Golden Ram Football Club: Game Preview

The Bill Zwaan era will come to close on Saturday when the Golden Rams (5-5) host the Clarion Golden Eagles (2-8) at John A. Farrell Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon. West Chester will also celebrate Senior Day when they honor senior members of the football team, cheerleading squad and the Incomparable Golden Ram Marching Band.

Series History:
West Chester leads the overall series with the Golden Eagles 21-3 and Zwaan is a perfect 9-0 against them. Former Kutztown head coach Raymond Monica is in his second season with Clarion and holds a record of 5-16 . From 2006 to 2012, Monica accumulated a 45-34 record at Kutztown, including playing into the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2010 and 2011. Monica then spent five seasons as head coach of Arkansas Tech where he went 31-26.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
2002	Away	Loss	34-28	2007	Home	Win	49-21
2003	Home	Win	35-17	2012	Away	Win	33-12
2004	Away	Win	20-17	2013	Home	Win	41-14
2005	Home	Win	43-14	2016	Away	Win	37-10
2006	Away	Win	49-21	2022	Away	Win	36-27

Last Meeting:

11/13/2022 West Chester 36 - Clarion 27

With the Golden Rams leading 30-27 with three seconds left in the game, Sterlen Barr, Jr. (6 TKL) blocked Clarion's potential game-tying field goal which was returned for a touchdown to give West Chester a 36-27 victory. While the West Chester defense allowed several big plays in the game, they did hold the Golden Eagles to just 1 of 14 on third down.

For West Chester, kicker Sean Henry accounted for 12 points after he converted all three field goal attempts (21, 25, 29) and all three PAT's. Quarterback Cooper Jordan (13 of 19, 237 yards, 2 TD's, 12 carries, 76 yards) had a dual threat field day with Rahiem Bowens (3 catches, 63 yards, 1 TD) being the biggest beneficiary.

Scouting the Opponent:

The Golden Eagles' best player is two-time All-PSAC West running back Khalil Owens (41 carries, 180 yards, 1 TD, 12 catches, 126 yards). Unfortunately, he hasn't played since he got injured in week three against Lock Haven, and Clarion has used a committee approach to replace his production. Their leading rushers this season are quarterback Anthony Guercio (87 carries, 416 yards, 4 TD's), quarterback Zach Benedek (52 carries, 292 yards, 2 TD's) and wide receiver Corahn Alleyne (55 carries, 244 yards, 2 TD's). Freshman running back Khalon Simmons (57 carries, 225 yards, 2 TD's) is working his way into the mix. Guercio (56 of 89, 661 yards, 7 TD's, 4 ints) has played quarterback throughout the season, while Benedek (18 of 44, 202 yards, 1 TD) hasn't played since the middle of October. Alexander (37 of 66, 396 yards, 2 TD's, 4 ints) played the first two weeks and again last week. So Clarion's offense is struggling in the passing game. Still, Alleyne (26 catches, 382 yards, 3 TD's) is having a nice season receiving, as are Andy Martin (14 catches, 160 yards, 1 TD) and Zack Kindel (12 catches, 189 yards, 1 TD).

Defensively, linebackers Griffin Buzzell (67 TKL, 8.0 TFL) and Kareem Hamdan (66 TKL, 2 QBH) lead the way. Defenive ends Jake Tarburton (38 TKL, 5.0 sacks) and Alex Huzicka (26 TKL, 6 QBH) can wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Freshman cornerback Johnny Hutton (24 TKL, 3 int, 7 PBU) and defensive back Che Trevena (44 TKL, 5 PBU) patrol the secondary.

Freshman kicker Andrew Kurtas (25 of 26 PAT, 6 of 10 FG) has a long field goal of 34 yards.

Analysis:

Despite the score, last year's Clarion game was very close and this year may be no different. Expect Clarion to run the ball. A lot. Partially because their passing game is so poor, but also because West Chester's rushing defense is second to last in the conference. The Golden Rams offense should have success in the passing game provided that the line gives the quarterback time (WCU surrenders the second most sacks in the PSAC) and then the QB can keep the ball out of the Golden Eagles hands (WCU is 14th out of 16 in the PSAC in interceptions thrown).

There's going to be a lot of emotions between senior day and Zwaan's retirement, but at the end of the day, there's a football game to be played. And won.

Massey Ratings is projecting a 34-17 WCU win and Versus Sports simulates a closer 33-25 Golden Ram victory.