Game Preview - East Stroudsburg

The #18 Golden Rams (8-1, 7-1) travel to the Poconos to take on East Stroudsburg (6-3, 5-3). Kickoff at Eiler-Martin Stadium is set for 1:00 pm on Saturday.

Series History:
West Chester leads the overall series 56-22. Golden Ram head coach Bill Zwaan is 9-3 against the Warriors, including two wins in the Poconos in 2004. In the first matchup that season, the Golden Rams blocked a PAT in overtime, then scored a touchdown and won the game on Dan Wilbourne’s converted PAT to hand then #7 East Stroudsburg their first loss of the season in front of a homecoming crowd of almost 6,000. The second game came on a frigid and blustery November afternoon in the NCAA regional finals. With a crowd of over 7,200 on hand, current West Chester running backs coach Osagie Osunde ran for 144 yards and three touchdowns as the Golden Rams handed East Stroudsburg their second loss of the season.

The following year, West Chester tipped the #6 ranked Warriors, 18-17, in muddy Farrell Stadium. 2005 was the last season that Farrell Stadium had natural grass. In 2009, East Stroudsburg ruined West Chester’s homecoming 21-20. The Golden Rams failed to convert a PAT early in the game and a 35-yard field goal late in the game. The Warriors are led by head coach Denny Douds who is in his 41st season at the helm.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
2004	Away	Win	48-38	2009	Home	Loss	21-20
2005	Home	Win	18-17	2010	Away	Win	35-31
2006	Away	Win	49-28	2011	Home	Win	37-26
2007	Home	Win	30-15	2012	Away	Loss	35-28
2008	Away	Win	34-24	2013	Home	Win	34-20

Last Meeting:

10/12/2013 West Chester 34 - East Stroudsburg 20

West Chester shook off a sluggish first half to get the first homecoming win for Dr. Weisenstein. The Golden Rams usually start fast and coast in the second half, but trailed at halftime 20-10 with Sean McCartney's two-yard naked bootleg accounting for the only touchdown. The halftime speech was most inspiring as McCartney completed touchdown passes to Shannon Mayer, Jim Hurley, and Shawn Driggins as they outscored the Warriors 24-0 in the final 30 minutes.

Linebacker Mike Labor had a monster game with eight tackles, including two sacks, and an interception. Fellow linebacker Ronell Williams was limited to three tackles but also had a "you got to see to believe it" interception that he then returned 27 yards. Brandon Pepper and Drew Formica each had two pass breakups in the game.

Scouting the Opponent:

Although more balanced than they've historically been, the East Stroudsburg offense is based on the passing of All-PSAC East quarterback Matt Soltes (180-300, 2,778 yards, 30 TD's, 8 interceptions). He distributes the ball well to receivers Dusty Reed (22 catches, 430 yards, 6 TD's) and Jon Schnaars (50 catches, 636 yards, 12 TD's) and All-PSAC East tight end Steven Jones (29 catches, 505 yards, 5 TD's). However, Soltes was injured in their game against Kutztown, missed last week's game at Bloomsburg and is reportedly out this Saturday as well. Backup quarterback Bruce Campbell (17-37, 172 yards, 1 TD, 4 interceptions) has yet to show that he's anywhere nearly as effective as Soltes. PSAC East Freshman of the Year Robert Healy (130 carries, 672 yards, 6 TD's, 44 catches, 548 yards, 5 TD's) has proven to be a formidable dual threat. He's even completed his two pass attempts.

Defensively, the Warriors are led by their leading tackler and All-PSAC East linebacker Cody Simcox (78 tackles, 5.0 TFL's). Nose guard Bryan Thomson (59 tackles, 10.0 TFL's) was PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 and All-PSAC East last season, but had been quiet this year prior to Saturday's game at Bloomsburg. Line mate Brandon Gattelli (38 tackles, 8.5 sacks) brings pressure from the edge. In the secondary, safety Anthony Singlar (76 tackles, 6.0 TFL's, 1 interception) is the team's second leading tackler while cornerback Teron Dobbs (33 tackles, 5 interceptions, 7 pass breakups) leads the PSAC in interceptions.

Punter Jordan Bair (42.3 yards/punt, 12 inside the 20, 11 punts of 50 yards or more) was All-PSAC East last season. Matt Smith (4-5 FG, 36-43) handles the placekicking and kickoff duties, but his longest field goal is only 28 yards and he has only three touchbacks on kickoffs. Speedy Dobbs is averaging 18 yards per punt return while Wesley Pierce and Joe Welk handle the kick return duties. Analysis:

Bloomsburg certainly provided a blueprint of how to defend East Stroudsburg, but then again, they also showed how to stop the Golden Rams. Without Soltes at quarterback, the Warriors really become one dimensional. And they had net -45 yards rushing against Kutztown and only 17 yards on the ground against Bloomsburg. Defending 6'3" Schnaars and 6'6" Jones can be a "big" challenge for the PSAC's best pass defense.

Scoring against East Stroudsburg has't been a challenge for Zwaan coached teams as he's 8-0 when scoring 30 or more points against the Warriors. And what a coincidence, East Stroudsburg's defense is allowing an average of 30.9 points per game this season. The Warriors are 13th in the conference in total yards allowed (Cheyney is 11th) and are far more susceptible to the run at 220 yards per game. East Stroudsburg's defense is among the PSAC leader in sacks, so keeping Sean McCartney clean and giving him time will be key. Finally, the Warriors are one of the most penalized teams in the league, so the Golden Rams have to be disciplined and not get drawn into any skirmishes.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video (also check WPHL affiliate Tango)  

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester-East Stroudsburg Clash Saturday To Be Broadcast Live

PSAC Site - Football - Week 10 Notes

East Stroudsburg Athletic Site - ESU Football Game Notes vs. West Chester

KYW Newsradio - Road Test For West Chester Saturday At ESU

Morning Call - Muhlenberg kicking foes to the curb

D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC West Division Up For Grabs in Week 10