Team News - 2017 Season Review - Overall

Entering the season, the questions for this team were in the secondary and at quarterback. And it didn't take long for more questions to mount when injuries affected both the offensive and defensive lines. But somehow, the Golden Rams won, played in the PSAC championship game, and qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs after a two year absence. It's hard to say that this wasn't masterful work by the coaching staff. While the season surely wasn't perfect - the games against Slippery Rock and Bloomsburg were very winnable and the contests versus East Stroudsburg and Millersville were a struggle - it exceeded most fans' expectations.

Captains Shaq James, Jarel Elder, Josh Ganzelli, Kevin Duggan, and Tyler Drob
(Photo Ron Hockman)

The season opened with a 51-9 thumping of Northeast-10 opponent Bentley. Then it was on the road to the westen half of the state to take on Slippery Rock. Despite outgaining the Rock, the Golden Rams battled penalties all evening. They battled back from 21 points down midway through the third quarter to tie the game at 42 with six minutes left, the Rock scored the game-winning touchdown thanks in part to a pass interference penalty.

West Chester returned home to take on Edinboro which was 2-0 and coming off a 9-2 2016 season. The outcome was hardly in doubt as the Golden Rams laid a 62-28 waxing of the Fighting Scots. It was the start of a four-game winning streak as the A.J. Long led team garnered a victory at Lock Haven. The team showed its mettle when it scored a touchdown in the final minute to tip Kutztown 27-21 which set up a showdown at undefeated Shippensburg. It was another tight battle until Andrew Chegia kicked a 41-yard field goal to give the Golden Rams the lead for good with under seven minutes left.

The 2017 Golden Ram seniors (Photo Ron Hockman)

Hosting arch rival Bloomsburg with a division title in sight, the Golden Rams defense couldn't get off the field and the offensive passing game never got going, but it was a pass interference call against West Chester on fourth and long late in the fourth quarter that led to the Huskies' 20-19 win. The team rebounded the following week at Cheyney in what appears to be the final between the two schools. Then in front of a huge homecoming crowd on a beautiful day, the Golden Rams held a 31-6 lead heading into the final quarter against East Stroudsburg, but only managed to hang on for the 31-26 win when redshirt freshman defensive end David Simmons registered a sack to end the game. But the lethargy lingered the following week at Millersville, who led a majority of the game. It wasn't until Mike Class scored on a one-yard run with 1:18 left to play that the Golden Rams led since the first frame. Defensive back Rashee Davis sealed the win with an interception. With the win, and Bloomsburg's 27-24 loss at Lock Haven two weeks earlier, the Golden Rams would represent the East division in the PSAC championship.

For the second time in three years, West Chester hosted the PSAC championship game. Unfortunately, Indiana held an eight minute advantage in time of possession and the Golden Rams threw four interceptions in leading to a 24-7 win for the Crimson Hawks. Despite the loss, West Chester's 8-3 record and superior strength of schedule was enough for them to qualify for the NCAA Division II playoffs for the eighth time in Bill Zwaan's 15 seasons at West Chester University.

Bill Zwaan has led West Chester to the postseason 8 times (Photo Ron Hockman)

The team had renewed energy and shook off the previous nine quarters of football as they dominated host Shippensburg on a cold and rainy day in the first round of the playoffs. But the season came to an end the following week, when a rematch with PSAC champion Indiana ended in a 44-10 loss.

Despite a new quarterback and a multitude of injuries on both lines, the Golden Rams finished 2017 with a 9-4 record and a trip to the playoffs. Thirteen players received All-PSAC honors, while senior running back Jarel Elder and junior linebacker Tyler Morrissey were named the PSAC East Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year respectively. Morrissey also received All-American recognition from the Associated Press, the CCA and D2football.com. And Brendan Paulison has shown to be one of the best punters in the nation.