up front the Raiders are led by noseguard Antoine Parks (3 tfl’s), tackle Mike Apgar (11 stops, 3 tfl’s) and ends Jason Groller (17 tackles, 4 tfl’s) and Josh Emberg (23 stops, 6 tfl’s).

The linebacking corps is strong behind Jaron Nalewak (38 hits, 8 tfl’s), Bill Morrison (32 tackles, 3 tfl’s), Andy Casale (25 jolts) and Josh Oswalt (19 stops, 3 tfl’s).

The secondary will be led by top tackler Jonathan Aldridge (42 stops, 3 tfl’s) at strong safety and Josh Harding (15 tackles) at free safety. The corners will be Reggie Farrior (22 tackles) and Gus Macfoy (13 tackles).

CLARION NOTES: In last year’s game Clarion led 3-0 at halftime and outgained Ship130-52 in the first half ... But the Raiders scored 35 second half points to win 35-10... Emmanuel rushed for 75 yards, Matt Foradora caught 4 passes for 60 yards and Huether completed 8 of 26 for 91 yards... Maiocco completed 5 of 13 for 107 yards and 2 td’s ... Richards ran for 106 yards and 1 td and Dykes rushed for 58 yards and 1 td... In Ship’s 20-19 win at Clarion in 2002, Brian Sekel’s 18-yard td catch with 6:47 left in the game provided the margin of victory... Clarion had 307 total yards with 60 on the ground and 247 through the air ... Ship had 258 overall including 185 rushing and 73 passing ...Adam Almashy passed for 247 yards and 2 td’s... Ship’s John Kuhn gained 184 yards and 1 td on 31 carries... In 2000 at Memorial Stadium the two teams combined for a Clarion record 105-points as Clarion won a 56-49 shootout ... Clarion held what looked to be comfortable leads in the third quarter of 49-14 and 56-21, before the Raiders mounted a furious comeback... Adam Almashy stole the show completing 16 of 26 passes for 282 yards and 5 td’s, while also rushing for a td... Tab Musser led the Eagle ground attack with 93 yards... Clarion outgained Shipp in that game 576 - 391.