Teams News - 2016 Season Review - Special Teams

Kick and Punt Returns

Junior Anthony Brown was the primary return man for West Chester. He averaged nine yards per attempt of his 22 punt returns which was good for fifth in the PSAC, but as a team, the Golden Rams were only 13th in the conference. Brown also returned 12 kickoffs for an average of 21.6 yards while Jarel Elder brought back nine kickoffs for an average of 21.8 yards. As a team, West Chester was in the middle of the PSAC in kickoff returns.

Anthony Brown was the primary punt and kick returner (Photo R&R Photography)

Kick Scoring

Brendan Paulison handled almost all of the kick scoring opportunities and led the Golden Rams in scoring with 70 points. He converted 46 of his 51 PAT attempts and earned second team All-PSAC East honors for his efforts. Paulison was perfect on his six field goal attempts under 30 yards, but was only 2 of 9 from beyond that point with a long of 42 yards against Shippensburg. Connor Foley converted his only PAT attempt and Blaise Toroni converted his only PAT attempt and a 25-yard field goal against Cheyney.

Paulison led West Chester with 70 points this season (Photo Ron Hockman)

Reserve defensive lineman Shane Griffin handled all of the long snapping duties while Tyler Karpinski was the primary holder.

Griffin served as long snapper (Photo Ron Hockman)

Karpinski's good hands served well as holder (Photo Ron Hockman)

Punts and Coverage

West Chester had the fourth fewest punts in the conference with 43, and Brendan Paulison booted every one of them. While he ranked only ninth in the PSAC with a 37.3 yard average, only ten of those punts were returned for a 9.1 yard average, so the Golden Rams were fourth in the conference with a 35.2 net yards per punt. Paulison forced 12 fair catches and pinned 14 inside the opponents’ 20 yard line. His longest punt of the season was 55 yards and the sophomore was named second team All-PSAC East.

Paulison also handled the punting chores (Photo Ron Hockman)

Kickoffs and Coverage

Kickoff coverage was an improved area for the Golden Rams this season as they finished sixth in the conference in net average. Paulison handled a majority of the kickoffs, and booted 15 of his 56 for touchbacks. Classmate Connor Foley averaged over 59 yards on his 12 kickoffs.

Paulison banged 15 touchbacks (Photo Ron Hockman)

Foley kicked off a dozen times (Photo Ron Hockman)

Alumni News - Steelers Activate Shabazz

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed former Golden Ram cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz from their practice squad to their active roster. Unlike earlier this season when he wore #37, this time his jersey will don #20.

Steelers.com - Maxey and Shabazz promoted to active roster

PennLive.com - Pittsburgh Steelers activate CB Al-Hajj Shabazz, again

PennLive.com - Antonio Brown wears jingle bells to Pittsburgh Steelers practice

Alumni News - Shabazz Back to Steelers Practice Squad

The Pittsburgh Steelers have re-signed former Golden Ram cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz to their practice squad. The signing comes just three days after he was released by the Houston Texans. If you're having a hard time keeping up with Hajj's transactions and teams, it's understandable, and you can find them all here.

We have signed CB Al-Hajj Shabazz to our practice squad, and released DB Brandon Dixon from our practice squad.

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 20, 2016

All22 - Steelers sign CB Al-Hajj Shabazz to practice squad, release Brandon Dixon

Team News - Best and Most Memorable of 2016

Just a reminder, this has nothing to do with any awards that will be presented at the team banquet on January 28.

The categories are:

• Best offensive performance by the Golden Rams - Edinboro.
  
  At halftime, the Golden Rams had 191 yards of offense, which is a respectable amount after 30 minutes of play. But three three-and-outs and three interceptions meant West Chester had only seven points on the scoreboard. The second half was a frantic comeback by the offense which led to two overtime periods being played. In accounting for 51 points, the offense rushed for 199 yards, with Jarel Elder accounting for 191 of them, and Andrew Derr threw the ball 70 times for 559 yards. That's a total of 758 yards, 39 first downs and 51 points. Unfortunately, it was three point shy of the Fighting Scots.
  


• Best offensive performance by an individual Golden Ram - Tyler Karpinski at Edinboro.
  
  Okay, it seems obvious that the most productive individual offensive performance would come in the most productive offensive game for the team, but get this - Derr targeted Karpinski a total of nine times in the game and none of those came in the third quarter while Karpinski dealt with a rib injury. Of those nine targets, he made nine catches for 178 yards. While only one was for a touchdown, the other eight receptions all resulted in first downs.
  


• Best offensive performance by an opposing team - Edinboro.
  
  Yes, the game went to two overtimes and yes, other opponents had more yards, but no opponent's offense was more efficient than Edinboro. While the Fighting Scots were held to just 60 yards on the ground, a paltry 39% pass completion rate, and converted only 3 of 18 (16%) third downs, Edinboro was perfect on their seven trips into the red zone. Granted, three of those trips into the red zone were as a result of returns - one interception, one punt and one kickoff - and two happened in the short-field overtime, but the Fighting Scots converted each trip into points, including five touchdowns, which was key to their victory.


• Best offensive performance by an opposing individual - Jake Sisson - Edinboro.
  
  For the second year in a row, the Golden Rams got abused by a quarterback in the northwest corner of the state. While Sisson completed only 40% of his pass attempts, his 22 completions went for 289 yards and six touchdowns. On Edinboro's possession in the first overtime, he took only two pass plays to get the Fighting Scots into the end zone. In the second overtime, with West Chester leading 51-48, Edinboro was facing a fourth and one from the West Chester 16. Rather than get the first down and extend the contest, he tossed the game-winning touchdown into the back of the end zone. Sisson was named PSAC West Co-Offensive Player of the Week for the game.


• Best defensive performance by the Golden Rams - Bloomsburg.
  
  Although Cheyney was held to just 151 total yards and Millersville was held to zero points, those two opponents finished with a combined record of 3-19. So for the second consecutive year, the team defensive performance goes to the game against Bloomsburg. The Husky offense that averaged 170 yards rushing per game in 2016 was held to just 100 yards in this game. Of Bloomsburg's 246 yards of total offense, 157 of those came on their final two possessions after the Golden Rams were up 27-0 and the reserves were getting an opportunity for significant playing time. Nine of Bloomsburg's 59 offensive plays resulted in a loss and half of the Husky possessions ended in a three-and-out.
  


• Best defensive performance by an individual Golden Ram - Steven Denby vs Shippensburg.
  
  In West Chester's 31-15 win over the Raiders, Denby logged seven solo tackles and four assists for 11 total tackles. Included was an eight-yard sack and another tackle for a loss of four yards. Denby was named PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week for the game.


• Best defensive performance by an opposing team - Kutztown.
  
  The Golden Bears held West Chester to a season low 14 points in the game. The Golden Rams were limited to 111 yards rushing and 248 yards passing. Although West Chester only punted four times, Kutztown also snagged three interceptions. Ten of West Chester's 69 plays ended in a loss.


• Best defensive performance by an opposing individual - DeVon Groves - Edinboro.
  
  The junior free safety registered six solo tackles and assisted on another seven for 13 total tackles in the game. He assisted on a tackle for loss and had a pass breakup in the second quarter. But he made two plays that significantly impacted the game. Late in the first half, West Chester had a first down at the Edinboro 11-yard line. Groves intercepted a pass at the goal line and returned it 69 yards setting up a field goal attempt by the Fighting Scots. Then with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter, with the score tied at 41, Groves picked off his second pass of the game at the West Chester 44 thwarting the Golden Rams scoring drive.


• Most memorable game - Edinboro.
  
  Sure Edinboro was 2-0, but their two wins came against St Joseph's which finished 5-6 and Lock Haven which finished 4-7. And the Fighting Scots were 0-11 just last season. So Golden Ram fans were bewildered when trailing 24-7 at halftime. West Chester nibbled back in the third quarter to close the score to 24-14. But that's when the fireworks started. After a Brendan Paulison field goal early in the fourth quarter, the two teams traded touchdowns, then field goals, then touchdowns again to make the score 41-34 in favor of Edinboro. An onsides kick was recovered by West Chester and the Golden Rams cashed in to tie the game at 41. Although the West Chester defense forced a quick three-and-out, the Golden Rams threw their fourth interception of the game, however Ted Patton intercepted the ball right back. West Chester would drive the field, but a potential game-winning field goal sailed wide right. The game would go to two overtime periods, with Edinboro ending the contest on a game-winning touchdown pass on fourth down.


• Most memorable single offensive play - Matt Sharp touchdown catch versus Cheyney.
  
  It wasn't at a critical point in a game, or even a critical game for that matter. But when the senior defensive end converted to tight end from the United Kingdom leaked into the back left corner of the end zone and hauled in a pass from Alec Werner, it was one of the most rewarding moments this season. Sharpe's only collegiate reception was a touchdown.


• Most memorable single defensive play - Nydair Rouse pick six at Bentley.
  
  The Golden Ram offense was scuffling, and West Chester trailed 24-14 entering the fourth quarter. Shannon Mayer caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Derr and Brendan Paulison converted a 29-yard field goal to tie the game at 24 with eight minutes left in the game. The question was whether the comeback momentum would continue or become exhausting. But with four minutes left and the Falcons with the ball on their own 34, defensive end Josh Ganzelli batted a ball that Rouse plucked out of the air and raced into the end zone for the game-winning score.
  
  
• Most memorable single special teams play - Brendan Paulison onside kick at Edinboro.
  
  The Golden Rams were in the midst of a massive comeback, having closed a 24-7 halftime deficit to a 41-34 gap. But with less than four minutes left, would there be enough time to tie the game? On the ensuing kickoff, Paulison booted the ball hard off one of the Edinboro front line players. The ball ricocheted right back to Paulison who landed on it at the West Chester 37-yard line, giving the Golden Rams' offense the ball and the game tying touchdown drive.


• Most frustrating moment - Missed field goal at Edinboro.
  
  The Golden Rams fought back from a 17-point halftime deficit to a team that finished winless the previous season, only to tie the game with less than two minutes to play. Momentum continued when the defense forced a three-and-out, waned when Edinboro picked off a pass, when swelled again when Ted Patton intercepted the ball back, giving West Chester a possession at their own 42-yard line with 40 seconds left to play. Andrew Derr completed two passes to Tyler Karpinski and one to Lex Rosario to get down to the Edinboro 13 with seconds left. But Brendan Paulison's game winning, 30-yard field goal slipped wide right with three seconds left sending the game into overtime where the Fighting Scots pulled out the victory.


• Best coaching decision - Winning last six games of the season.
  
  On the second day of October, the Golden Rams record stood at 2-3. With the way the teams in the region shaped up, the chances for an NCAA playoff bid was extremely remote. And since the team just fell to division rival Kutztown, any chance for a PSAC East championship would require help. And tough games were on the horizon - a home game against 4-1 Shippensburg and road games to division rivals Bloomsburg and East Stroudsburg. But despite the tough road ahead and little possibility to reach the postseason, the coaches kept the team motivated and focused, winning the last six games by an average score of 39-10. It's the longest winning streak since 1999 when Rick Daniel's squad started 0-3 and finished 7-3.


• Worst coaching decision - Field goal attempts at Kutztown.
  
  Points were hard to come by at Kutztown, and the Golden Bears led 20-14 midway through the third quarter. The West Chester offense moved down to the Kutztown 19, but a holding call and a sack pushed the Golden Rams back. A nine-yard pass play was enough to offset the losses, so the Golden Rams were faced with a fourth-and-nineteen from the Kutztown 28. But a 45-yard field goal attempt into a noticeable wind fell short. Early in the fourth quarter, on West Chester's next possession, still needing six points to tie the game, another 45-yard attempt for three points sailed wide right.


• Unsung offensive Golden Ram - Eerin Young
  
  He's not the top one or two ball carriers, nor is he the first or second target for the quarterback, but Young is third in both of those categories. The Rhode Island transfer from Imhotep has the versatility to help the West Chester offense in multiple ways. This past season, he picked up 333 yards on the ground and pulled in 283 yards on 28 catches. He also returned four kickoff returns for 80 yards and didn't fumble in just over a hundred touches this season.


• Unsung defensive Golden Ram - Kevin Duggan
  
  Yes, Duggan started every game this season at linebacker, and yes he finished second on the team in tackles with 53. But his unassuming personality and simply steady play every game causes him to get lost in the background when in fact he's in the center of the Golden Ram defense. Duggan was named second team All-PSAC East.


• Most impactful newcomer - Steven Denby
  
  Granted Denby was on the roster in 2015, but he did not receive any playing time - not one play. This year, he got on the field for each of the first three games, but registered a total of two tackles during that time. But since captain Ralph Reeves got injured in that third game at Edinboro, Denby saw his playing time increase for the next two contests and then moved into a starting role for the final six games. He finished fourth on the team with 44 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss. Denby had 11 tackles in the win over Shippensburg and was recognized as the PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week.


• Special Teams MVP - Brendan Paulison
  
  For the second consecutive season, the sophomore led West Chester in scoring, this year with 70 points. Paulison was 8 of 15 on field goals, with a career-long 42 against Shippensburg. His 46 PAT's came on 51 attempts. Paulison also served as the punter, averaging almost over 37 yards per punt with 14 inside the opponent 20 yard line. He also kicked off 56 times this season including 15 touchbacks. Paulison was named first team All-PSAC East as a kicker and second team as a punter.


• Offensive MVP - Doug Gilbert
  
  No individual statistics here, but the captain was a three-year starter at left tackle, earning first team all league honors in all three of those years. The Golden Rams ran for almost 2,200 yards and threw for over 3,000 yards this season. West Chester finished fourth in the PSAC in fewest sacks allowed with 16.


• Defensive MVP - Ch'aim Smith
  
  In 2015, Smith played in all 11 games, but totaled just four tackles. This past season, the sophomore started all 11 games and led the team in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks. He finished 2016 with 57 total tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, and 6.0 sacks. Smith was also credited with two pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and two blocked kicks.

See you at the banquet on January 28 when the real team awards will be presented.

Alumni News - Texans Release Shabazz

The Houston Texans have released former Golden Ram cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz. They did so to make room on the roster for outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett who was coming off injured reserve. Shabazz's stay with the Texans was shortlived as he just signed with Houston on December 5.

The Chron - Texans activate Brennan Scarlett, cut Al-Hajj Shabazz

Alumni News - Rondell White Resigns with Les Dauphins de Nice

Former Golden Ram all-purpose back Rondell White has resigned with Les Dauphins de Nice of the Fédération Française de Football Américain. Last season, White led Nice to the French championship game while leading that league in rushing. He will rejoin his college team mate, Eddie Elliott who signed with the Dauphins earlier this fall.

American Football International - French Rushing Champion Returns To Nice Dauphins

Player News - Gilbert Receives Brooks Irvine Award

West Chester left tackle Doug Gilbert (Lenape) has received the 2016 Brooks Irvine Memorial Football Club of South Jersey NCAA Division II Player of the Year Award.

Gilbert is a three-time first team All-PSAC East selection and after last season was named first team CCA All-Super Region 1, first team All-ECAC, second team Dan Hansen Football Gazette Super Region 1 and second team USA College Football All-American. He was also named a PSAC Scholar-Athlete for the 2015-2016 academic year. Gilbert was named to the CCA All-Super Region 1 second team after this season and to the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football team. Prior to this season, he was named second team preseason All-Division II by Lindy’s Sports, second team D2Football.com Preseason All-American, and Preseason All-American by FootballGamePlan.com. Gilbert was also nominated for the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® and recently participated in the National Bowl in Daytona Beach, FL.

The Phillips R. Brooks Memorial Football Club was formed in 1945 to perpetuate the memory of Camden High School Athletic Director Phillips R. Brooks. Upon the passing of Collingswood High School Athletic Director Howard T. Irvine, the name of the organization was changed to to the Brooks-Irvine Memorial Football Club of South Jersey. Its purpose is to support the scholastic athletes of South Jersey, their coaches, high schools, athletic directors, cheerleaders and all those who supported scholastic football.

Previous Golden Rams to win the award were right tackle Ryan Devlin (Kingsway) in 2007 and running back Mike Eckmeyer (Triton) in 2003.

Doug Gilbert (Photo R&R Photography)

pilly.com - Just like dad, S.J. coach McAneney is honored with award

Alumni News - Former Lineman Blair Gower Dies

Blair Gower

Former Golden Ram offensive lineman Blair Gower passed away on December 9. Gower attended East Stroudsburg University for two years prior to transferring to West Chester University. In 2011, he appeared in nine games prior to becoming a starter in 2012 when he earned second team All-PSAC East honors. After graduating from West Chester in 2013, he became a teacher at Anthony Wayne Academy in Philadelphia. For the past two seasons, he also coached defensive line at his alma mater, Neshaminy High School. He also coached in the Bucks-Montco Lions All-Star Football Classic this past May. Gower was engaged to be married to Michelle Battista this coming July.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass at 11:00am Friday, December 16 at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 81 Swamp Rd., Newtown, PA 18940. Interment will be at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery in Langhorne. Visitations will be held 6:00pm to 8:00pm Thursday, December 15 at Dunn Givnish Life Celebration Homeand also from 10:00am to 11:00am Friday, December 16 at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Blair Gower Memorial Scholarship Fund, PFFCU, 901 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Blair Gower

Player News - Gilbert to Receive Another Honor

West Chester left tackle Doug Gilbert (Lenape) will be recognized as the Burlington County NCAA Division II College Player of the Year. The award will be presented by the Bill Gordon-George Masters Memorial Football Club of Burlington County at their 46th annual Awards Banquet to be held at Marco's Restaurant at Indian Spring Golf Club in Marlton, NJ on Thursday, December 15.

Gilbert is a three-time first team All-PSAC East selection and after last season was named first team CCA All-Super Region 1, first team All-ECAC, second team Dan Hansen Football Gazette Super Region 1 and second team USA College Football All-American. He was also named a PSAC Scholar-Athlete for the 2015-2016 academic year. Gilbert was named to the CCA All-Super Region 1 second team after this season and to the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football team. Prior to this season, he was named second team preseason All-Division II by Lindy’s Sports, second team D2Football.com Preseason All-American, and Preseason All-American by FootballGamePlan.com. Gilbert was also nominated for the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® and recently participated in the National Bowl in Daytona Beach, FL.

Doug Gilbert (Photo R&R Photography)

Burlington County Times - BCT, football club to honor All-County, All-Academic Teams

Player News - Three Players Honored for Academics

Three West Chester Golden Ram players have received honors for their performance on the field and in the classroom this season. For the second consecutive year, senior safety Kyle Keyser (Accounting/Finance) was named to the 24-man team. He is joined by senior left tackle Doug Gilbert (Criminal Justice) and junior running back Jarel Elder (Biology).

The Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football team is voted on by the sports information directors of the 30 colleges and universities in the Philadelphia area. In order to be eligible for Academic All-Area honors, an athlete must be in at least his second year at the institution and hold a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better.

West Chester Athletics - Three Golden Rams Named Philly-SIDA All-Academic