Game Preview - East Stroudsburg

The Golden Rams (3-3, 1-2) head to the Poconos to take on the East Stroudsburg Warriors (2-4, 1-2) in a pivotal matchup for the Golden Rams season. Kickoff for East Stroudsburg's homecoming is scheduled for 2:00 on Saturday.

Series History:
West Chester leads the overall series 63-22 and Golden Ram head coach Bill Zwaan is 16-3 against the Warriors, including the last eight meetings. In 2004, 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 two schools met again that season 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 (14-16) is in his third full season as head coach at his alma mater.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
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
2015	Home	Win	41-27	2021	Home	Win	42-28

Last Meeting:

10/16/2021 West Chester 42 - East Stroudsburg 28

The Golden Rams dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball as West Chester outgained East Stroudsburg on the ground to the tune of 326 to 88. Both Ja'Den McKenzie (135 yards, 1 TD) and Phil Poquie (113 yards, 2 TD's) eclipsed the 100-yard mark and got into the end zone. Quarterback Shane Dooley accounted for three scores - 2 passing, 1 rushing - and was only sacked once. Linebcker Jackson Taylor led the Golden Ram defense with 12 tackles and Obi Anyatonwu notched four tackles and two pass breakups. West Chester maintained a 17 minute advantage in time of possession.

Scouting the Opponent:

Unlike many of West Chester's recent opponents and the Golden Rams themselves, the Warriors return a large majority of their team from last season including most of the offensive line. Key members of that unit are All-PSAC East left tackle Anthony Capitini and 6'8 410lb right tackle Guy Gilyard.

Fifth year quarterback Jake Cirillo (59 of 109, 737 yards, 7 TD's, 1 int) started the first three games of the season, but has since missed time due to an injury. Redshirt senior and last year's starter Matt Delaurentis (41 of 74, 384 yards, 3 TD's, 2 int) has started since. But last week at Millersville, Delaurentis struggled and the Warriors turned to redshirt freshman Sean McTaggart (8 of 17, 103 yards), but ultimatley had the most success with junior Aaron Tobias (9 of 15, 182 yards, 2 TD's 1 int). Which quaterback starts, plays or finishes this game is completely unknown.

Top targets in the passing game are Ezequiel Lopez (22 catches, 293 yards, 4 TD's), John Siggins (18 catches, 261 yards, 3 TD's) and freshman tight end Beau Heyser (10 catches, 184 yards, 2 TD's), but 16 different players have caught passes for the Warriors.

At running back, redshirt senior Devante Robinson (39 carries, 161 yards, 2 TD's, 14 catches, 79 yards) is back after missing last season due to an injury and fifth year player Gunner Anglovich (36 carries, 141 yards, 11 catches, 128 yards, 1 TD) was an All-PSAC East performer last year.

The defense is led by AFCA first team All-American defensive end Deshawn McCarthy (15 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles). Tackle Dasean Dixon (15 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss) is also a factor on the line. Linebackers Sergei Felizor (49 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss) and Duquense transfer Jahan Worth (33 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss) are the team's top tacklers.

The secondary is led by All-PSAC East free safety Tyler Watson (30 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 2 int), cornerback Shavar Hussett (23 tackles, 4 pass breakups) and 5'8 cornerback Noah Hambrick (18 tackles, 4 pass breakups).

All-PSAC East kicker Devin Batholomew is perfect on 17 PAT's and is 12 of 15 on field goals with a long of 50 yards. Bloomsburg transfer punter Jaco Sattamini has dropped 10 of his 27 punts inside the opponent 20, has boomed five punts over 50 yards, but has had one blocked.

Analysis:

Good luck figuring out the Warriors. This is a team that fell to Millersville (2-4) and whose only wins have come against two teams that are a combined 1-11 (Lock Haven 1-5 and Seton Hill 0-6). But on the other hand, it took now #15 IUP a field goal with no time left to nip the Warriors 38-35, and Kutztown (4-2) scored a touchdown in the final two minutes to steal a win in East Stroudsburg. So it's a contest between which East Stroudsburg team shows up versus which West Chester team shows up.

Similar to last season, this game is pivotal to the Golden Rams (3-3) season. Massey gives high probability to West Chester losses against Shepherd and at Kutztown and to wins against Lock Haven and at Clarion. If that holds true, the outcome on Saturday will determine if West Chester finishes 6-5 or 5-6.

Massey Ratings is expecting a one-point West Chester win and Versus Sports simulates a similar 23-21 West Chester victory.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video  

PSAC Site - PSAC Football Notes, Week 7

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