Game Preview - New Haven

For the first time in seven years, the Golden Rams will open the season in the friendly confines of Farrell Stadium when they host the #12 New Haven Chargers on Saturday at noon. It will be the first of six home games in 2013 for West Chester.

Series History:
From 1993 through 2003, these two teams squared off regularly, playing nine times in those eleven years. In what was Bill Zwaan's first game as head coach of West Chester University, the Golden Rams captured a 28-17 victory in West Haven, CT. Unfortunately after the 2003 season, New Haven dropped their football program, causing West Chester to scramble for a non-conference opponent for the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Overall, New Haven leads the series 8-4-1, including the last tie in West Chester history in 1995. After a five year hiatus, New Haven resumed its varsity football team in 2009 under current head coach Pete Rossomando.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
1993	Away	Loss	45-33	2000	Home	Loss	7-0
1995	Home	Tie	36-36	2001	Away	Loss	32-28
1996	Away	Win	24-17	2002	Home	Loss	28-19
1997	Home	Loss	32-26	2003	Away	Win	28-17
1998	Away	Win	33-27 (OT)	2011	Away	Loss	35-32 (OT)

Last Meeting:

09/03/2011 New Haven 35 - West Chester 32 (OT)

On a warm September afternoon on the blue turf in West Haven, West Chester managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The Golden Rams carried a 12-point lead into the fourth quarter. After a Charger touchdown, Shawn Leo booted a 28-yard field goal to extend West Chester's lead back to eight. But the Chargers scored a touchdown and two-point conversion with just over a minute left to force overtime. In the overtime, Leo notched his fourth field goal of the game to put the Rams up by three, but in the Chargers' possession, New Haven used just three plays to score the game-winning touchdown.

Looking at how players that are still on the roster fared in that contest, New Haven running back Mike DeCaro only had 30 yards rushing, but he logged 114 yards in kickoff returns, including a 52-yarder after West Chester took the 12-point lead in the fourth quarter. And after Leo's field goal, DeCaro returned the ensuing short kickoff 24 yards to midfield to set up the game tying touchdown. Strong safety Herbens Antenor had six tackles, one tackle for loss and one fumble recovery.

West Chester quarterback Sean McCartney was 14 of 28 for 173 yards. Running back Rondell White had 51 yards rushing, while receivers Tim Keyser and LaRonn Lee combined for 12 catches and 153 yards. Shawn Leo set the West Chester single game record with four field goals. Strong safety Shawn Krautzel and Anthony McCloskey each had seven tackles while defensive end Eric Edwers had five tackles and 0.5 sacks. The Golden Rams picked off four New Haven passes, but committed 12 penalties for 123 yards.

Scouting the Chargers:

New Haven has enjoyed incredible success since resuming their football program. In 2010, they shared the regular season NE10 championship with three other teams. In 2011, they won the NE10 regular season and only lost two games - at Football Championship Subdivision William and Mary by a score of 13-10 and at Winston-Salem in the NCAA Division II Super Regional One championship. Last year, they won the NE10 championship and finished the regular season 10-0 before losing to Indiana in the second round of the NCAA playoffs.

However, from last year's squad, the Chargers lost 14 all-conference players including quarterback Ryan Osiecki (1,550 yards, 16 TD's), wide receiver Jason Thompson (44 catches, 881 yards, 16 TD's), wide receiver Demetrius Washington-Ellison (30 catches, 444 yards, 7 TD's), tight end Kameel Lashley (16 catches, 235 yards, 5 TD's) and offensive linemen David Stedman, James Malloy, and Zack Conklin. On defense, they lost six of their top eight tacklers, including NE10 defensive player of the year Raheem Stanley (33 tackles, 6.5 TFL), NE10 defensive lineman of the year Tom Herd, linebacker Mike Gomes, linebacker Rich Long (team leading 63 tackles), defensive back Kendrick Butler (43 tackles) and defensive back Bernard Risco (45 total tackles, 4 int's). To boot, kicker Chris Scifo (8-11 FGs, 45-49 PATs, 73 pts) is also gone.

Mike DeCaro

Returning is All-NE10 multiple threat running back Mike DeCaro (96 carries, 616 yards, 7 TD's; 22 catches, 224 yards, 3 TD's; 5 punt returns, 66 yards; 24 kickoff returns, 656 yards, 1 TD). Quarterback Ronnie Nelson (71-103, 987 yards, 18 TD's, 3 int's; 65 carries, 266 yards, 3 TD's) played in ten games and started four games last year when Osiecki got hurt in their second game of the season. The only returning wide receiver with a collegiate catch is Nick Music (14 catches, 107 yards). Key returning defenders are defensive end Brent MacLeod (24 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 interception), strong safety Herbens Antenor (51 tackles, 5 pass breakups) and linebacker Matthew Fallico (48 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 interception).

To offset the loss of so many seniors, New Haven brought in wide receiver DeeJay White who transferred from Bowling Green after last season, wide receiver Brett Parenteau who played for Sacred Heart in 2011, former Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year running back Dillon Romain (Albany) and linebacker Andre Lawrence who transferred from Boston College after last season.

Analysis:

Like West Chester's Rondell White, Mike DeCaro can hurt opponents in a variety of ways and Ronnie Nelson is a mobile quarterback. The task of containing these two will fall mainly on the shoulders of the Rams' front seven. It remains to be seen who will step up among the Chargers' receivers - the transfers, a rising sophomore or Roshawn Wilson who has yet to see the field for New Haven due to injuries. Offensively, the Rams' quarterback, running back and two receivers posted good numbers two years ago against New Haven as only sophomores. If the line can provide support, they should expect to have better numbers in this game.

New Haven Register - New Haven Chargers set to hit the ground running

New Haven Register - New Haven football opens training camp

West Chester Athletic Site - Depth Chart - New Haven

PSAC Site - Football - Week 1 Notes

New Haven Athletic Site - No. 12/19 Football Opens 2013 at West Chester

KYW Newsradio - West Chester Hoping For Fast Start To Season

New Haven Register - New Haven opens on the road at West Chester (Pa.)

wtnh.com - UNH football season preview

Daily Local News - Golden Rams open up at home

D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Week 1 Preview