Team News - 2015 Announcements

Head coach Bill Zwaan made two major announcements regarding the 2015 Golden Rams at last night's 49th annual team banquet sponsored by the Golden Ram Football Club.

First, the team's captains were introduced and will be:

• tight end Tim Brown
• defensive end Andrew Cohen
• running back Brandon Monk
• free safety Brandon Pepper

To end the evening, he announced West Chester will open the 2015 season on Thursday night, September 3, in Farrell Stadium against the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears. It will give the Golden Rams an opportunity to avenge their 2013 NCAA Division II semi-final loss in Hickory, NC. This past season, the Bears finished the regular season 11-0 and received a first round bye in the playoffs, but, like the Golden Rams, failed to advance past the second round. Lenoir-Rhyne finished 2014 ranked #8 in the AFCA coaches' poll and #14 in the final D2Football.com poll while West Chester finished #15 and #20 respectively.

Player News - Colby Faasuamalie to Play for the Golden Rams

Colby Faasuamalie (Bethlehem Catholic) has tweeted a verbal commitment to play football at West Chester. The 6-3, 300lb is an imposing presence on either side of the ball, playing primarily right tackle on offense and also nose guard on defense. After finishing 1-12 in 2012, the Golden Hawks captured the District XI Class AAA title in both 2013 and 2014, finishing 8-5 and 12-2 respectively. This past season, they advanced to the second round of the PIAA Class AAA playoffs after defeating previously unbeaten Crestwood. Faasuamalie was also recognized by his team for his academic achievements and received the team's Player of the Week award for their games against Allentown Dieruff and Lehighton.

- 2014 First Team Eastern Pennsylvania Conference North
- 2014 Honorable Mention Eastern Pennsylvania Conference North All-Star
- 2014 Honorable Mention PFN Preseason All-State

Blessed to announce that I have officially committed to West Chester University #GoldenRams pic.twitter.com/zfSRrcaPNw

— Colby Faasuamalie (@CTFaas) January 28, 2015

lehighvalleylive.com - Five Bethlehem Catholic football players announce college decisions

lehighvalleylive.com - Bethlehem Catholic football team aims at mistake-free game in PIAA first round

EasternPAfootball.com - 40 Teams in 40 Days – Day 26 – Bethlehem Catholic

The Morning Call - Eastern Pa. Conference football rosters contain Division I talent

2014 Highlight Video

Player News - Quinn Cheyney to Play for West Chester

According to a tweet from Unionville head coach Pat Clark, Quinn Cheyney (Unionville) will play football at West Chester. The 6-2, 225lb team captain was a three year starter and was named the Ches-Mont League American Conference Outstanding Linebacker as a senior despite missing some time with an injury. Cheyney also plays ice hockey and lacrosse.



- 2014 Ches-Mont League American Outstanding Linebacker
- 2014 First Team Ches-Mont League American Conference
- 2014 First Team Daily Local News
- 2013 Second Team Ches-Mont League American Conference

Congratulations to Quinn Cheyney who committed to playing at West Chester University next year! #UPride

— Pat Clark (@coachclarkuhs) January 30, 2015

The Unionville Times - Unionville defensive stand locks up win

The Unionville Times - Unionville mixes youth, experience

2014 Highlight Video

Player News - Elijah Hall to Play for the Golden Rams

Elijah Hall (Bethlehem Liberty) has tweeted a verbal commitment to play football for the Golden Rams. After spending his junior season at quarterback, the 6-2, 180lb athlete moved to wide receiver as a senior. He hauled in 22 catches for 425 yards and five touchdowns for the 2014 Hurricanes which won the Eastern Football Conference Class AAAA title.

I'm so grateful to say that earlier today I committed to West Chester University. 💜💛🐑 #GoRams pic.twitter.com/o8ad1qmdSM

— Elijah Hall™ (@Hall_OfFame15) January 30, 2015

lehighvalleylive.com - Parkland High School football team tops Liberty

lehighvalleylive.com - Liberty High School preview

2014 Highlight Video

Player News - Zack Hockman to Play for the Golden Rams

Zack Hockman (Pennridge) has tweeted a verbal commitment to play football at West Chester. The 6-2, 220lb linebacker and offensive lineman served as a team captain for the Rams. At West Chester, he will be reunited with high school teammates Mike Class and Shane Kraynik.


- 2014 First Team All-Suburban One National (Offense)
- 2014 Second Team All-Suburban One National (Defense)
- 2013 Honorable Mention All-Suburban One Continental (Defense)

Blessed to announce that I'm verbally committed to play football at West Chester University!! #GoldenRams

— zack hockman (@Zack_man34) January 29, 2015

GametimePA.com - Hockman among 9 Pennridge student-athletes honored for signing letters of intent

GametimePA.com - Pennridge stuffed by Quakertown on Thanksgiving Day

The Intelligencer - Pennridge's Hockman, Unangst on win over CB east

Suburban One Sports - SOL Football Wrap (10-24-14) - Pennridge 28, Souderton 17

GametimePA.com - North Penn, Pennridge clash in opener of new-look SOL National

Suburban One Sports - Pennridge Football Preview

2014 Highlight Video

Player News - Shabazz Headlines List of WCU Pro Hopefuls

Golden Ram cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz is one of the most highly rated draft eligible small school players according to TonySoftli.com writer Josh Buchanon. Schools included in the category include NCAA FCS, Division II and Division III as well as NAIA schools. Shabazz is ranked second among cornerbacks, fifth among Division II players, 24th among all small school players and highest among all PSAC players. Projected to be a sixth or seventh round pick, Buchanon identifies Hajj as one of "two sleepers" who "can play in the NFL" and would be a steal as a free agent.

Also appearing on the list are Ronell Williams (9th among inside linebackers, 223rd overall), Sean McCartney (22nd among quarterbacks, 482nd overall), and Mike Labor (35th among inside linebackers, 604th overall). The three day NFL draft is scheduled to begin April 30.

Al-Hajj Shabazz going stride for stride in coverage at IUP (Photo Bert Garbutt)

TonySoftli.com - 2015 Small School NFL Draft Board ‘800 Prospects'

TonySoftli.com - 2015 NFL Draft Small School Positional Projections

Player News - Jarey Elder Tweets a Commitment to WCU

Jarey Elder (Parkland) has tweeted a verbal commitment to play football at West Chester. After an injury abbreviated junior season, the 5-11, 175lb wide receiver/cornerback was everything expected as a senior. Elder had 60 catches (tied for first in the EPC South) for 722 yards (second in the EPC South) and eight touchdowns on offense and 50 tackles, seven pass breakups and an interception on defense. The team captain also returned two punts for touchdowns. In the PIAA playoffs, the Trojans knocked off previously undefeated Easton to advance to the second round where they narrowly lost to St. Joseph's Prep which went on to win the state championship. Parkland finished the season 11-3. As a junior, Elder logged 21 catches for 261 yards and two touchdowns on offense and notched 42 tackles and two interceptions on defense. As a sophomore, he had 25 catches for 493 yards on offense and three interceptions and ten pass breakups on defense.

- 2014 First Team Pennsylvania Football Writers All-State (Defense)
- 2014 Second Team Pennsylvania Football News All-State (Defense)
- 2014 First Team Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South (Offense)
- 2014 First Team Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South (Defense)
- 2014 First Team Morning Call (Defense)
- 2014 First Team Lehigh Valley Live (Defense)
- 2014 EasternPAFootball.com District 11 Watch List
- 2013 Honorable Mention Morning Call (Defense)
- 2013 Honorable Mention Morning Call (Offense)
- 2013 EasternPAFootball.com District 11 Watch List

I am proud to say that I am verbally committed to West Chester University @RelElder7 WE BACK BOY!! pic.twitter.com/Ep4hDGhIz7

— Young Savage (@JareyElder21) January 27, 2015

The Morning Call - Parkland football team's passing attack, led by Devante Cross, must carry day against St. Joe's Prep

Lehigh Valley Live - Parkland football team routs Central Catholic in early season test

The Morning Call - Parkland, Whitehall, Easton set to battle for EPC football division title

Lehigh Valley Live - Football 2014: Parkland High School preview

Lehigh Valley Live - Football 2013: Parkland High School preview

2014 Highlight Video

Player News - Paul Dooley Tweets a Commitment to WCU

Paul Dooley (Springside Chestnut Hill) has tweeted a verbal commitment to play football at West Chester. The 6-1, 195lb quarterback was #86 on the preseason Rally 100 list and #10 on Rick O'Brien's quarterbacks to watch list. The team co-captain was also his team's recipient of the Mini Maxwell Award.

Dooley was 119 of 220 (54.1%) for 2,325 yards and 27 TD's in ten games this past season after going 108 of 214 (50.5%) for 1,625 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior. His senior season passing yards and passing touchdowns are both Inter-Academic single season records as are his 50 career touchdown passes. And remember, this guy played in the Inter-Academic. Dooley can also use his feet to hurt opposing defenses as he ran for 699 yards and 13 scores as a senior. He was an all conference performer at both quarterback and linebcaker as a junior and was the Inter-Academic Player of the Year in 2014.

- 2014 Inter-Academic Player of the Year
- 2014 First Team Daily News All-City
- 2014 First Team All-Inter-Academic
- 2014 Second Team Inquirer All-Southeastern PA (Defense)
- 2014 Honorable Mention All-EasternPAFootball.com Big School
- 2014 EasternPAFootball.com Non-PIAA Players to Watch (Defense)
- 2013 First Team All-Inter-Academic
- 2013 Second Team All-Inter-Academic (linebacker)
- 2012 Second Team All-Inter-Academic (linebacker)

Verbally Comitted to the University of West Chester #blessedandhumble 🏈👌

— Paul Dooley#⃣5⃣ (@dondon_05) January 27, 2015

Northeast Times - One for the record books

Preps Blog - Interview With 2015 PA QB Paul Dooley of Chestnut Hill Academy

2014 Highlight Video

Player News - Shabazz, Brown, McCartney Receive More Honors

Three Golden Ram football players received more honors for their performances in 2014 as D2Football.com announced their All-American teams. Senior cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz and junior tight end Tim Brown were named to the first team while senior quarterback Sean McCartney was named honorable mention.

Shabazz had five interceptions and 11 pass breakups to go along with his 39 total tackles. Brown had 1,059 yards and 17 touchdowns receiving to lead all tight ends in Division II while McCartney threw for 3,744 yards and Division II best 42 touchdowns.

Al-Hajj Shabazz handles the New Haven quarterback (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Tim Brown makes one of his 17 TD catches this season (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Sean McCartney threw 42 TD's this season (Photo Chuck Bitner)

2014 D2Football.com All-America Team

West Chester Athletic Site - Three Golden Rams Land On D2Football.com All-America List

Team News - Golden Rams Finish D2Football.com #20

After West Chester reached the the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs, the Golden Rams (11-2) finished ranked #20 in the final D2Football.com poll of the year. Coming off last year's 13-2 record and Super Region 1 championship, West Chester was ranked #11 in the preseason. After starting the season 7-0, West Chester rose to #7 before the loss to Bloomsburg dropped them down to #15. The Golden Rams finished the regular season #9. In the playoffs, they defeated Slippery Rock 46-20 before falling to eventual Super Region 1 Champion Concord by a score of 51-36.

 D2Football.com Top 25 Poll