Fighting through adversity. After last season, West Chester lost a few players that were significant contributors and still had playing eligibility left, most notably wide receiver A.J. DePietro who started his working career and defensive end Byron Cooper who transferred to Widener where he was an AFCA All-American and a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award. While such losses are typical, they're still not easy.
Then just before camp opened in early August, defensive end Sean Boylan tragically took his own life. It was an event that made everyone associated with the program look beyond football and reflect on the things that matter in life. Ten days later, defensive tackle Dominic Toney and defensive back/wide receiver Russhon Phillips were removed from the roster due to legal issues.
The season opened at Bentley in Massachusetts,a state where West Chester had not played since 1991. A late-game pick six led West Chester to a narrow win, but the game was costly as starting defensive end George Shipp would miss the next seven games and senior wide receiver Jim Hurley would miss four games and be limited when he did play.
The Golden Rams returned home and took an 8-point loss to #12 ranked Slippery Rock. A long road trip to the northwest corner of the state saw West Chester return home 1-2 after a 54-51 double overtime loss to Edinboro. Injured in the contest was linebacker and team captain Ralph Reeves. Although the injury didn't appear serious, it would end Reeves' football career.
An expected throttling of Lock Haven had injuries that would cause starting quarterback Andrew Derr and senior wider receiver Shannon Mayer to both miss the next four games. A depleted roster couldn't keep pace with the Golden Bears on a rainy night in Kutztown and West Chester's record stood at 2-3, 0-1 in the the PSAC East.
Winning out wasn't enough as the Golden Rams would also need help to advance to the postseason. A convincing win against Shippensburg was followed by a dominating defensive performance at Bloomsburg. West Chester would win their remaining four games over Cheyney, East Stroudsburg, Millersville and Clarion by an average score of 44-9, but it was not enough for postseason play as the Golden Rams finished 8-3 and in second place in the PSAC East.
West Chester was troubled by penalties all season long. For the season, they were flagged 96 times for 881 yards. Their 8.7 penalties per game ranked 141st and 80.1 penalty yards per game ranked 140th out of 170 teams in the country. In five games, they were flagged at least ten times. Ironically, the two teams that played for the Super Region 1 championship - Shepherd and California - were even worse.
Friday, December 30, 2016
West Chester was 4-1 on the new turf in Farrell Stadium (Photo R&R Photography)
Captains Kevin Malone, Doug Gilbert and Ralph Reeves (Photo Ron Hockman)
Coach Zwaan went 8-3 in a challenging season (Photo Ron Hockman)
Penalties were a problem all season (Photo Ron Hockman)Thursday, December 29, 2016
Teams News - 2016 Season Review - Offense
A balanced effort led the Golden Rams to the third ranked offense in the PSAC and 15th in the country. The running game ranked fourth with 199 yards per game, while the passing game went for 281 yards per game for a total offense of 480 yards per contest. This was the second most prolific offense (2014) in the Bill Zwaan era at West Chester. The highest output came at Edinboro with the Golden Rams rolled up 758 yards and in no game this season was West Chester held to less than 350 yards of offense. The Golden Rams converted 49% of their third downs which was second in the conference and ninth in the nation.
The Golden Rams fumbled 12 times and lost five of them. It’s interesting to note that nine of those fumbles and four of the five lost fumbles came in the games against Cheyney and Millersville, probably more due to a lack of mental focus than weather conditions. West Chester was 7-0 in games where they didn’t throw an interception, but just 1-3 in games in which they did throw a pick. On average, the Golden Rams' offense held the ball 35:21 per game, tops in the entire PSAC and second best in all of Division II.
Quarterback
The quarterback was a roller coaster for West Chester. Last year’s starter Pat Moriarty was tabbed as the opening day starter this season as well. But in 12 pass attempts at Bentley, he completed two to Golden Rams and two to Falcons, and so he was lifted for Andrew Derr, who would then start the next four games. During that span he completed 12 touchdown passes, but he also threw 10 interceptions and West Chester went 1-3. He set a team record with 63 pass attempts against Slippery Rock only to break that record the very next week with 70 passes at Edinboro, a game for which he was named ECAC Offensive Player of the Week. Derr sustained a foot injury at Kutztown, so Moriarty started played the next four games. Derr would return for the final two games against Millersville and Clarion. For the season, Derr finished 146 of 259, 56.4%, 2,159 yards, 17 TD’s, and 11 int’s for an efficiency rating of 139.6. Moriarty finished 55 of 114, 48.2%, 810 yards, 8 TD’s, and 2 int’s for an efficiency rating of 127.6.
Alec Werner was 5 of 6 for 69 yards and a touchdown on the season. Redshirt freshman Paul Dooley completed his only pass attempt for 11 yards, but he did pick up 129 yards on the ground. When all combined, the passing game ranked fifth in the PSAC with 281 yards per game. West Chester got a lot of rushing yards from the quarterback position this year. Derr (59 carries, 163 yards, 5 TD’s) got the bulk of the carries, but Dooley (20 carries, 129 yards, 1 TD) saw action in the final six games of the season from the wildcat position.
Offensive Line
The offensive line was fourth in the conference in allowing only 16 sacks this season. Left tackle Doug Gilbert is one of the most decorated offensive lineman in recent West Chester history having earned first team All-PSAC East honors in all three seasons that he started. Next to him was junior Vince Lostracco who earned second team All-PSAC East honors. At center was Devan LaBau. Right guard Tyler Drob earned first team All-PSAC East recognition and Evyn Stadulis started at right tackle this season. Gilbert graduated earlier this month, but the other four are expected to return next season.
Spelling the starters were Jake Duncan, Alex Host, Connor Walsh and Frank Tranzilli.
Running Back
There were plenty of options at running back, but junior Jarel Elder (202 carries, 1,013 yards, 11 TD’s) got a bulk of the work. The junior earned first team All-PSAC East honors. The season saw the emergence of sophomores Mike Class (59 carries, 351 yards, 3 TD’s) and Mark Dukes (20 carries, 128 yards, 1 TD). And Eerin Young filled the stat sheet in running (75 carries, 333 yards, 2 TD’s) as well as receiving (28 catches, 283 yards, 1 TD).
Wide Receiver
Senior Shannon Mayer (23 catches, 281 yards, 3 TD’s) started the season with two big games at Bentley (7 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD) and against Slippery Rock (9 catches, 128 yards, 1 TD), but an injury caused him to miss six games and only get limited action in the final three contests. Classmate Jim Hurley (6 catches, 137 yards, 1 TD) was also limited this season due to an injury at Bentley.
So the top targets of Golden Ram quarterbacks were junior Tyler Karpinski (45 catches, 798 yards, 8 TD’s), sophomore Jordan Banks (38 catches, 593 yards, 8 TD’s) and junior Marcus Sydnor (20 catches, 365 yards, 3 TD’s). Karpinski had a catch in every game and eclipsed 100 yards receiving against Edinboro (178 yards), Bloomsburg (105 yards) and Shippensburg (102 yards). As a result, he was named first team All-PSAC East. Banks had 113 yards and two touchdowns against Lock Haven and Sydnor quietly had a catch in every game.
Redshirt freshman Lex Rosario (11 catches, 146 yards) and sophomore Brandon Kuntz (9 catches, 102) each had very good showings at Edinboro.
Tight End/H-back
Junior Bill Ford didn’t register any statistics, but he served as the starting H-back for the first seven games of the season until legal events took him off the football team. Sophomore Simon Williams (5 catches, 102 yards, 1 TD) got most of the starts at tight end and true freshman Cody Boozel (2 catches 37 yards) also saw time. All the way from the United Kingdom, Matt Sharp (1 catch, 9 yards, 1 TD) had his significant moment against Cheyney while redshirt freshman Tyler Higgins also saw time this past season.
The Golden Rams fumbled 12 times and lost five of them. It’s interesting to note that nine of those fumbles and four of the five lost fumbles came in the games against Cheyney and Millersville, probably more due to a lack of mental focus than weather conditions. West Chester was 7-0 in games where they didn’t throw an interception, but just 1-3 in games in which they did throw a pick. On average, the Golden Rams' offense held the ball 35:21 per game, tops in the entire PSAC and second best in all of Division II.
Quarterback
The quarterback was a roller coaster for West Chester. Last year’s starter Pat Moriarty was tabbed as the opening day starter this season as well. But in 12 pass attempts at Bentley, he completed two to Golden Rams and two to Falcons, and so he was lifted for Andrew Derr, who would then start the next four games. During that span he completed 12 touchdown passes, but he also threw 10 interceptions and West Chester went 1-3. He set a team record with 63 pass attempts against Slippery Rock only to break that record the very next week with 70 passes at Edinboro, a game for which he was named ECAC Offensive Player of the Week. Derr sustained a foot injury at Kutztown, so Moriarty started played the next four games. Derr would return for the final two games against Millersville and Clarion. For the season, Derr finished 146 of 259, 56.4%, 2,159 yards, 17 TD’s, and 11 int’s for an efficiency rating of 139.6. Moriarty finished 55 of 114, 48.2%, 810 yards, 8 TD’s, and 2 int’s for an efficiency rating of 127.6.
Derr threw for 2,159 yards in 7 games (Photo R&R Photography)
Moriarty also lined up as a receiver this season (Photo R&R Photography)Alec Werner was 5 of 6 for 69 yards and a touchdown on the season. Redshirt freshman Paul Dooley completed his only pass attempt for 11 yards, but he did pick up 129 yards on the ground. When all combined, the passing game ranked fifth in the PSAC with 281 yards per game. West Chester got a lot of rushing yards from the quarterback position this year. Derr (59 carries, 163 yards, 5 TD’s) got the bulk of the carries, but Dooley (20 carries, 129 yards, 1 TD) saw action in the final six games of the season from the wildcat position.
Werner saw limited action this season (Photo R&R Photography)
Dooley scored a touchdown at Bloomsburg (Photo R&R Photography)Offensive Line
The offensive line was fourth in the conference in allowing only 16 sacks this season. Left tackle Doug Gilbert is one of the most decorated offensive lineman in recent West Chester history having earned first team All-PSAC East honors in all three seasons that he started. Next to him was junior Vince Lostracco who earned second team All-PSAC East honors. At center was Devan LaBau. Right guard Tyler Drob earned first team All-PSAC East recognition and Evyn Stadulis started at right tackle this season. Gilbert graduated earlier this month, but the other four are expected to return next season.
Gilbert has manned the left tackle spot for three years (Photo Ron Hockman)
Lostracco was second team All-PSAC East (Photo R&R Photography)
Labau snapped to a variety of QB's this year (Photo R&R Photography)
Drob was first team All-PSAC East (Photo Ron Hockman)
Stadulis started every game at right tackle (Photo R&R Photography)Spelling the starters were Jake Duncan, Alex Host, Connor Walsh and Frank Tranzilli.
Duncan saw time in nine games this year (Photo R&R Photography)
Host played in every game this season (Photo R&R Photography)
Tranzilli saw action against Lock Haven (Photo Ron Hockman)Running Back
There were plenty of options at running back, but junior Jarel Elder (202 carries, 1,013 yards, 11 TD’s) got a bulk of the work. The junior earned first team All-PSAC East honors. The season saw the emergence of sophomores Mike Class (59 carries, 351 yards, 3 TD’s) and Mark Dukes (20 carries, 128 yards, 1 TD). And Eerin Young filled the stat sheet in running (75 carries, 333 yards, 2 TD’s) as well as receiving (28 catches, 283 yards, 1 TD).
Elder leaves a wake of defenders (Photo R&R Photography) 
Class was PSAC East Offensive Player of the Week after Clarion 
Dukes was part of a massive rushing effort at East Stroudsburg
Young was a dual threat on offense (Photo R&R Photography) Wide Receiver
Senior Shannon Mayer (23 catches, 281 yards, 3 TD’s) started the season with two big games at Bentley (7 catches, 73 yards, 1 TD) and against Slippery Rock (9 catches, 128 yards, 1 TD), but an injury caused him to miss six games and only get limited action in the final three contests. Classmate Jim Hurley (6 catches, 137 yards, 1 TD) was also limited this season due to an injury at Bentley.
Mayer had a big game against the Rock (Photo Ron Hockman) 
Two of Hurley's 6 catches went for more than 40 yardsSo the top targets of Golden Ram quarterbacks were junior Tyler Karpinski (45 catches, 798 yards, 8 TD’s), sophomore Jordan Banks (38 catches, 593 yards, 8 TD’s) and junior Marcus Sydnor (20 catches, 365 yards, 3 TD’s). Karpinski had a catch in every game and eclipsed 100 yards receiving against Edinboro (178 yards), Bloomsburg (105 yards) and Shippensburg (102 yards). As a result, he was named first team All-PSAC East. Banks had 113 yards and two touchdowns against Lock Haven and Sydnor quietly had a catch in every game.
Karpinski had three 100-yard receiving games (Photo Ron Hockman)
Banks had two TD catches against Lock Haven (Photo Ron Hockman)
Sydnor had a catch in every game (Photo Ron Hockman)Redshirt freshman Lex Rosario (11 catches, 146 yards) and sophomore Brandon Kuntz (9 catches, 102) each had very good showings at Edinboro.
Rosario made an impact in his first season (Photo R&R Photography)
Kuntz had nine catches on the year (Photo Ron Hockman)Tight End/H-back
Junior Bill Ford didn’t register any statistics, but he served as the starting H-back for the first seven games of the season until legal events took him off the football team. Sophomore Simon Williams (5 catches, 102 yards, 1 TD) got most of the starts at tight end and true freshman Cody Boozel (2 catches 37 yards) also saw time. All the way from the United Kingdom, Matt Sharp (1 catch, 9 yards, 1 TD) had his significant moment against Cheyney while redshirt freshman Tyler Higgins also saw time this past season.
Ford was a contributor on special teams (Photo Ron Hockman)
Williams scored a TD against Cheyney (Photo Ron Hockman)
Boozel had a 34-yard catch at Bloomsburg (Photo R&R Photography)
Sharp celebrates his TD catch (Photo R&R Photography)
Higgins primarily contributed on special teams (Photo R&R Photography)Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Teams News - 2016 Season Review - Defense
The defense was definitely the strength of the Golden Rams this season. Defense (300 yards per game) was third in the PSAC and 16th in the country. And the breakdown shows that the efforts were balanced – rushing (98 yards per game) was third in the PSAC and 13th in the nation, while passing (203 yards per game) was third in the conference and 56th in Division II.
About the only knock on the defense was the lack of quarterback sacks, as their team total of 19 ranked only 12th in the conference. In the category that matters most – scoring – West Chester’s 18 points allowed per game was third in the PSAC and 14th in the nation. The Golden Rams led the PSAC in third down conversion rate of 25.5% which ranked fourth in the country. And the team’s second best in the country time of possession mark is a credit to the defense as much as the offense.
Providing relief of the front four were tackles Joe DeSanto (17 tackles) and Ben Smith (4 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss) and ends Sean Steinmetz (13 tackles, 1.5 sacks) and Shane Griffin (10 tackles, 1.5 sacks). Starting defensive end George Shipp (6 tackles, 2.0 sacks) got injured in the season opener at Bentley and only returned for the final three games of the season. All nine players that played on the defensive line are expected to return next season.
In the shark position, Nydair Rouse (15 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble) absolutely sparkled. He returned his three picks for a total of 142 yards and all three were returned for touchdowns, including the game-winner at Bentley. For the season, Rouse was named first team All-PSAC East and first team All-ECAC. His backup, Jarey Elder (20 tackles, 2 interceptions) also nabbed two interceptions. Both should return in 2017.
Backing up the safety spot was Pete Galiano (35 tackles, 1 interception, 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble) who was also a major contributor on special teams. Senior Blaise Schieler (20 tackles, 1 interception, 5 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble) saw significant time at cornerback as well. Spelling Malone at safety was Deionte Wilson (13 tackles, 1 interception, 2 pass breakups). Of the secondary, only James and Wilson were not seniors.
About the only knock on the defense was the lack of quarterback sacks, as their team total of 19 ranked only 12th in the conference. In the category that matters most – scoring – West Chester’s 18 points allowed per game was third in the PSAC and 14th in the nation. The Golden Rams led the PSAC in third down conversion rate of 25.5% which ranked fourth in the country. And the team’s second best in the country time of possession mark is a credit to the defense as much as the offense.
Defensive Line
Ch'aim Smith led the team in tackles for loss (Photo R&R Photography)
Dubyk had 37 tackles on the season (Photo Ron Hockman)
Ganzelli was first team All-PSAC East (Photo Ron Hockman)
Johnson forced two fumbles this year (Photo Ron Hockman)Providing relief of the front four were tackles Joe DeSanto (17 tackles) and Ben Smith (4 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss) and ends Sean Steinmetz (13 tackles, 1.5 sacks) and Shane Griffin (10 tackles, 1.5 sacks). Starting defensive end George Shipp (6 tackles, 2.0 sacks) got injured in the season opener at Bentley and only returned for the final three games of the season. All nine players that played on the defensive line are expected to return next season.
DeSanto applies pressure at East Stroudsburg (Photo R&R Photography)
Ben Smith logged 1.5 tackles for loss (Photo R&R Photography)
Steinmetz moved from linebacker to defensive end (Photo R&R Photography)
Griffin contains the edge against Shippensburg (Photo Ron Hockman)
Shipp saw limited action due to an injury (Photo R&R Photography)Linebackers
Reeves played in only three games due to injury (Photo Ron Hockman)
Denby had 44 tackles on the season (Photo Ron Hockman)
Duggan was second team All-PSAC East (Photo R&R Photography)
Justice Smith played in ten games this year (Photo R&R Photography)In the shark position, Nydair Rouse (15 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble) absolutely sparkled. He returned his three picks for a total of 142 yards and all three were returned for touchdowns, including the game-winner at Bentley. For the season, Rouse was named first team All-PSAC East and first team All-ECAC. His backup, Jarey Elder (20 tackles, 2 interceptions) also nabbed two interceptions. Both should return in 2017.
Rouse had three pick-sixes this season (Photo R&R Photography)
Jarey Elder had two interceptions this year (Photo R&R Photography)Secondary
James had a team-high eight pass breakups (Photo R&R Photography)
Patton had four interceptions this season (Photo R&R Photography)
Malone was first team All-PSAC East (Photo R&R Photography)
Keyser had 38 tackles on the year (Photo Ron Hockman)Backing up the safety spot was Pete Galiano (35 tackles, 1 interception, 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble) who was also a major contributor on special teams. Senior Blaise Schieler (20 tackles, 1 interception, 5 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble) saw significant time at cornerback as well. Spelling Malone at safety was Deionte Wilson (13 tackles, 1 interception, 2 pass breakups). Of the secondary, only James and Wilson were not seniors.
Galiano had an interception in his final collegiate game (Photo R&R Photography)
Scheiler had a 39-yard interception return (Photo R&R Photography)
Wilson had a pick against the Rock (Photo R&R Photography)