Head coach Rick Daniels entered his second season at the helm after quite the successful rookie appearance. In 1989, the Golden Rams took only one Division II loss in the regular season and qualified for the NCAA playoffs where they fell in the first round at Portland State in three overtimes. But 1990 would be different. Annual non-conference opponent Delaware was then a member of the Yankee Conference which, with nine schools, afforded the Blue Hens with two available dates to play West Chester. The initial target date appears to have been October 6, but Delaware scheduled rival William & Mary that weekend. This caused the Golden Rams to travel to Newark on September 22, Delaware's only remaining open date. But West Chester was already scheduled to play PSAC East opponent Mansfield on that date. Faced with a decision, West Chester chose the money from Delaware over a conference opponent to whom they never lost. As a result, the PSAC suspended West Chester from the conference games and post season awards for that season.
West Chester would still play the other members of the PSAC East, but those games would not count for the opponents in the division standings.
The team spent all of September on the road - American International, Boston University, Delaware and Millersville - and returned to West Chester with a 1-3 record. In the Golden Rams' home opener, despite a record setting performance, New Haven nipped West Chester 58-57. Quarterback Ed Brown threw for 449 yards and six touchdowns in the loss. West Chester would go on to win their remaining games against PSAC opponents Kutztown, Lock Haven, East Stroudsburg, Cheyney and Bloomsburg.
Golden Rams fans only had the opportunity to see three games at Farrell Stadium. The only other season with so few games at home was 1975. Running back Derrick Price rushed for 1,457 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. Quarterback Ed Brown threw for 1,750 yards and 25 touchdowns on the season, connecting with tight end Scott Asman 61 times for 639 yards and nine scores. George Reid led the team with ten touchdowns and Jon Garabarino had 82 tackles. John Marotta finished his career as the best kicker in West Chester history.
Thursday, May 28, 2020
John Marotta set school records for career extra points made, field goals made and kicking points
Derrick Price became the first player at WCU with 4,000 career rushing yards
The defense gets some coaching on the sidelines
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Throwback Thursday - 2000
Y2K wasn't nearly as big an issue for a society heavily reliant on computers as some had predicted, but it certainly was catastrophic for the Golden Rams. Before 2000, the only other season in which West Chester finished 2-9 was 1978, but that was when they were not in the PSAC and played the likes of Lehigh, New Hampshire and Northeastern.
Sure, in 2000 West Chester faced tough non-conference opponents like New Haven, UC-Davis and Delaware. But the Golden Rams lost those three games by a combined score of 136-0!!! It really was a matter of bad timing for those opponents. UC-Davis, behind All-American and future San Francisco 49ers quarterback J. T. O'Sullivan would go on to the NCAA Division II semi-finals where they lost 58-48 to Bloomsburg. And current Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy led Delaware to the NCAA Division I-AA semifinals that season. Meanwhile, West Chester was breaking in a new quarterback after four-year starter Mike Mitros completed his eligibility in 1999. True freshman George Caroulis, who was not even listed among the top three quarterbacks on the roster two weeks into the season, played just four games and was West Chester's leading passer for the season.
The team suffered five shutouts in all that season, and the offense scored only 104 points, the lowest output since World War II. And that total was boosted by a 34-14 win at Mansfield and a 30-6 win at Cheyney. The defense fared much better, led by All-PSAC defensive ends Rasheem Reed and Raheem Islam. Junior punter Ron Minck also received all-conference honors.
Sure, in 2000 West Chester faced tough non-conference opponents like New Haven, UC-Davis and Delaware. But the Golden Rams lost those three games by a combined score of 136-0!!! It really was a matter of bad timing for those opponents. UC-Davis, behind All-American and future San Francisco 49ers quarterback J. T. O'Sullivan would go on to the NCAA Division II semi-finals where they lost 58-48 to Bloomsburg. And current Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy led Delaware to the NCAA Division I-AA semifinals that season. Meanwhile, West Chester was breaking in a new quarterback after four-year starter Mike Mitros completed his eligibility in 1999. True freshman George Caroulis, who was not even listed among the top three quarterbacks on the roster two weeks into the season, played just four games and was West Chester's leading passer for the season.
The team suffered five shutouts in all that season, and the offense scored only 104 points, the lowest output since World War II. And that total was boosted by a 34-14 win at Mansfield and a 30-6 win at Cheyney. The defense fared much better, led by All-PSAC defensive ends Rasheem Reed and Raheem Islam. Junior punter Ron Minck also received all-conference honors.
Raheem Islam had 7 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in 2000Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Team News - 2020 Schedule to be Reduced
The PSAC is represented on the NCAA Division II President’s Council by IUP president Dr. Michael Driscoll. The maximum and minimum number of contests for all sports for the 2020-2021 academic year can be found here.
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Throwback Thursday - 2010
Throwback Thursday - 2010
The Golden Rams entered the 2010 season ranked #22 in the country and were selected by the PSAC coaches as the favorite to win the eastern division, albeit without a single first place vote. But the squad was comprised of a majority of players who didn't have much experience as over 30 players from the 2009 team had departed due to eligibility or other reasons. So it was your typical box of chocolates.
The opener was the annual flogging at Delaware. The Golden Rams hadn't sniffed a win there since 1996 when they lost by only one touchdown. And although it wasn't as bad as the 84-0 pounding they took in 2000, it was yet another shutout on a hot Thursday evening. But now it was time to move on to conference play.
In honor of former Golden Ram quarterback Mike Horrocks, West Chester was set to dedicate a statue of him on the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. It was an incredibly emotional and beautiful afternoon. But despite West Chester holding nearly a two-to-one advantage in yards, seven penalties and six turnovers were too much to overcome and the Golden Rams fell to Edinboro 16-14. Narrow margins became the theme for the early part of the season. The following week at Slippery Rock, West Chester fell in overtime, 33-27. The Rock converted a 47-yard field goal with 31 seconds left in the game to force bonus football, then scored a touchdown on its possession in the extra period, but the PAT was blocked which gave West Chester hope for a win when they got the ball. However the Golden Rams couldn't get across the goal line.
The following week at East Stroudsburg, West Chester held off the Warriors 35-31. The Golden Rams' offense was outplayed by the hosts, but 14 points off turnovers, including a pick-six by John O'Donnell led to the win. The next week was a triple overtime, marathon loss to visiting C.W. Post, 39-37.
West Chester was then set to host Shippensburg on a Thursday night, nationally televised game. What looked to be a marquee matchup prior to the season - West Chester had been to the playoffs in five of the previous six seasons while Shippensburg won the PSAC and made a trip to the NCAA's in 2009 - had to leave the schedulers scratching their heads since both teams entered just 1-4. To add to West Chester's concern of three close losses, the Golden Rams would be without starting quarterback Mike Mattei. Starting in his place would be redshirt freshman Sean McCartney who had thrown a total of six collegiate passes in mop up duty at Delaware. It turned out to be another close game for West Chester, as it went to two overtimes, but the Golden Rams came out on top, 44-43. In his first career start, McCartney went 27 of 49 for 444 yards and five touchdowns. Dan DePalma (7 catches, 97 yards, 1 TD), Jackson Fagan (6 catches, 48 yards), Tim Keyser (4 catches, 127 yards, 2 TD's), and LaRonn Lee (4 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD) all had big games. But it was Lucas Fickel who blocked the Raider's PAT in the second overtime that started the celebration.
But the Golden Rams didn't quite turn the corner on the season. They defeated Cheyney the following week, 48-34, but despite the win, they allowed more points to Cheyney in that single game than the previous seven meetings combined. The defense allowed 45 points in each of the next two contests - at Bloomsburg (which would later advance to the second round of the playoffs) and at Kutztown. An easy 45-14 win over Millersville, who was winless in the division, followed and then a 27-10 loss at Indiana brought the season to a close. At 4-7, it was the first losing season for West Chester under head coach Bill Zwaan.
Wide receiver Dan DePalma and defensive end Travis Ford-Bey were both named first team All-PSAC East. Running back Jackson Fagan, center Kyle O’Neil, nose guard Lucas Fickel and punter Chris Hill received second team honors.
The opener was the annual flogging at Delaware. The Golden Rams hadn't sniffed a win there since 1996 when they lost by only one touchdown. And although it wasn't as bad as the 84-0 pounding they took in 2000, it was yet another shutout on a hot Thursday evening. But now it was time to move on to conference play.
In honor of former Golden Ram quarterback Mike Horrocks, West Chester was set to dedicate a statue of him on the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. It was an incredibly emotional and beautiful afternoon. But despite West Chester holding nearly a two-to-one advantage in yards, seven penalties and six turnovers were too much to overcome and the Golden Rams fell to Edinboro 16-14. Narrow margins became the theme for the early part of the season. The following week at Slippery Rock, West Chester fell in overtime, 33-27. The Rock converted a 47-yard field goal with 31 seconds left in the game to force bonus football, then scored a touchdown on its possession in the extra period, but the PAT was blocked which gave West Chester hope for a win when they got the ball. However the Golden Rams couldn't get across the goal line.
The following week at East Stroudsburg, West Chester held off the Warriors 35-31. The Golden Rams' offense was outplayed by the hosts, but 14 points off turnovers, including a pick-six by John O'Donnell led to the win. The next week was a triple overtime, marathon loss to visiting C.W. Post, 39-37.
West Chester was then set to host Shippensburg on a Thursday night, nationally televised game. What looked to be a marquee matchup prior to the season - West Chester had been to the playoffs in five of the previous six seasons while Shippensburg won the PSAC and made a trip to the NCAA's in 2009 - had to leave the schedulers scratching their heads since both teams entered just 1-4. To add to West Chester's concern of three close losses, the Golden Rams would be without starting quarterback Mike Mattei. Starting in his place would be redshirt freshman Sean McCartney who had thrown a total of six collegiate passes in mop up duty at Delaware. It turned out to be another close game for West Chester, as it went to two overtimes, but the Golden Rams came out on top, 44-43. In his first career start, McCartney went 27 of 49 for 444 yards and five touchdowns. Dan DePalma (7 catches, 97 yards, 1 TD), Jackson Fagan (6 catches, 48 yards), Tim Keyser (4 catches, 127 yards, 2 TD's), and LaRonn Lee (4 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD) all had big games. But it was Lucas Fickel who blocked the Raider's PAT in the second overtime that started the celebration.
But the Golden Rams didn't quite turn the corner on the season. They defeated Cheyney the following week, 48-34, but despite the win, they allowed more points to Cheyney in that single game than the previous seven meetings combined. The defense allowed 45 points in each of the next two contests - at Bloomsburg (which would later advance to the second round of the playoffs) and at Kutztown. An easy 45-14 win over Millersville, who was winless in the division, followed and then a 27-10 loss at Indiana brought the season to a close. At 4-7, it was the first losing season for West Chester under head coach Bill Zwaan.
Wide receiver Dan DePalma and defensive end Travis Ford-Bey were both named first team All-PSAC East. Running back Jackson Fagan, center Kyle O’Neil, nose guard Lucas Fickel and punter Chris Hill received second team honors.
Running back Jackson Fagan had 1,191 all-purpose yardsSaturday, May 9, 2020
Event News - High School All-Star Games Cancelled
Due to the Coronavirus/Covid-19 pandemic, all of the area high school all-star football games have been cancelled. Some of the incoming Golden Rams that were expected to play in contests this spring include:
- Trey Wells - PSFCA East/West All Star Game
- Marc Macione - Bucks-Montgomery All-Star Football
- Bill Martelon - Philadelphia City All-Star Football Game
- Oscar Uduma - Philadelphia City All-Star Football Game
- Oscar Uduma - Delaware County Hero Bowl
- Chasen Wint - Delaware County Hero Bowl
- Junior Duffault - Valor Bowl
- Sean Henry - Valor Bowl
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Player News - Chapman to Horrocks Academy
Rising sophomore Nick Chapman has been selected to The Academy portion of the Michael Horrocks Leadership Institute. The Academy, the newest program of the Horrocks Leadership Institute set to launch in the fall of 2020, requires an application and a multi-year commitment from West Chester student-athletes.
This past season, the redshirt freshman linebacker played in all eleven games, making 18 tackles and recovering a fumble. Chapman was also named a PSAC Scholar-Athlete for the 2018-2019 academic year.
This past season, the redshirt freshman linebacker played in all eleven games, making 18 tackles and recovering a fumble. Chapman was also named a PSAC Scholar-Athlete for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Linebacker Nick Chapman is a member of the Horrocks Leadership InstituteWest Chester Athletic Site - The Academy, Set To Launch in Fall 2020, Names Class Officers
Monday, May 4, 2020
Team News - West Chester All-Decade Team
West Chester Golden Rams Football recently released their All-Decade Team. Here's a look at their list and some of their accolades.
Sean McCartney - 2014 PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year; played 39 games; 8,873 passing yards, 85 passing TDs
Rondell White - 2013 AFCA All-American; 2012 and 2013 First Team All-PSAC East; 4,336 rushing yards, 7,668 all-purpose yards; 55 total TDs
Jarel Elder - 2017 PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year; played 47 games; 3,256 rushing yards, 5,907 all-purpose yards; 38 total TDs
Eddie Elliott - 2015 Second Team All-PSAC East; 1,109 yards rushing, 1,106 yards receiving; 16 total TDs
Tim Brown - 2014 and 2015 First Team All-PSAC East; 106 catches, 1,932 yards, 27 TD's in just 30 career games
Tyler Karpinski - 2016 and 2017 First Team All-PSAC East; 125 catches, 1,895 yards, 18 TD's receiving
Dan DePalma - 2010 First Team All-PSAC East; 50 catches for 962 yards and 9 TD's in 2010
Rasheem James - 2017 ECAC Rookie of the Year; 69 catches for 1,050 yards and 13 TD's in just 17 games with 2 years of eligibility left
Doug Gilbert - 2014, 2015 and 2016 First Team All-PSAC East; started 35 games; PSAC Scholar-Athlete and Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area
Trey Farmer - 2013 First Team All-PSAC East; 2012 Second Team All-PSAC East; BSN All-American; played 38 games; two-time Arthur Ashe Scholar Athlete Award recipient; Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area; Gene Upshaw Award Nominee
Derek Schatz - 2013 and 2014 First Team All-PSAC East; played 39 games; Gene Upshaw Award Nominee
Tyler Drob - 2015, 2016 and 2018 First Team All-PSAC East; played 44 games; Don Hansen Football Gazette First Team All-American; Gene Upshaw Award Finalist
James Colivas - 2014 First Team All-PSAC East; played 35 games
Brendan Paulison - Five-time All-PSAC East including kicker and punter in 2016; fourth best punting average (44.1 yards per punt) in all of Division II in 2018; Second Team CCA All-American
Shawn Leo - 2013 Second Team All-PSAC East; holds numerous West Chester kicking records; Fred Mitchell Award finalist
Brandon Monk - 2014 and 2015 First Team All-PSAC East; returned two kickoffs for TD's and averaged 27 yard per return; averaged 12.5 yards per punt return including an 80-yard touchdown
Shaq Ryder - 2018 First Team All-PSAC East; started all 24 games he played; 85 tackles, 7.5 sacks
Josh Ganzelli - 2015 and 2016 First Team All-PSAC East; played 48 games; 132 tackles; 21.0 tackles for loss
Andrew Cohen - 2015 PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year; 2014 and 2015 First Team All-PSAC East; Cliff Harris Award Finalist; Gene Upshaw Award Finalist; Harlon Hill Nominee; consensus All-American; Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area; held PSAC career sack record with 33.5
Ch'aim Smith - 2019 First Team All-PSAC East; played in 46 games; started 35 games; First Team AFCA All-American; Cliff Harris Award Finalist
George Shipp - played 41 games; started 28 games; 15.0 sacks
Diquan Gilbert - 2018 First Team All-PSAC East; 2017 Second Team All-PSAC East; played in 24 games; started 21 games; 21.5 sacks
Ronell Williams - 2015, 2016 and 2018 First Team All-PSAC East; played in 47 games; started 40 games; 376 tackles; multiple All-American awards
Tyler Morrisey - 2017 and 2018 PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year; 2017 and 2018 First Team All-PSAC East; 33 games played; 239 tackles; 27.0 tackles for loss; Cliff Harris Award Finalist; multiple All-American awards
Shaq James - 2018 First Team All-PSAC East; 2017 Second Team All-PSAC East; played in 45 games; started 39 games; 5 interceptions; 2 TD's
Jarey Elder - 2019 PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year; 2018 and 2019 First Team All-PSAC East; Cliff Harris Award nominee; multiple All-American awards; 14 interceptions; 31 passes defended
Kevin Malone - 2015 and 2016 First Team All-PSAC East; played in 39 games; started 29 games; 91 tackles; 6 interceptions
Nydair Rouse - 2016 First Team All-PSAC East; played in 45 games; started 36 games; 78 tackles; 9.5 tackles for loss; 8 interceptions; 4 touchdowns
Al-Hajj Shabazz - 2013 and 2014 First Team All-PSAC East; played in 48 games; 152 tackles; 10 interceptions; 33 passes defended; 3 touchdowns; Cliff Harris Award finalist
Tomorrow we will begin to reveal our ALL DECADE TEAM! pic.twitter.com/BVXSk0MMGc
— West Chester Golden Rams Football (@WCUGoldenRamsFB) April 12, 2020
Pos |
Name |
Years |
QB |
2009-2014 | |
RB |
2010-2013 | |
RB |
2014-2017 | |
AP |
2012-2015 | |
TE |
2011-2014 | |
WR |
2014-2017 | |
WR |
2008-2010 | |
WR |
2017-2018 | |
LT |
2013-2016 | |
LG |
2010-2013 | |
C |
2011-2014 | |
RG |
2014-2018 | |
LG |
2011-2014 | |
P |
2015-2018 | |
K |
2010-2013 | |
RET |
2012-2015 | |
DT |
2014,2018 | |
DT |
2014-2017 | |
DT |
2012-2015 | |
DE |
2015-2019 | |
DE |
2014-2017 | |
DE |
2017-2018 | |
LB |
2011-2014 | |
LB |
2015-2018 | |
CB |
2015-2018 | |
FS |
2016-2019 | |
SS |
2013-2016 | |
DB |
2015-2018 | |
CB |
2011-2014 |
Sean McCartney - 2014 PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year; played 39 games; 8,873 passing yards, 85 passing TDs
Rondell White - 2013 AFCA All-American; 2012 and 2013 First Team All-PSAC East; 4,336 rushing yards, 7,668 all-purpose yards; 55 total TDs
Jarel Elder - 2017 PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year; played 47 games; 3,256 rushing yards, 5,907 all-purpose yards; 38 total TDs
Eddie Elliott - 2015 Second Team All-PSAC East; 1,109 yards rushing, 1,106 yards receiving; 16 total TDs
Tim Brown - 2014 and 2015 First Team All-PSAC East; 106 catches, 1,932 yards, 27 TD's in just 30 career games
Tyler Karpinski - 2016 and 2017 First Team All-PSAC East; 125 catches, 1,895 yards, 18 TD's receiving
Dan DePalma - 2010 First Team All-PSAC East; 50 catches for 962 yards and 9 TD's in 2010
Rasheem James - 2017 ECAC Rookie of the Year; 69 catches for 1,050 yards and 13 TD's in just 17 games with 2 years of eligibility left
Doug Gilbert - 2014, 2015 and 2016 First Team All-PSAC East; started 35 games; PSAC Scholar-Athlete and Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area
Trey Farmer - 2013 First Team All-PSAC East; 2012 Second Team All-PSAC East; BSN All-American; played 38 games; two-time Arthur Ashe Scholar Athlete Award recipient; Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area; Gene Upshaw Award Nominee
Derek Schatz - 2013 and 2014 First Team All-PSAC East; played 39 games; Gene Upshaw Award Nominee
Tyler Drob - 2015, 2016 and 2018 First Team All-PSAC East; played 44 games; Don Hansen Football Gazette First Team All-American; Gene Upshaw Award Finalist
James Colivas - 2014 First Team All-PSAC East; played 35 games
Brendan Paulison - Five-time All-PSAC East including kicker and punter in 2016; fourth best punting average (44.1 yards per punt) in all of Division II in 2018; Second Team CCA All-American
Shawn Leo - 2013 Second Team All-PSAC East; holds numerous West Chester kicking records; Fred Mitchell Award finalist
Brandon Monk - 2014 and 2015 First Team All-PSAC East; returned two kickoffs for TD's and averaged 27 yard per return; averaged 12.5 yards per punt return including an 80-yard touchdown
Shaq Ryder - 2018 First Team All-PSAC East; started all 24 games he played; 85 tackles, 7.5 sacks
Josh Ganzelli - 2015 and 2016 First Team All-PSAC East; played 48 games; 132 tackles; 21.0 tackles for loss
Andrew Cohen - 2015 PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year; 2014 and 2015 First Team All-PSAC East; Cliff Harris Award Finalist; Gene Upshaw Award Finalist; Harlon Hill Nominee; consensus All-American; Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area; held PSAC career sack record with 33.5
Ch'aim Smith - 2019 First Team All-PSAC East; played in 46 games; started 35 games; First Team AFCA All-American; Cliff Harris Award Finalist
George Shipp - played 41 games; started 28 games; 15.0 sacks
Diquan Gilbert - 2018 First Team All-PSAC East; 2017 Second Team All-PSAC East; played in 24 games; started 21 games; 21.5 sacks
Ronell Williams - 2015, 2016 and 2018 First Team All-PSAC East; played in 47 games; started 40 games; 376 tackles; multiple All-American awards
Tyler Morrisey - 2017 and 2018 PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year; 2017 and 2018 First Team All-PSAC East; 33 games played; 239 tackles; 27.0 tackles for loss; Cliff Harris Award Finalist; multiple All-American awards
Shaq James - 2018 First Team All-PSAC East; 2017 Second Team All-PSAC East; played in 45 games; started 39 games; 5 interceptions; 2 TD's
Jarey Elder - 2019 PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year; 2018 and 2019 First Team All-PSAC East; Cliff Harris Award nominee; multiple All-American awards; 14 interceptions; 31 passes defended
Kevin Malone - 2015 and 2016 First Team All-PSAC East; played in 39 games; started 29 games; 91 tackles; 6 interceptions
Nydair Rouse - 2016 First Team All-PSAC East; played in 45 games; started 36 games; 78 tackles; 9.5 tackles for loss; 8 interceptions; 4 touchdowns
Al-Hajj Shabazz - 2013 and 2014 First Team All-PSAC East; played in 48 games; 152 tackles; 10 interceptions; 33 passes defended; 3 touchdowns; Cliff Harris Award finalist
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