CLARION, Pa. — After an exciting 39-38 overtime win against Kutztown last Saturday, the 2013 Clarion Football team is set to host Lock Haven this Saturday, September 14 at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff between the Golden Eagles and Bald Eagles is set for 6:00 p.m. kickoff.

All the game action between Clarion and Lock Haven can be heard on the Golden Eagle radio network, which includes WCCR-FM, 92.7 in Clarion and WKQW-FM, 96.3 in Oil City, as well as on the internet at Redzonemedia.com with Mike Kalinowski providing the play by play and Joe Lodanosky offering color commentary.

FOSTER IN 8TH SEASON/ CLARION WINS OPENER 39-38

2009 EAGLES 8-3 — 2ND IN PSAC-WEST – 8TH IN SUPER REGION 1

Clarion eighth year head coach Jay Foster opened the 2013 season with a bang last Saturday when the Golden Eagles rallied to tie the game (32-32) on Phil Esposito’s 45-yard field goal on the last play of regulation, then won the game in overtime on a 10-yard run from quarterback Ben Fiscus and Esposito’s successful PAT 39-38.

The Golden Eagles were 4-7 overall last year and 2-5 in the PSAC-Western Division. Wins came against Fairmont State (7-0), Gannon (13-7), East Stroudsburg (31-27) and Lock Haven (30-28).

The 2011 Golden Eagles were 3-8 overall and 2-5 in the West, while the team was 4-7 in 2010 and 3-4 in the PSAC-West. Clarion’s top year under Foster came in 2009 when Clarion was 8-3 overall, 6-1 in the West and finished the year ranked 8th in the final NCAA Division II East Region Poll. Foster was named the PSAC-Western Division “Coach of the Year” for his efforts. Foster enters the game with a career record of 24-54.

LOCK HAVEN 1-0 – DEFEATS W.V. STATE 31-13 IN OPENER

Lock Haven third year head coach John Allen comes to Clarion on a two-game winning streak, after defeating West Virginia State 31-13 in the 2013 opener, along with defeating Cheyney in the final game of 2012 by a 15-7 margin.

Last Saturday Lock Haven trailed 6-3 at halftime, but rolled up 28 third quarter points on its way to a 31-13 victory. Last season the Bald Eagles had entered its final game of the season against Cheyney having lost 52 straight games, but defeated Cheyney 15-7 to finish 1-10 overall. Clarion escaped with a 30-28 win at Lock Haven on October 20th on the final play of the game, when qb Ben Fiscus hit Anthony Becoate on a 3-yard td pass as time expired.

CLARION LEADS LOCK HAVEN 45-16-1 IN SERIES DATING BACK TO 1928

Clarion leads the overall series between the two schools by a 45-16-1 margin, dating back to 1928, where Clarion won the initial meeting 13-0. Clarion won last year’s game 30-28 at LHU on the final play of the game. Clarion also won 54-6 at Memorial Stadium in 2011, 49-6 at Lock Haven in 2010, 24-0 in 2009 and in 2008 won by a 24-21 margin at Lock Haven. LH won the meeting in 2007 by a 17-14 score in overtime at Clarion and the 2006 contest 14-7 at Hubert Jack Stadium. Clarion won 16-0 at Memorial Stadium in 2005 and the Bald Eagles won in 2004 in an exciting 16-13 overtime decision. Clarion won the 2003 game 22-9 margin. Clarion has a 12-5 record in the last 17 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).

CLARION OFFENSE 408 YARDS & 39 PPG IN 2013

The Clarion offense put 39 points on the board in the 2013 opener against Kutztown. The Golden Eagles had 408 yards of total offense, including 121 on the ground and 287 through the air.

QB BEN FISCUS LEADS OFFENSE

Senior signal caller Ben Fiscus (Sr. Indiana) leads Clarion’s offense. He opened the season completing 19 of 28 passes for 287 yards and 3 td’s, while rushing for 67 yards and 2 td’s. He was named the PSAC-West Offensive “Player of the Week”. A Third Team FB Gazette Super Region 1 and First Team PSAC-West choice a year ago, he completed 200 of 383 passes for 2,480 yards and 15 td’s with 13 int’s. Fiscus set a Clarion record for single game completions (36) and attempts (64) for 410 yards against Cal last season.

In 2011 Fiscus rushed for 737 yards and 5 td’s, while passing for 1,148 yards and 5 td’s, while in 2010 he rushed for 582 yards and 6 td’s, plus passed for 713 yards and 7 td’s.

In four years Fiscus has rushed for 2,064 yards and 18 td’s on 454 carries, while completing 381 of 744 passes for 4,628 yards and 30 td’s. He ranks 8th at Clarion in career rushing yards, 8th in rushing attempts, 4th in passing attempts, 3rd in completions and 7th in passing yards.

REID, NICHOLAS & DEITRICK TOP RETURNING RECEIVERS

Returning to catch passes from Fiscus will be senior Jon Reid (Stafford, Va.), sophomore Mark Nicholas (So. Export/Franklin Regional) and Mike Deitrick (Jr. Upper St. Clair).

Reid, a real speedster, grabbed 3 passes last week for 42 yards. Nicholas grabbed 2 aerials for 50 yards and 1 td, while Deitrick led the receivers with 6 catches for 57 yards and 2 td’s.

Reid led the team in 212 with 52 catches, for 849 yards and 2 td’s. Combined with 24 catches for 281 yards and 2 td’s in 2011, Reid has grabbed 79 career passes for 1,172 yards and 4 td’s. Nicholas caught 7 passes for 94 yards and 2 td’s in 2012 as a true freshman. Deitrick, a veteran tight end, caught 12 aerials for 163 yards and 1 td last season.

Receivers who should catch plenty of passes in 2013 include wideouts Caleb Mancini (Jr. Beaver Falls/Blackhawk) and Enrico Canello (So. Keystone Oaks), with red-shirt freshman Matt Lehman (Burrell) expected to contribute.

THOMAS RETURNS TO KEY RUNNING BACKS IN 2013

Junior Bobby Thomas (Reading/Exeter Twp.) rushed for 52 yards on 18 carries in the season opener. In 2012 he played in 6 games (injured the other 5) and rushed for 534 yards on 124 carries with 3 td’s. He also caught 6 passes for 52 yards. His top game was 25 carries, 156 yards and 1 td versus LIU-Post.

Sophomore Travis Day (So. Hempfield) and Nico Price (Jr. McKeesport) are expected to see time. Day, a multi-purpose back, rushed for 1 yard, but caught 2 passes for 65 yards. Last year he rushed for 295 yards and 3 td’s on 62 carries last year. He also caught 6 passes for 54 yards. Price also caught a pass for 13 yards and rushed for 1 yard in the opener.

FELKER, BARRICK, KUNDICK & PERFILIO LEAD TALENTED OFFENSIVE LINE

The “O” line was banged up in the pre-season. Expected to start on the “O” line will be captain and tackle Mike Felker (6-4, 285, Sr. Gibsonia/Pine Richland), guard Matt Kundick (6-2, 270, Jr. Beaver) and center/tackle Terrance Perfilio (6-3, 290, Sr. Farrell). Felker a three-year starter at left tackle, has been a second team PSAC-West choice in 2012 and 2010. Also a Capital One first Team Academic All-District 1 choice, Mike has started all 34 games in his career. Kundick, a starter at left guard in 2012, returns to solidify the left side. Perfilio, the returning starter at center, also saw starting time in 2010 and has three letters. Tyler Edwards (6-4, 300, Jr. Ambridge) will likely start at right guard, while Cameron Cress (6-3, 275, So.) could start at center, moving Perfilio to tackle. Guard Shane Cress (6-3, 275, So. Mars) and tackle Ryan Barrick (6-5, 270, Jr. Easton), both projected as starters, may sit out another week with injuries. Guard Mark Divins (6-3, 290, Sr. Clarion) and tackle Paul Branagan (6-4, 280, Fr. Cornell) will see time..

10 STARTERS RETURN ON IMPROVED EAGLE DEFENSE

Defense wins championships and the Golden Eagles return 10 starters from last year’s unit, as well as a number of letterwinners who saw plenty of time and will battle for positions in 2013. Clarion yielded 370 yards of total offense last week and 38 points. The Golden Eagles held Kutztown to -24 yards rushing and 390 yards passing.

HOWSARE & BOSTICK LEAD DEFENSIVE FRONT

The Golden Eagles have a strong defensive line returning in 2013, paced by Third Team FB Gazette All-American Julian Howsare (Jr. Altoona) at defensive end and captain Adam Bostick (Sr. Manheim Twp.) at defensive tackle.

Howsare posted 8 tackles, 4 tfl’s, 2 sacks and 1 fumble caused in the opener. Last year he had 58 tackles, 14 sacks for -89 yards and 16 tfl’s for -102 yards. He also had 4 fumbles caused, 3 break-ups, and 1 blocked kick. In three seasons Julian has notched 95 tackles, 20 sacks for -118 yards and 27 tfl’s for -143 yards. Bostick returns to start up front after collecting 29 tackles, 3 sacks for -10, 7 tfl’s for -20, 2 fumbles caused, 2 break-ups and 1 interception in 2012. He has 55 career tackles, 14 tfl’s, 5 sacks, 2 fumbles caused, 2 break-ups and 1 int.

Also returning up front are starters Jacob Heintz (Jr. Pine Richland) and Andrew Fragale (So. Emporium/Cameron County), along with veterans Matt Shuey (Jr. Johnsonburg), Zach Newquist (Jr. Indiana), Brandon Short (So. New Brighton) and Robert Steinstraw (So. Washington/Trinity).

Heintz posted 5 hits in the opener with Fragale getting 6 stops, 4 tfl’s and 2 sacks, and Newquist with 4 jolts, 2 tfl’s and 1 sack. Shuey contributed 1 hit.

Heintz had a tremendous 2012 collecting 53 hits, 9 sacks, 14 tfl’s and 1 break-up, while Fragale pitched in with 23 stops, 4 sacks and 8 tfl’s. Shuey had 31 tackles and 7 tfl’s a year ago, with Short posting 14 tackles, 1 tfl). Newquist, who had earned a starting noseguard spot entering 2012, was injured in camp and did not play. He is healthy again and posted 11 hits and 2 sacks in 2011.

PALMIERE & YAUGER RETURN AS EAGLE LINEBACKERS

Although very strong up front, the Eagle defense is also excited about the returning talent at inside linebacker. Junior Brian Palmiere (Jr. Tarentum/Deer Lakes) and sophomore Rocco Yauger (So. Penn Trafford), return after starting in 2012. Palmiere had 2 stops in the opener before being injured. He led the Golden Eagles with 89 tackles, plus added 3 sacks and 8 tfl’s with 2 fumbles caused. In three seasons Brian has collected 144 tackles, 20 tfl’s and 3 fumbles caused. Yauger had 2 hits in the opener. He was second in tackles last year with 64, plus 1 sack and 8 tfl’s.

Also vying for time at inside linebacker are Kyle McWreath (So. Washington/Trinity) and Jared Davis (So. Allderdice). McWreath had 5 hits against Kutztown. He had 29 hits, 5 tfl’s and 1 sack last year. Davis contributed 14 stops and 2 tfl’s in 2012.

EAGLE SECONDARY RETURNS EXPERIENCED PLAYERS

The Golden Eagle secondary played well in the opener versus Kutztown.

The corner positions will have Cory McNamara (So. Ontario, N.Y.), Kwaku Asamoah (So. Indiana), Cory Lauer (So. Franklin Regional) and Adam Lynch (Fr. Brashear) vying for time. McNamara leads the team with 11 hits and 1 interception, In 2012 he posted 31 hits and 1 interception. Asamoah had 4 stops in the opener, while making 11 tackles last year, Lynch had 6 tackles against Kutztown.

The safety spots will likely have Matt Long (Sr. Pgh – North Catholic), Peter Rivera (Jr. Bethlehem Catholic) and Tyler Tucker (So. Westside Tx.) as starters. Long had 2 hits in the opener and 54 jolts and 5 tfl’s a year ago. Rivera posted 2 jolts last Saturday while getting 22 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 tfl’s and 1 fumble recovery a year ago. Tucker had 3 hits and 1 tfl against Kutztown.

Also looking for time at safety will be Mike Zak (Sr. Orchard Park N.Y.), Malik King (So. Cornell), and Ren Yonker (Sr. Johnsonburg). Zak had 3 hits on Saturday with 21 tackles and 2 tfl’s in 2012. King had 5 stops in the opener while getting 18 hits and 1 int. in 212. Yonker had 2 tackles and 1 tfl on Saturday.

SPECIAL TEAMS HAVE CONWAY/ESPOSITO

The Clarion special teams will be anchored again by punter Nathan Conway (Sr. Lock Haven/Central Mountain) and freshman Phil Esposito (Brockway). Conway, a four-year starter (2009, 2011-13), averaged 41 yards per punt in the opener. He averaged 36.4 yards per punt in 2012, with 5 knocked out inside the 20. He averaged 35.2 yards per punt in 2011 with 16 inside the 20, and averaged 37.9 as a freshman in 2009. Sophomore long snapper Eric White (Clearfield) returns after an outstanding freshman season in 2012. Freshman Phil Esposito booted a 45-yard field goal with no time remaining in regulation to send the Kutztown game into overtime. He also booted all 4 PAT’s for 7 points in the opener.

LH OFFENSE GETS 31 POINTS & 254 YARDS IN OPENER

Lock Haven’s offense took advantage of opponent mistakes to score 31 points in its opening win over West Virginia State while collecting 254 yards of total offense. LH rushed for 94 yards and passed for 160 in game one.

MAZZONI & WALTON LEAD OFFENSE

Junior qb Dillon Mazzoni and freshman qb Caleb Walton will both see time at quarterback for the Bald Eagles. Mazzoni completed 9 of 18 passes for 142 yards and 2 td’s, while Walton hit on 4 of 11 aerials for 18 yards, but also rushed for 10 yards.

The running game is led by Brandon Brader and Matthew Gibson. Brader rushed for 66 yards and 2 td’s against West Virginia State, while Gibson had 5 rushes for 18 yards.

The receiving corps will be led by Jesse Hoover and Jeremy Cornelius. Hoover grabbed 6 passes for 73 yards and 1 td, while Cornelius had 3 catches for 21 yards. Also dangerous are James Wilbern and Eddie Celkos. Wilbern had 2 catches for 55 yards and 1 td (51 yards), and Celkos had 1 catch for 11 yards.

LH HAS TOUGH DEFENSE

The Bald Eagle defense yielded only 13 points and 358 yards of offense in the opener. W.V. State gained 152 yards on the ground and passed for 206.

Leading the way up front are nose tackle Scott Benkovic (5 hits), tackle Kyle White (5 jolts) and ends Janosch Beauchamp (2 stops) and Tyrek Morgan (5 hits, 2 tfl’s and 1 sack). Backup tackle Matt Lewis also had 4 stops and 1 sack in the opener.

The linebacking corps features middle backer Tony Ballon (11 tackles, 1 tfl), and teammates Matt Kirchner (3 hits) and Tashawn Bunch (8 stops, 1 blocked kick).

Leading the secondary are safety George Christas (12 tackles, 1 tfl, 2 break-ups), Hero Tyrail Morgan (5 stops), and corners Mike Williams (1 stop) and Derrick Watkins (3 hits, 3 break-ups).

CLARION – LH SERIES NOTES: 2012 – CLARION 30 LOCK HAVEN 28 – At Lock Haven Clarion qb Ben Fiscus hit Anthony Becoate with a 3-yard td pass on the game’s final play to give Eagles a 30-28 win… Clarion drove 90 yards in the final 1:21 to win .. Lock Haven lost their 50th straight game – but led 28-24 with 1:26 remaining when Jarrett Kratzer tossed a 22-yard td pass to Jesse Hoover … Fiscus completed 26 of 42 passes for 324 yards and 3 td’s … Becoate caught 8 for 69 yards& 2 td’s; Aaron Barlow grabbed 5 for 77 … Travis Day rushed for 60 yards and 1 td … Lock Haven’s Kratzer was 14 of 27 for 267 yards and 3 td’s … Brandon Brader rushed for 51 yards on 18 carries … Jesse Hoover caught 3 passes for 100 yards and 2 td’s … 2011 – Clarion won 54-6 at Memorial Stadium – Clarion rushed for 423 yards in its 54-6 win against LH … QB Ben Fiscus rushed for 204 yards and 2 td’s, plus passed for 2 td’s in leading Clarion to the win … The defense held LH 171 yards of offense … Mike Zak led the team with 12 tackles… 2010 – Clarion won 49-6 at LHU … Fiscus completed 16 of 16 for 187 yards and 4 td’s … Fiscus also ran for 78 yards and 1 td … Jacques robinson grabbed 7 passes for 84 yards and 1 td and broke the Clarion career receiving record in that game… Burkett completed 13 of 24 passes for 134 yards and 1 td … Jay Hartman caught 4 for 66 yards and 1 td … Barrington Morrison had 3 tfl’s – 2 sacks in that game … 2009 – Clarion won 24-0 … Alfonso Hoggard ran for 114 yards and 2 td;s … Tyler Huether hit on 14 of 21 passes for 133 yards and 1 td … Jacques Robinson had 5 grabs for 55 yards and 1 td… LH qb Jarret Kratzer was 22 of 38 for 184 yards … the LH running game netted a minus 7 yards on 26 attempts — 2008 — Clarion rallied for the game’s final 10 points to win a 24-21 decision at Lock Haven … Eddie Emmanuel scored on a 4-yard run with 27-seconds left in the third, and Robert Mamula booted a 27-yard field goal with 3:30 to play to claim the win … Clarion outgained LH 472-188 … Huether completed 19 of 33 passes for 219 yards and 1 td, plus ran for 94 yards… Emmanuel rushed for 91 yards and 2 td’s … 2007 Clarion lost 17-14 in overtime … Clarion tied the game 14-14 with 3:58 left on an Eddie Emmanuel 1-yard run … Nick Sipes’ 47-yard field goal attempt in ot was just short … Marc Domonkos booted a 35-yarder to win the game … Huether passed for 245 yards and ran for 54 yards … Hoggard caught 9 passes for 66 yards… LH — led by Ibrahim Smith who rushed for 139 yards and 2 td’s, including a 64-yard td … In 2006 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.