GOLDEN EAGLE FOOTBALL
CLARION VISITS SHIPPENSBURG TO OPEN PSAC-WEST TITLE DEFENSE SATURDAY
After defeating Tiffin 27-14 at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, the Golden Eagles begin defending their PSAC-West title this week as Clarion travels to Shippensburg for a key PSAC-West game. Kickoff at Shippensburg's Seth Grove Stadium is set for 1pm.
The game will air on WCCR-FM, 92.7 with Mike Kalinowski and Dave Katis providing the call. Clarion football fans not able to tune in can also listen to the game over the internet at www.redzonemedia.com.
The Golden Eagles, under eighth year head coach Malen Luke, enter the game with a 1-2 overall record. Clarion started the year with a last minute loss at East Stroudsburg (33-27), and a loss at #3 ranked NCAA Div. I-AA Youngstown State (44-0), before toppling Tiffin 27-14. Luke has a Clarion record of 38-41 overall and a PSAC-West slate of 20-22. In his 14th year as a collegiate head coach (6 at Defiance), he has a career record of 75-62.
Shippensburg, under veteran head coach Rocky Rees, has led the Red Raiders to a very deceiving 1-2 start in 2001. Ship opened the season with a 28-25 overtime loss at Shepherd, and then lost 29-18 at Bloomsburg (2000 NCAA runner-up) before defeating Millersville on Saturday 17-7. Rees, in his 12th season at Shippensburg, has a record of 62-62-1, and an overall collegiate record of 98-77-2 in 17 seasons.
The Golden Eagles, who were 7-4 overall a year ago and 5-1 in the PSAC-West, are hoping to follow last year's formula to finish atop the division. Last year's team also started with two losses and a win on their way to a strong finish. The 2000 Eagles defeated Shippensburg in a wild 56-49 game at Clarion's Memorial Stadium. Clarion built a 56-21 lead with 1:14 left in the third quarter, then held on for the victory. QB Adam Almashy tossed 5 td passes in that game, including 2 to Mike McCullum. Shippensburg's Chris Gicking also tossed 5 td passes, but he has graduated.
"We are very impressed with everything we've seen so far on Shippensburg," said Clarion's Luke. "They have a very strong running game and compliment that with a solid passing attack on offense. Defensively they are very tough against the run and play very physical football. Just as in past years, we expect a very hard-hitting, physical game. We know Rocky will have them ready for Saturday."
Clarion's offense is getting 306.3 yards per game (12th in PSAC), including 212.7 rushing (3rd in PSAC) and 93.7 passing (14th in PSAC).
Calling the signals for Clarion will be junior quarterback Adam Almashy. He has completed 19 of 58 passes for 279 yards and 3 td's with 4 interceptions. In his career he ranks 8th in td passes at Clarion with 31, while completing 236 of 527 (44.8%) for 3,217 yards (10th at Clarion). Almashy has also toted the pigskin 43 times for 56 yards this season, and in his career has 301 carries for 435 yards and 8 td's.
The running game is solid with Demetric Gardner, Robert Walker, Justin Sickeri and Glenn Lovelace handling the pigskin. Gardner ranks 9th in the PSAC in rushing with 86 yards per game (45 attempts, 258 yards, 1 td). In his Eagle career he has 244 carries for 1,236 yards and 8 td's. Walker, meanwhile has 26 carries for 192 yards and 3 td's. In two seasons he has 826 yards and 8 td's on only 101 carries (8.2 p/c). Sickeri has 6 carries for 38 yards and Lovelace 13 runs for 101 yards and 1 td.
The receiving corps will feature wideouts Mike McCulllum and Ed Rivers, with tight end Andy Pore. McCullum leads the team with 9 catches for 163 yards and 2 td's, while Rivers has 3 grabs for 19 yards and Pore 3 receptions for 44 yards and 1 td.
Clarion's defense is giving up 419.7 yards per game (12th in PSAC) including 248.7 rushing (12th in PSAC) and 171 (8th in PSAC) passing.
Up front senior Doug Diegelman (18 stops, 4 tfl's), junior George O'Brien (18 hits, 5 tfl's) and noseguard Tim Connolly (8 tackles, 2 tfl's) lead the way.
The perimeters are guarded by Chris Janson (29 stops, 2 tfl's) and Kevin Platz (17 hits, 3 tfl's, 2 fumble revoveries), while inside linebackers Tom Pore (16 tackles), Scott McGrady (11 hits, 1 tfl), Dennis Yu (10 jolts, 2 fumbles caused, 1 int) and Tom Gaydosz (8 tackles, 1 tfl) anchor the middle.
The secondary is active with free safety Korey Eppinette (29 hits, 2 break-ups), strong safety Steve Devennie (10 jolts), and corners Myron Hargon, Emil Johnson (12 tackles) and Kevin McKeither (1 int).
Shippensburg's offense is averaging 327.7 (10th in PSAC) yards per game including 190.3 rushing (7th in PSAC) and 137.3 passing (10th in PSAC).
Calling the signals is sophomore qb Jim Buffington, who has connected on 33 of 69 passes for 412 yards and 4 td's with 3 interceptions.
The running game is paced by fullbacks Matt Phillips (50 tries, 207 yards, 2 td's) and John Kuhn (24 carries, 113 yards), along with halfbacks Dave Brown (26 attempts, 137 yards, 2 td's) and Jarrod Dech (19 runs, 104 yards).
Tight end Brian Booker (8 catches, 113 yards, 1 td) leads the team in receptions, with split end Lance Williams (5 grabs, 102 yards, 1 td), and Dave Brown (6 catches, 34 yards) also clutching aerials.
Shippensburg's defense has played very well this season, limiting opponents to 295.7 yards (4th in PSAC) of total offense. Opponents are getting 118.3 rushing (5th in PSAC) and 177.3 passing (9th in PSAC) yards per game.
Noseguard Chris Minner (13 tackles) and tackle Chad Oberholtzer (25 stops, 4 tfl's) anchor the defensive line. Ends Ryan Hoffman (2 tfl's, 1 sack) and Ron Johnson (5 tfl's, 2.5 sacks) guard the outside.
The second line of defense has linebackers Josh Goodman (21 tackles, 2 tfl's), Lanorde Wheeler (16 hits, 2 tfl's), Joe Wasylyk (20 stops) and Eric Ranieri (16 tackles, 1 tfl) making the hits.
The secondary is paced by free safety John Andrews, who leads the team with 28 tackles. Strong safety Clint Inch (15 hits, 1 int), and corners Tony Johnson (15 tackles) and Michael Street (16 jolts, 1 int) guard the passing lanes.
CLARION NOTES: Clarion's offensive line will welcome the return of guard Ryan Duchon, who was injured in the first quarter against Youngstown and sat out last week's Tiffin game... The first team PSAC-West player's return will also move Drake D'Angelo back to his starting center spot... He played guard the last two games... This is the 46th meeting between the two schools... Clarion leads the series 33-11-1 ... In the last ten games Clarion leads 6-4... The Eagles won 56-49 last year, but Ship won in 1999 (32-26), 1998 (38-3), and 1997 (37-14)... The 1996 Eagles won 59-20 at Shippensburg... Clarion did not boot a field goal in 2000 and missed in its first try on Saturday from 36 yards out ... Clarion will return home next Saturday to entertain Kutztown for the annual Homecoming Day Game... Kickoff will be at 2pm and as always, will be part of Clarion's Autumn Leaf Festival... The Golden Eagles will also be home the following week, hosting California on October 6th for a 1pm game.