Game Preview - East Stroudsburg

The Golden Rams (6-1, 3-1) celebrate homecoming by hosting the East Stroudsburg Warriors (5-2, 2-2). Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 pm on Saturday.

Series History:
West Chester leads the overall series 61-22 and Golden Ram head coach Bill Zwaan is 14-3 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. It's the only time that East Stroudsburg has won at West Chester in the past dozen years and the last time that the Warriors have reached the playoffs. The Warriors are led by former Warrior quarterback and first year head coach Jimmy Terwilliger.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
2009	Home	Loss	21-20	2014	Away	Win	35-24
2010	Away	Win	35-31	2015	Home	Win	41-27
2011	Home	Win	37-26	2016	Away	Win	41-14
2012	Away	Loss	35-28	2017	Home	Win	31-26
2013	Home	Win	34-20	2018	Away	Win	53-24

Last Meeting:

10/20/2018 West Chester 53 - East Stroudsburg 24

West Chester raced out to a 34-0 first half lead and waltzed their way to a victory in the Poconos. The Warriors run defense was suspicious and the Golden Rams took advantage of it as they rushed for 357 yards, including 101 yards and two touchdowns from Trael Seegers. Quarterback Mike Piperno (8 of 13, 137 yards, 1 TD, 1 int) made his first collegiate start and Zach Gilbert also tossed a touchdown. Lex Rosario (3 catches, 43 yards) and Dan Neuhaus (2 catches, 28 yards) also made contributions on offense. Defensively, end Ch'aim Smith had five tackles including two sacks.

Scouting the Opponent:

Quarterback Jake Cirillo (129 of 199, 1,468 yards, 12 TD's, 6 int's; 72 carries, 389 yards, 3 TD's) is the Warriors' leading passer and rusher. Ben Moser (11 of 22, 139 yards) was East Stroudsburg's primary quarterback each of the last two seasons, but has played sparingly since Terwilliger took the head coaching reigns. When they do use a running back, it's usually Devante Robinson (92 carries, 332 yards, 8 TD's). East Stroudsburg has interesting options when throwing the ball. There's speedy Javier Buffalo (33 catches, 420 yards, 5 TD's) and 6'3 215lb RJ Sarajian (25 catches, 300 yards, 2 TD's). But Cirillo sprays the ball around as six receivers have at least 15 catches on the season.

Senior Jordan Walters does all the kicking for East Stroudsburg. He's fourth in the PSAC in punting with a 40-yard average with nine inside the opponent 20-yard line. He leads the conference in field goals (9 of 12) with a long of 44 yards and has been perfect on his 29 PAT attempts. And he's boomed 18 touchbacks on his 42 kickoffs.

Linebackers Jameer Brooks (45 tackles, 5.5 TFL) and Joel Ozoemena (43 tackles, 6.0 TFL, 2 int) are the team's top tacklers. Free safety Tyler Watson (36 tackles, 2 int, 4 PBU) leads the secondary. Up front, defensive ends Joseph Odebode (23 tackles, 8.0 TFL, 3.5 sacks) and Deshawn McCarthy (15 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks) are among the PSAC leaders in sacks.

Analysis:

East Stroudsburg was just 2-9 last season, but the Warriors were 1-1 under then interim head coach Terwilliger. He seemed to have breathed new life into the program as they opened 2019 with five straight wins. But much like West Chester, the quality of their opponents was very suspect and they have since lost back-to-back games to Kutztown and Bloomsburg. In their homecoming loss to Bloomsburg last Saturday, despite giving up 22 points, East Stroudsburg's defense didn't allow a touchdown. So much like the Golden Rams, the Warriors are an enigma.

West Chester will be better served if they can reduce the turnovers since they're -3 on the season. Since Cirillo runs ten times per game, he probably warrants a spy which will be a tough chore for West Chester's bigger linebackers. The Golden Rams struggled with Shepherd's passing game and East Stroudsburg will give West Chester another significant challenge. The Warriors don't take many sacks, so pressuring or sacking Cirillo will be tough. And without pressure up front, it may be another long day for the young Golden Ram secondary. Finally wide receiver Buffalo and kicker Walters have each completed a pass, so a trick play is not out of the question.

Atomic Football projects a ten-point Golden Ram victory while Massey Ratings cites a seven-point margin.

Notes:
Several past football teams will be honored during the game:

• 1959 PSAC Championship team coached by Glenn Killinger (7-1)
  selected by the Saylor Point System
  
• 1969 PSCAC Championship team coached by Bob Mitten (8-2)
  defeated Clarion 41-34 in PSCAC Championship Game
  
• 1989 PSAC East Championship team coached by Rick Daniels (8-3)
  lost in NCAA playoff at Portland St in 3 OT's
  
• 1999 PSAC East Championship team coached by Rick Daniels (7-3)
  undefeated in PSAC East play
  

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video  

West Chester Athletic Site - Homecoming Preparations In Place For Saturday's Football Game

West Chester Athletic Site - Depth Chart - West Chester vs. East Stroudsburg

PSAC Site - PSAC Football Notes - Week 8

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

KYW Newsradio - West Chester hosts East Stroudsburg for a homecoming showdown

D2football - PSAC East Columnist - PSAC East - Week Eight Preview