Game Preview - East Stroudsburg

The Golden Rams (4-2, 2-1) are hosting the East Stroudsburg Warriors (4-2, 2-1). Kickoff is scheduled for noon on Saturday.

Series History:
West Chester leads the overall series 62-22 and Golden Ram head coach Bill Zwaan is 15-3 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 and final 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.

Former Warrior quarterback Jimmy Terwilliger (11-8) is in his second full season as head coach at his alma mater.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
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	52-24
2014	Away	Win	35-24	2019	Home	Win	28-21

Last Meeting:

10/26/2019 West Chester 28 - East Stroudsburg 21

The Golden Rams overcame a 10-0 deficit and staved off a late threat to defeat visiting East Stroudsburg by a score of 28-21 on homecoming. West Chester's first points came via a pick-six in a game that was domiated by the defenses. The two teams combined for 15 punts, 5 turnovers and only 27 first downs. Tight end Dan Neuhaus had four catches for 72 yards and a touchdown while running backs Ja'Den McKenzie and Phil Poquie combined for only 39 yards on the ground. Defensively, Trael Seegers had an interception which led to a touchdown and Jackson Taylor made six tackles. East Stroudsburg's final offensive play was an incomplete pass on fourth and four from the West Chester 17 with nine seconds left.

Scouting the Opponent:

This isn't the East Stroudsburg of old that would pass the ball to further set up the passing game. This season, the offense is led by redshirt senior and reigning PSAC East Offenive Athlete of the Week running back Gunner Anglovich (120 carries for 643 yards and seven TD's) who leads the PSAC in rushing yards and touchdowns. In fact the Warriors as a team are second in the PSAC in rushing yards. So when fifth-year senior and opening day starting quarterback Jake Cirillo (54 of 105, 633 yards, 4 TD's 2 int's) got hurt during their second game of the season at Slippery Rock, the Warriors were quite comfortable turning to redshirt junior Matt DeLaurentis (40 of 66, 516 yards, 6 TD's). After missing two full games, Cirillo has returned to the starting role for the past two games.

When East Stroudsburg does throw, they look to senior wide receiver Rece Bender (21 catches, 360 yards, 3 TD's) and redshirt senior wide receiver Clifford Brinkley (14 catches, 205 yards, 1 TD). Anglovich (19 catches, 154 yards) also plays a big part in the passing game.

On special teams, Bender was All-PSAC East as a return specialist and had a kickoff return for touchdown at Lock Haven this season. Kicker Devin Bartholomew (4 of 6 on FG's, 19 of 19 on PAT's) has a long field goal of 37 yards. Freshman Nate Reed does the punting (29 punts, 39.3 avg, 11 inside the 20, 4 over 50 yards) as well as kickoffs (13 touchbacks in 29 kickoffs).

Defensively, end Deshawn McCarthy (25 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 5 QBH) is the reigning PSAC East Defenive Athlete of the Week and leads the nation in sacks. At the other end is Andre Eldridge (25 tackles, 4.5 sacks) who was All-PSAC East in 2019. As a team, the Warriors have 25 sacks which isn't far behind West Chester's nation-leading pace of 29. Linebacker Paul Carreras (40 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss) is East Stroudsburg's leading tackler and free safety Tyler Watson (34 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception, 5 pass breakups) wreaks havoc in the secondary.

Analysis:

Looking at West Chester's remaining schedule, it's unreasonable to project them defeating the likes of #15 Shepherd, #25 Kutztown, or #26 Indiana. By the same token, head coach Bill Zwaan has never lost to Lock Haven. So if those games play out as expected, Saturday's matchup against East Stroudsburg will determine if the Golden Rams finish 2021 with a winning record. That's what's on the line.

Massey Ratings cites a three-point West Chester victory.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video  

PSAC Site - PSAC Football Notes, Week 7

East Stroudsburg Athletic Site - Preview: ESU vs. West Chester

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