Game Report - West Chester 37 - Lock Haven 7

On Lock Haven’s first series of the contest, when their third-down screen pass attempt got blown up and resulted in a 12-yard sack and forced fumble credited to Josh Ganzelli, this game had a different feel from the prior three. The Golden Rams would score on three of their first four drives while the defense forced the Bald Eagles into four punts and two turnovers to stake a 16-0 halftime lead. West Chester would go on to win 37-7, evening their overall record at 2-2 and going 1-0 in the PSAC East.

Josh Ganzelli blew up Lock Haven's first drive (Photo Ron Hockman)

Quarterback Andrew Derr finished 21 of 36 for 294 yards and three touchdowns passing to go along with 50 yards and two scores rushing. His passing line was certainly affected by dropped passes – four by Golden Ram receivers and two by Lock Haven defenders. Derr’s top targets were Jordan Banks (5 catches, 113 yards, 2 touchdowns), Tyler Karpinski (8 catches, 75 yards) and Eerin Young (3 catches, 61 yards, 1 touchdown). Not to be overlooked was the success of the running game. Unlike last week when a couple of big plays contributed to the total, seven different players had double-digit rushing yards with the longest run of the night being 22 yards. Jarel Elder led the way with 87 yards in the game.

The West Chester defense played a huge part in the victory. Lock Haven entered the game averaging over 350 passing yards per game, but managed only 163 yards through the air against the Golden Rams. Seven different defenders registered pass breakups led by Kevin Malone and Ted Patton who each had two. Patton also grabbed his second interception of the season. Safety Kyle Keyser and linebacker Steven Denby each had a team-high six tackles.

Kicker/punter Brendan Paulison had an up and down game. He missed his first PAT of the season, going 4 of 5 on the day and was 1 of 2 on field goals, making a 20-yarder but hooking a 39-yard attempt. But Paulison’s kickoffs were deep and outside the numbers and his only punt of the game was spectacular, downed at the Lock Haven 1-yard line with 39 second left in the first half. With all three time outs in their pocket and the way the defense had been playing, this appeared to be an opportunity for more points for West Chester. But consecutive defensive pass interference penalties by the Golden Rams thwarted any further scoring in the half.

Penalties were once again an issue as the Golden Rams were flagged ten times for 105 yards resulting in five of Lock Haven’s 21 first downs. Four were of the 15-yard variety including an unsportsmanlike conduct call on Nydair Rouse on the play prior to Lock Haven’s only score of the game. All in all, it was a good win, but keep in mind that the opponent is still seeking its first win of the season.

Notes - West Chester had only a total of 11 possessions in the game, compared to last week’s game at Edinboro when they 11 possessions in the second half alone…wide receiver Shannon Mayer played sparingly early in the game, but his hamstring kept him from getting a reception…Pat Moriarty was on the field as a receiver but did not register a catch…Phil Mitten, grandson of former West Chester head coach Dr. Robert Mitten, saw action on special teams.

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West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Football Opens PSAC Slate With 37-7 Win Over Lock Haven

Lock Haven Athletic Site - Football drops PSAC East opener at West Chester

SunGazette.com - Bald Eagles fall at WCU