2006 Clarion Football
GOLDEN EAGLES SEEK FIRST WIN AT KUTZTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT
After losing a hard-fought 21-13 decision at Tiffin last Saturday, Clarion will put its traveling shoes on once again this Saturday and travel East to take on the Golden Bears of Kutztown.
Kickoff at Kutztown’s University Field is set for 6:05pm.
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 describing the action.
FOSTER BEGINS 1ST YEAR AT CLARION
Clarion opened the Jay Foster era last Saturday at Tiffin with the Golden Eagles losing a 21-13 decision to the talented Dragons. The first year head coach is certainly no stranger to PSAC and Division II football. Foster coached for 18 seasons at Slippery Rock before coming to Clarion, and was the defensive coordinator at The Rock for 17 of those years. While at Slippery Rock Foster helped those teams compile a 120-73-4 record, 3 NCAA Div. II Playoff appearances and four straight PSAC-West crowns (1997-2000). A native of Berwick, Maine, Foster is a 1985 graduate of Plymouth State, coached two seasons under Danny Hale at West Chester before going to Slippery Rock.
2005 EAGLES 3-7 OVERALL/1-5 IN PSAC-WEST
The Golden Eagles were 3-7 in 2005 and 1-5 in the PSAC-West. The three victories came in a record-setting four overtime win over Kutztown (29-23), a 15-12 come-from-behind victory over Mansfield and a 16-0 shutout win over Lock Haven.
KUTZTOWN IN SEASON OPENER UNDER NEW COACH RAY MONICA
The game will also be the 2006 season opener for Kutztown, which will be playing its first night game in school history while unveiling its new “A-Turf” Field. First year head coach Ray Monica comes to the Golden Bears from Temple, where he was the defensive coordinator for 8 seasons (through 2005). He also has experience on the coaching staff at North Alabama which won three straight D-II titles from 1993-95.
GOLDEN BEARS POST 2-8 RECORD IN 2005
Last season Kutztown notched a 2-8 overall record and a 2-4 mark in the PSAC-East. The two victories came against Mansfield (45-18) and Cheyney (29-12). Losses were against Shippensburg (10-3), Clarion in a PSAC record 4 overtimes (29-23), S. Conn. State (31-28), West Chester (48-21), Bloomsburg (12-0), East Stroudsburg (42-14), Millersville (23-20) and Edinboro (33-7).
CLARION LEADS OVERALL SERIES 13-4
Clarion leads the overall series between the two schools 13-4 dating back to 1941. More recently the Eagles have won five of the last eight games played from 1998-2005. Last year Clarion posted a 29-23 victory in 4 overtimes, setting a new PSAC record for most overtimes in a game. Kutztown topped Clarion in 2004 at Kutztown 25-14 while taking advantage of several Eagle turnovers. In 2003 Kutztown edged Clarion 20-19 at Memorial Stadium on a missed Clarion fourth quarter PAT. In 2002 Clarion won a 31-7 game at Kutztown, while also posting a 36-7 victory in 2001. The Bears downed Clarion 17-14 at Kutztown in 2000, with Clarion winning 31-21 in 1999 and in 1998 by a 23-16 margin. The game between the two schools with the most on the line came in 1980 when Clarion downed Kutztown 15-14 in the PSAC title game at Clarion.
CLARION RUNNING GAME LOOKS POTENT
The Clarion offense rushed for 169 yards against Tiffin on Saturday, but passed for only 25 yards and a total offense of 194 yards. Clarion ranks 3rd in the PSAC in rushing offense, 12th in passing offense and 9th in total offense.
RUPERT & EMANUEL LEAD CLARION OFFENSE
Red-shirt freshman quarterback Mark Rupert (Knoch), started against Tiffin and will start again this Saturday. Rupert hit on 3 of 10 passes for 25 yards and 1 td. He also ran 9 times for 32 yards and 1 td. He will be backed up by true freshman Tyler Huether (Penn Trafford) and transfer Ryan Hart (Cochranton). Rupert passed for 3,466 yards and 29 td’s in high school. Hart completed 8 of 20 passes last year at SR, while Huether passed for 5,607 yards and 46 td’s in his career. He completed 169 of 290 passes for 2,397 yards and 17 td’s as a senior.
Junior tailback Eddie Emanuel (Hempstead, N.Y.) had a tremendous effort in his first Clarion start at Tiffin. He toted the pigskin 29 times for 136 yards and helped set up both Clarion td’s. Also ready to run will be junior Dan Grazier (Tyrone) and freshman Randy Mengel (Asheville, N.C.). The fullback position will be manned by either Kevin Brady (Middletown, N.Y.) or Keith Gruber (Baltimore, Md.), both juniors.
BROWN & ODOM LEAD TALENTED RECEIVERS
The receiving corps has talent with junior transfer Clint Brown (Hyannis, Mass.) and 2004 starter Pierre Odom (Jr. Trenton, N.J.). Brown caught 1 pass for 3 yards against Tiffin, while Odom had 1 grab for 11 yards and a touchdown. Odom grabbed 33 passes for 418 yards and 3 td’s in 2004 and currently has 63 career grabs for 795 yards and 5 td’s.
Also ready for action at receiver are Jewell Stephens (Sr. Penn Hills), Dane Williams (So. Penn Hills) and Herb Carraway (Jr. Darlington, S.C.).
The tight end position will have sophomore Matt Foradora (Falls Creek/Brockway), senior John Dominic (Hubbard, Oh.) and freshman Jason Glass (Greensburg C.C.) ready to play. Foradora also had 1 catch for 11 yards against Tiffin.
SNYDER & DELIERE ANCHOR VETERAN LINE
Clarion’s “O” line looks very strong up front with the return of two-time All-Region center Zack Snyder (Sr. Alron, Oh.) and 2004 All-Region guard Eric Deliere (Sr. Washington/Burgettstown). Deliere missed the final 7 games of 2005 with an injury. Returning starting tackle Mike O’Brien (Jr. Minersville) and guard Mike Melampy (Jr. Vandalia, Oh.) give the Eagles a formidable front wall. Also looking to start are red-shirt freshman Jon Kalchthaler (Gibsonia/Deer Lakes) and Pete Rodeno (Jr. Avon, Oh.)
CLARION 5TH IN PSAC IN TOTAL DEFENSE
Clarion’s defense played a quality game against a talented Tiffin unit last Saturday. The Golden Eagles held Tiffin to 116 rushing yards and 156 passing yards for a total offense of 272. Tiffin had gained 406 rushing yards the previous week against Missouri Rolla and a total offense of 551.
Clarion’s defense has led the PSAC in tfl’s for the past six seasons. Clarion had 98 tfl’s in 2005, 110 tfl’s in 2004, 106 in 2003, 113 in 2002 and 102 in 2001 and 128 in 2000.
SIMMONS & GILES LEAD BATTLE UP FRONT
Clarion’s front defensive wall will be led by returning starters Jimmy Simmons (Jr. Huntland, Tenn.) and Corey Giles (So. Cochranton ). Simmons had 5 tackles including 3 tfl’s in the opener, while Giles posted 1 stop. Also ready up front are Rich McCune (Slippery Rock – Laurel) who had 4 tackles in the opener, along with Kyle Cathcart (Clarion), Steve Baisey (Fr. Gaithersburg, Md.), Kory Kusick (Fr. East Brady - Karns City) and Nate Griffin (San Antonio, Tx.).
MORRIS, GOURLEY & RIGBY TOUGH MIDDLE TANDEM
The middle has three talented senior linebackers to anchor the defense. Matt Morris (Boiling Springs), a 2005 Third team Football Gazette All-American, leads the way after getting 7 stops and 1 sack against Tiffin. He now has 256 career tackles and 46 tfl’s. He is joined by seniors Zach Gourley (McIntyre) and Kevin Rigby (Cortland, Oh.). Gourley led the team at Tiffin with 8 stops and 1 tfl, while Rigby, a third team All-Region selection in 2004, totaled 2 hits. Gourley has totaled 178 career stops & 25 tfl’s), Rigby 133 hits & 13 tfl’s). d 4 interceptions. Also expecting to see time will be Colin McDonough (Fr. State College), Phil Berta (So. Pgh- Baldwin) and Josh Rytel (Fr. Beaver Falls - Blackhawk).
WOODARD & BRAZIL LEAD SECONDARY
Back to anchor the secondary will be corners 2004 All-Region corner Dwaon Woodard (Sr. Erie - Central) and Quintyn Brazil (So. Pgh - Oliver). Woodard had 3 stops at Tiffin and now has 129 career tackles, 6 interceptions and 19 break-ups. Brazil had 2 stops and 1 break up on Saturday. Corners Brian Edwards (So. Cincinnati, Oh.) and A.J. Graves (Fr. Jeannette) and safeties Erik Yonish (Jr. Bethel Park) and Tom Schreppel (So. Shenandoah) are expect to pick up the defense. Yonish, a two-year letterwinner at quarterback has moved to safety and posted 3 tackles last Saturday.
SNOKE & PERLA RETURN TO SPECIAL TEAMS
Senior placekicker Kyle Snoke (Sr. Harbor Creek - Cathedral Prep), who connected on 6 of 7 field goals in 2004, including a 46-yarder against West Chester, returns as the placekicker, while All-PSAC punter Nick Perla (So. Irwin - Penn Trafford) returns to boot the pigskin. Perla averaged 38.9 yards per boot last week and 38.4 yards per boot last year.
KUTZTOWN OFFENSE RETURNS 8 STARTERS
Kutztown’s offense a year ago averaged 19 points per game and 268.1 yards of total offense. The Golden Bears averaged 114.7 rushing yards and 153.4 passing yards per game.
Returning to lead the Bear offense is quarterback Kyle Spotts who completed 128 of 270 passes for 1,297 yards and 11 td’s with 9 interceptions last year.
The running game is strong with tailbacks Maurice Adams and Tyler Dinnis ready to tote the pigskin. Adams led the Bear running attack in 2005 with 151 carries for 662 yards and 2 td’s. Dinnis meanwhile had 26 carries for 167 yards and 1 td. Also playing the fullback spot will be Joe Strauss or Drew Varano.
The receiving corps also has veterans ready to catch passes. Top 2005 receiver Larry Baumgartner is back after grabbing 38 passes for 447 yards and 8 td’s. He will be joined by Brett Harbaugh who latched onto 16 passes for 111 yards and 1 td last season. Tight end Jason Henley is also back after grabbing 16 aerials for 134 yards and 1 td in 2005.
BEAR DEFENSE RETURNS 6 STARTERS FROM 2005
Kutztown’s 2005 defense ranked 8th in the PSAC in rushing defense (170.9), 10th in pass defense (187.4) and 10th in total defense (358.3) and scoring defense (25.8 ppg).
Up front Kutztown will feature Matt Breiner at noseguard , with Scott Smith at tackle and Mike Grosso and Kevin Branco at the ends.
Breiner started 7 games in 2004 but sat out last year. Smith had 42 stops and 3 tfl’s, while Grosso, a first PSAC-East honoree in 2005, collected 56 tackles, 14 tfl’s and 6.5 sacks. Branco meanwhile notched 27 tackles and 4 tfl’s. Also ready to see time is end Mike Irwin who had 21 jolts last season.
The linebacking corps is solid with veteran Tom Cressman working the strong side. He posted 47 stops, 7 tfl’s and 6 sacks in 2005. Middle linebacker Dan Chominski had 31 jolts last year, while Sam McKellar had 9 stops in limited action last year.
The secondary has two starters back in strong safety Brian Bingnear and free safety Justin Gibbs. Gibbs, who played corner last year, had 34 stops and 2 interceptions, while Bingnear had 53 stops. Junior Cory Porrino (17 stops) returns with experience at corner, while Brent Howard has been switched from receiver a year ago to corner.
CLARION NOTES: In Clarion’s 4 overtime win last year (29-23), Eagle qb Brandon Dando scored the game-winner on a 3-yard run in the 4th OT, then the defense held… Clarion outgained Kutztown 385-188 yards… Dando completed 15 of 28 passes for 143 yards, plus ran for 2 td’s… Tyrone Buckner gained 106 rushing yards on 39 attempts … Kutztown QB Spotts completed 21 of 41 passes for 152 yards and 1 td … Maurice Adams gained 62 yards on 19 carries… SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1In 2004’s 25-14 loss at Kutztown, Clarion made three turnovers that led directly to 21 second half Kutztown points ... Marcus Lowe rushed for 86 yards and 2 td’s on 20 carries. Brandon Dando completed 11 of 22 passes for 141 yards and Joe Farkas caught 3 passes for 72 yards. Bo Busch led the “D” with 10 tackles, Tim Connelly had 8 stops and 4 tfl’s... Kutztown’s Bria had 118 yards and 1 td rushing ... Kutztown outgained Clarion 292-251 in total yardage... In 2003's 20-19 loss to Kutztown the Golden Eagles outgained Kutztown 449-216 and outrushed the Bears 317 - 22... Clarion fumbled 8 times and lost 6, plus missed the game tying PAT, which were the keys to the game ... Felton Woulard completed 7 of 16 passes for 132 yards and Ron Rivage caught 4 passes for 102 yards... Brandon Sweeney led the team with 96 rushing yards and 2 td’s, with Woulard getting 89 and Glenn Lovelace 12 carries for 82 yards... Kutztown qb Jeremy Copleand completed 10 of 26 passes for 194 yards and 2 td’s... Bria gained 61 yards on 27 carries... Trevor Smith caught 7 passes for 174 yards and 2 td’s, including a 77-yarder... In Clarion’s 31-7 win in 2002 the Eagles rushed for 306 yards on 62 carries ... Adam Almashy rushed for 40 yards and 2 td’s, plus threw for another to lead the way ... Robert Walker gained 86 on 20 carries, while Brandon Sweeney had 66 on 12 tries and Frantz Charles added 40 on 6 carries ... Gammage for Kutztown also ran for 85 yards and 1 td on 26 carries ... Kutztown managed 94 rushing yards and 96 passing yards on the game... Clarion returns home on September 16th to host West Chester at Memorial Stadium… Kickoff is at 6pm.